Press Releases

AUSTIN – The Public Safety Commission (PSC), along with Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Colonel Freeman F. Martin, recognized the incredible service of several Texans at the April PSC meeting this morning at DPS Headquarters in Austin.

AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) announces two leadership changes, which were confirmed by the Public Safety Commission (PSC) during its April meeting at DPS Headquarters.

BIG SPRING – On April 2, 2026, the Texas Rangers, in coordination with the Howard County Sheriff’s Office, arrested Howard County resident Andres Perches, 31, in connection with the murder of missing person Amanda Bates, 39.

AUSTIN – Texas 10 Most Wanted Sex Offender Jacarlos Mark is this month’s Featured Fugitive. The reward for information leading to his arrest is increased to $4,000 during April if the tip is received this month.

AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) will increase patrols beginning this weekend to ensure drivers stay focused and avoid distractions. From April 6 through April 13, the Texas Highway Patrol (THP) will conduct its annual Distracted Driving traffic enforcement campaign – looking for drivers who are texting, failing to Move Over or Slow down or are otherwise distracted behind the wheel.

AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has initiated Phase II of the Texas Compassionate Use Program (TCUP) expansion process. Three new businesses have been selected to move forward for further due diligence, adding to the nine announced in Phase I in December 2025. Furthermore, 12 other businesses are now on the TCUP license eligibility list for possible future review.

AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) announces the capture of another Texas 10 Most Wanted Sex Offender, Kenneth Hiner, who was arrested in Hays Co. last week. A Texas Crime Stoppers reward will not be paid for his arrest.

AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) announces the capture of Texas 10 Most Wanted Fugitive Justin Statum, a documented gang member from Houston and convicted child sex trafficker who was arrested in Harris Co. last week. A Texas Crime Stoppers reward will be paid for his arrest.

AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is proud to announce the winners of the 14th annual Javier Arana Jr. Top Trooper Competition: Top male Brody Telfer (Belton) and Top female Melanie Moreno (Seguin). The contest wrapped up on Friday after several days of intense competition at the DPS Tactical Training Center in Florence, Texas.

AUSTIN – Today, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) welcomed 122 new Texas Highway Patrol Troopers from Recruit Class C-2025 during a graduation ceremony at Austin Ridge Bible Church. This is the department’s 180th graduating class.

AUSTIN – Today, hundreds gathered at Church of the Open Door in Waco to pay their respects to retired Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Highway Patrol (THP) Trooper Daniel Robert Shown. Shown, 66, died on Feb. 27, 2026, from complications directly resulting from a line-of-duty injury.

AUSTIN – Last week, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) hosted the 2026 Texas Preventing Targeted Violence Conference in Fort Worth. The four-day conference brought together more than 380 stakeholders from across the nation and Canada to focus on preventing targeted violence, mass attacks and terrorism through collaboration and early intervention.

AUSTIN – The man whom law enforcement believes raped two different women in Texas and Oklahoma in 2021 has been taken into custody. Hunter Mackey, 27, was arrested by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) for first-degree rape in McLoud, Okla. on Feb. 17.

AUSTIN – As Texans hit the road and gather to celebrate Spring Break and St. Patrick’s Day, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) urges the public to prioritize safety. Drivers need to make responsible choices, stay alert behind the wheel and help keep Texas roads and communities safe during this busy month.

WESLACO – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) seized nearly 2,000 pounds of methamphetamine during an Operation Lone Star traffic stop on a commercial motor vehicle in Live Oak Co. this week. The drugs were being transported to Dallas.