Texas Department of Public Safety

Our people are the heart of DPS, and every day, they make a difference in their communities through their hard work, dedication and service to the state of Texas. Today, we are pleased to recognize Trooper Arturo Lopez (Texas Highway Patrol Division) on his 45 years of service and accomplishment with DPS. Trooper Lopez has devoted his life to public service, and we are thankful for his decades-long commitment to fulfilling the mission of DPS to protect and serve Texas. Congratulations and thank you for your service, Trooper Lopez!

WATCH: DPS Discovers 17 Illegal Immigrants Crammed Inside Hidden Compartment in Cloned Delivery Truck DPS Troopers working #OperationLoneStar busted a human smuggling attempt during a traffic stop in Kinney County. Troopers discovered 17 illegal immigrants being smuggled inside a hidden compartment in a cloned home improvement store delivery truck. The 17 individuals were found crammed inside a three-foot-wide space with no air ventilation. They were quickly removed from the false compartment, and several were treated for dehydration. Then, all 17 were referred to Border Patrol. The driver, Cezanne Megel Patterson, 28, of Jackson, Miss., was arrested and charged with smuggling of persons with the likelihood of serious bodily injury or death. More at https://bit.ly/47faUJj.

Can you tell the difference? Fake fentanyl pills are everywhere, and the reality is that many of these fake pills look so real that it’s hard to tell the difference between the fake ones and real prescription pills. So much so that even experts have a hard time telling the difference. Don’t fall victim to the deadly dangers of fentanyl. Learn more about the dangers of fentanyl at https://lnkd.in/g2Ad_TxA. #onepillkills

Week two is underway for Class C-2024 at the DPS Academy, and our newest Trooper Trainees are already showing their grit, determination and focus. The Academy is physically and mentally grueling ― and we're excited to see Class C-2024 already rising to meet the challenges and demands presented to them.

This morning, we’d like to take a moment to recognize DPS’ Bicycle Patrol Unit (Capitol). This team recently received a Unit Citation for their hard work and dedication to protecting the state of Texas. DPS’ Bicycle Patrol Unit began as a pilot program with six Troopers in October 2009. On their first deployment to a college football game, this unit apprehended a suspect involved in a stabbing at a tailgate part. This incident would solidify the Bicycle Patrol Unit’s place in the department. This team became a full-time unit in 2016 and remains the premier unit at the Capitol Complex, providing patrol duties, community policing, complex security, training and school visits. The Bicycle Patrol Unit exemplifies teamwork, professionalism and dedication. Please join us as we recognize the Bicycle Patrol Unit, including Guy Hoffman, Dorian Turner, Michael Telles, Gabriel Macias, Tony Rico, Burke Wray, Ramiro Brito, Andrew Meyer, Thomas Goodson, Jason Galaviz, Tim Gage, Jose Montemayor, Nick Salzer, Steven Smallwood, Jesse Chambers, Marvin Maiten, Michael Reisen, Joseph Osborne, Brandon Zellous, Joseph Stuart, Nathaniel Head, Adrian Castillo, Joshua Delagarza, Bryan Fife, Evan Nazareno, Marcos Damian, Paul Martin, and Scott Brackelsberg, for their hard work and dedication to protecting and serving the state of Texas. Read more about this team and their contributions to public safety at https://bit.ly/4fXK6Bv.

