Texas Department of Public Safety

REMINDER: DPS' Annual Distracted Driving Campaign Runs Through April 14 It's the final weekend of our annual distracted driving traffic enforcement initiative, and DPS reminds drivers to stay focused and avoid distractions while driving. Please do your part and make safety your No. 1 priority behind the wheel. 📱 Eliminate distractions. 🚓 Move Over or Slow Down for police, fire, EMS, Texas Department of Transportation vehicles and tow trucks stopped on the side of the road with emergency lights activated. 🚫 Don’t drink and drive. 🚗 Buckle up everyone in the vehicle — it’s the law. 🚧 Slow down. 🚙 Drive defensively. Find more safety tips at https://bit.ly/3FQbR1p. #TexasDPS #TrafficEnforcement #Troopers #StatePolice #Texas #DistractedDriving #BeSafeDriveSmart #EndTheStreak #EliminateDistractions

Today, we had the privilege of honoring fallen DPS Trooper Troy Hogue with the dedication of a memorial highway in his name along Interstate 20. Trooper Hogue began his career with DPS in 1988. He was tragically shot and killed on December 30, 1994, while interviewing a suspect from a one vehicle accident. He was stationed in Big Spring. Trooper Hogue was a dedicated public servant and true hero who faithfully served the people of Texas. This memorial highway serves as a permanent reminder of his service and sacrifice. Trooper Hogue’s legacy continues to live on in the hearts of everyone at DPS. He will never be forgotten. We are thankful to Trooper Hogue’s family for joining us at today’s ceremony. We are also thankful to DPS leadership and Public Safety Commission (PSC) Commissioner Larry Long for attending today's dedication. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. – John 15:13 📸 Courtesy of the Texas Department of Public Safety - West Texas Region

CAPTURED: Criminal Illegal Immigrant Wanted for Crimes Against Children Captured in Tarrant Co. Thanks to the work of law enforcement Carlos Venegas Ortiz, 46, a fugitive from Texas’ 10 Most Wanted Criminal Illegal Immigrants List, is back in custody. Ortiz was arrested on Wednesday in Tarrant Co., and a Crime Stoppers reward will be paid for his arrest. Ortiz was wanted for continuous sexual abuse of a young child. Working in coordination with Special Agents from DPS’ Criminal Investigations Division (CID), Haltom City Police Department Officers, along with members of the U.S. Marshals North Texas Fugitive Task Force, located and arrested Ortiz. Read more at https://bit.ly/42aLo7t. #MostWanted #Fugitive #Captured

LATEST NEWS: DPS Announces Winners of Texas Top Trooper Competition The Texas Department of Public Safety is proud to announce the winners of our 13th annual Javier Arana Jr. Top Trooper Competition — with Corporal Kip Staton (Tyler) being named the top male competitor and Trooper Dani Basye (Amarillo) being named top female competitor. This marks Trooper Basye’s third time winning the top female spot. This year, 113 males and a record-setting 25 females — ranging in age from 22-55 years old — competed for the title of Top Trooper. Troopers were tested on driving and firearms skills, physical conditioning, endurance and job knowledge over the course of nine events. The multi-day competition is named after fallen DPS Trooper Javier Arana Jr. who participated in the inaugural competition in 2012. Please join us as we congratulate Corporal Staton and Trooper Basye on earning the title of Top Troopers this year! Read more about this year's competition at https://bit.ly/4j5ltUr.

📣 NOW HIRING: Join Our Infrastructure Operations Team in Austin & Houston 📣 Are you looking for a rewarding career with excellent benefits? Look no further than DPS ― our Infrastructure Operations Division is looking for qualified applicants to fill open positions across the state! Check out this week’s featured openings below: POSITION: Parts Clerk II DIVISION: Infrastructure Operations LOCATION: Austin CLOSING DATE: 4/16/2025 APPLY ONLINE: https://bit.ly/44kXewX POSITION: Contract Specialist II-V DIVISION: Infrastructure Operations LOCATION: Austin CLOSING DATE: 4/18/2025 APPLY ONLINE: https://bit.ly/4idJRlA POSITION: Facilities Manager DIVISION: Infrastructure Operations LOCATION: Houston CLOSING DATE: 4/21/2025 APPLY ONLINE: https://bit.ly/4i5ubAN Interested in other opportunities? Learn more about a career with DPS and view all job openings at https://bit.ly/3hP3GnN. #Hiring #ApplyToday #JoinDPS

LATEST NEWS: DPS Recognizes Outstanding Acts of Service at April PSC Meeting AUSTIN – The Public Safety Commission (PSC), along with Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Colonel Freeman F. Martin, recognized the service and heroics of several DPS personnel and citizens at the PSC meeting today in Austin. PSC Commissioners and Colonel Martin presented two Director’s Citations and four Lifesaving Awards. “We’re proud to recognize these individuals who demonstrated extraordinary commitment to serving others,” said DPS Colonel Freeman F. Martin. “Their selfless actions — whether from within our agency or beyond — represent the very best of public service and remind us of the powerful impact one person can make.” Read more about those recognized today at https://bit.ly/4cp692w.

LIVE AT 10 A.M.: Tune in to DPS' YouTube Channel this morning to watch the April meeting of the Public Safety Commission. We're excited to recognize department employees who have displayed excellence in their work during this morning's award ceremony. Join us on YouTube at https://lnkd.in/d6YDVR4H.

DPS' annual Distracted Driving Reinforcement Initiative is underway, and along with Gov. Greg Abbott, DPS wants to remind all drivers to Move Over or Slow Down. When you see emergency lights activated on the side of the road — whether it’s police, fire, EMS, Texas Department of Transportation vehicles or a tow truck — you must move over a lane or slow down to 20 mph below the posted speed limit. When you #MoveOverSlowDown, not only are you following the law, you are also helping ensure the safety of everyone working on the side of the road. #MoveOverSlowDown #TexasDPS #TrafficEnforcement #Troopers #StatePolice #Texas #EliminateDistractions

$5,000 REWARD OFFERED: Northeast Texas Capital Murder Suspect Added to 10 Most Wanted List Texas DPS has added Rondarrius Davon Idae Evans, 21, to the Texas 10 Most Wanted Fugitives List. Texas Crime Stoppers is now offering a cash reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to his arrest. Evans has been wanted out of Bowie Co. since August 2024 for two counts of capital murder for his alleged involvement in a double homicide that occurred on July 6, 2024, in New Boston. Evans is 6 feet tall and weighs about 175 pounds. He has ties to the Northeast Texas area, including Bowie, Camp, Titus, Franklin and Morris counties. To be eligible for cash rewards, tipsters MUST provide information to authorities using one of the following three methods: ☎️ Call Crime Stoppers: (800) 252-TIPS (8477); 💻 Submit a web tip: https://bit.ly/4gkAalL; 📱 Submit a Facebook tip on Texas 10 Most Wanted (https://bit.ly/3PzsLUu). All tips are anonymous — regardless of how they are submitted. More ➡ https://bit.ly/4j46WbS. #MostWanted #RewardOffered

If you keep a gun in your truck, your gun is at risk of being stolen. Chain your locked gun case to a permanent object in your vehicle. To learn more, visit SafeGunStorageTexas.com. #safegunstorage #keepemsafetexas