DPS Hosts Largest Legacy Run in Department History to Commemorate 90th Anniversary

AUSTIN – In celebration of its 90th anniversary, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) held its largest Legacy Run this morning ahead of Friday’s graduation for Recruit Class A-2025. Just under 200 DPS personnel, both past and present, from across the state, joined the recruit class for the special six-mile run from Camp Mabry, the original home of DPS, to the Texas State Capitol. Colonel Freeman Martin also took part – his first time running the Legacy Run since becoming Colonel in Dec. 2024.

DPS Offers Reminders for a Safer School Year

AUSTIN – As students begin heading back to school, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) reminds all Texans to exercise heightened caution and adhere to safety measures implemented to protect students, staff and fellow drivers this school year. This includes tips on how to safely drop off and pick up your child from school, drive cautiously through school zones and talk to your family and loved ones about staying safe this school year and beyond.

Texas Rangers Seek Tips in Eastland Co. Cold Case

AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is seeking information on the 2019 murder of 37-year-old Courtney Allan Sholar. The reward for information leading to the arrest of those responsible for his death is now increased to $6,000 if the tip is received before the next featured Texas Rangers cold case is announced. Anyone with information in this case is asked to please come forward.

Man Gets 10 Year Sentence in Cloned Truck Human Smuggling Case (South Texas Region)

DEL RIO – The man arrested by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) for smuggling more than a dozen illegal immigrants inside a cloned home improvement store delivery truck last year will spend the next decade behind bars. Cezanne Megel Patterson, 29, of Jackson, Miss., was sentenced to 10 years of confinement in a Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) prison on July 24, 2025.

DPS Unveils American Quarter Horse Statue in Amarillo (Northwest Texas Region)

AMARILLO – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) today held a special unveiling ceremony for a Hoof Prints of the American Quarter Horse statue at the DPS Amarillo District Office. The new statue symbolizes strength, honor, integrity and service and pays tribute to DPS personnel serving Texans in the Panhandle.

Killer in Multi-State Murder Investigation Receives Life Sentence (West Texas Region)

WINKLER CO. – The man responsible for the 2022 murder of 48-year-old Alexis Sanchez Azcuy in Winkler Co., Texas will spend the rest of his life in prison thanks to collaborative investigative efforts by the Texas Rangers with local, state and federal law enforcement. Alejandro Rodriguez Hernandez, 33, received a life sentence for murder and 20 years of confinement for abuse of a corpse by a Winkler Co. jury on July 16, 2025.

Twice-Deported Honduran Man Added to Texas’ Most Wanted Criminal Illegal Immigrants List

AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has added Jose Antonio Marquina-Bonilla—a criminal illegal immigrant who has been deported back to Honduras multiple times—to Texas’ 10 Most Wanted Criminal Illegal Immigrants List. Texas Crime Stoppers is now offering a cash reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to his arrest. All tips are guaranteed to be anonymous.

Wanted East Texas Sex Predator Captured in Houston

AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) announces the capture of a violent, repeat sex offender from Texas’ 10 Most Wanted Fugitives List in Harris Co. Jacob Aaron Kessler was arrested on Friday, July 18. A Crime Stoppers reward will not be paid for his arrest.