REMINDER: DPS' annual #LaborDay traffic enforcement initiative runs through today, and Troopers will be on the lookout for drivers violating the law. As you celebrate Labor Day with family and friends, please do so responsibly, and follow these safety tips to ensure everyone has a safe holiday: 🚫 Don’t drink and drive. Make alternate plans if you’re consuming alcohol. 🚓 Move Over or Slow Down for police, fire, EMS, TxDOT vehicles and tow trucks stopped on the side of the road with emergency lights activated. 🚗 Buckle up everyone in the vehicle — it’s the law. 🚧 Slow down, especially in bad weather, heavy traffic, unfamiliar areas or construction zones. 🚙 Drive defensively, as holiday travel can present additional challenges. Allow plenty of time to reach your destination. 📱 Eliminate distractions while driving, including the use of mobile devices. 🚨 If you can Steer It, Clear It: If you are involved in a non-injury crash and your vehicle can be moved, clear the traffic lanes to minimize traffic impact. 🚙 On multi-lane roads, use the left lane for passing only. Not only is it courteous driving and avoids impeding traffic, Texas law requires slower traffic to keep to the right and to use the left lane for passing only (when posted). 🚛 Don’t cut in front of large trucks and try not to brake quickly in front of them. They can’t maneuver as easily as passenger vehicles and pickup trucks. 🚔 Keep the Texas Roadside Assistance number [(800) 525-5555] stored in your phone. This number can also be found on the back of a Texas Driver License. 🌩 Monitor weather and road conditions wherever you’re traveling. For road conditions and closures in Texas, visit DriveTexas.org. Find more #LaborDay safety tips at https://bit.ly/4dIMz0X. #TrafficEnforcement #SafeDriving #Texas

Happy #LaborDay, Texas! As you enjoy the holiday today, please do so responsibly and make safety your No. 1 priority!

🗓️🚘 Four Months To Go: Changes Coming to Texas’ Vehicle Safety Inspection Program 🗓️🚘 Beginning January 1, 2025, most vehicle safety inspections will be eliminated in Texas. What does this mean for you? All non-commercial vehicles will no longer need a vehicle safety inspection prior to registration. A select number of counties will still require emissions tests, which drivers will need to complete prior to their vehicle registration. More about the changes coming to Texas at https://bit.ly/3L779LV.

DPS' annual #LaborDay traffic enforcement initiative started today and runs through Monday, Sept. 2. Many of us will be celebrating the long weekend with family and friends, and DPS wants to remind you to do so responsibly. Please put safety first, and follow these tips to ensure everyone has a safe holiday weekend: 🚫 Don’t drink and drive. Make alternate plans if you’re consuming alcohol. 🚓 Move Over or Slow Down for police, fire, EMS, TxDOT vehicles and tow trucks stopped on the side of the road with emergency lights activated. 🚗 Buckle up everyone in the vehicle — it’s the law. 🚧 Slow down, especially in bad weather, heavy traffic, unfamiliar areas or construction zones. 🚙 Drive defensively, as holiday travel can present additional challenges. Allow plenty of time to reach your destination. 📱 Eliminate distractions while driving, including the use of mobile devices. 🚨 If you can Steer It, Clear It: If you are involved in a non-injury crash and your vehicle can be moved, clear the traffic lanes to minimize traffic impact. 🚙 On multi-lane roads, use the left lane for passing only. Not only is it courteous driving and avoids impeding traffic, Texas law requires slower traffic to keep to the right and to use the left lane for passing only (when posted). 🚛 Don’t cut in front of large trucks and try not to brake quickly in front of them. They can’t maneuver as easily as passenger vehicles and pickup trucks. 🚔 Keep the Texas Roadside Assistance number [(800) 525-5555] stored in your phone. This number can also be found on the back of a Texas Driver License. 🌩 Monitor weather and road conditions wherever you’re traveling. For road conditions and closures in Texas, visit DriveTexas.org. Find more #LaborDay safety tips at https://bit.ly/4dIMz0X. #TrafficEnforcement #SafeDriving #Texas

Today, we’d like to recognize Sgt. Dakota Keenon (Capitol) and Trooper Scott Lewis (Freeport), as the recipients of a Lifesaving Award. On Nov. 13, 2023, Trooper Lewis was monitoring visitors and employees as they entered and exited the State Capitol. Trooper Lewis noticed a man leaning towards a table and then appearing to lose his balance. As Trooper Lewis asked the man if he was alright, the man collapsed on the floor. He immediately eased the subject to the ground, began a medical assessment and determined he was not breathing. Sgt. Keenon arrived and immediately began CPR as Lewis delivered a shock from an AED. The subject regained a pulse and started breathing. EMS arrived on the scene and transported the subject to a medical center. In recognition of their significant and decisive response to a life-threatening situation resulting in the saving of a life, Sgt. Keenon and Trooper Lewis were both awarded the Lifesaving Award.