Texas Department of Public Safety
Coverage of Texas Department of Public Safety in the Nexus archive.
- Fire chief expecting 3rd child fatally struck by car while directing traffic
A Texas fire chief and police officer was fatally struck by a car while directing traffic after a rodeo. His wife is expecting their third child, and the driver involved was not injured. The investigation into the incident is ongoing.
- Fire chief expecting 3rd child fatally struck by car while directing traffic
A Texas fire chief and police officer, Charlie Woodard, was fatally struck by a car while directing traffic after a rodeo in Mabank. The driver was unharmed, and the community expressed deep sorrow over his death, noting his significant role in the area. Woodard's wife is expecting their third child in two weeks.
- Fire chief expecting 3rd child fatally struck by car while directing traffic
Fire Chief Charlie Woodard died after being struck by a car while directing traffic following a rodeo in Mabank, Texas. His wife is expecting their third child, and the community described him as a beloved pillar. The driver involved was unharmed, and the investigation continues.
- Texas Rangers expand cold case unit, doubling program size statewide
The Texas Department of Public Safety announced the expansion of the Texas Rangers' Cold Case Program, doubling its size statewide to enhance cold case investigations.
- Suspect in Midland, Texas, shooting had fired at a police officer days earlier, officials say
A 45-year-old man, Victor Mata Villarreal, who had previously shot at a police officer during a chase, opened fire in Midland, Texas, killing one person and injuring 10 before barricading himself in an abandoned clinic, where he was later found dead. The victim was identified as Ed Scott, a local resident involved in community sports organizations.
- Suspect in Midland, Texas, shooting had fired at a police officer days earlier, officials say
Victor Mata Villarreal, a 45-year-old man wanted for shooting at a police officer in Midland, Texas, three days earlier, opened fire in the city on Friday, killing one person and injuring 10 before barricading himself in an abandoned veterinary clinic. He was found dead hours later, and authorities used robots and drones to confirm his status. Mata Villarreal had prior convictions and arrests related to firearms and domestic violence.
- Suspect dead after West Texas shooting kills 1 and injures at least 9 others
A shooter killed one person and injured at least nine others in Midland, West Texas, before dying in a police standoff. The suspect, Victor Mata Villarreal, had previously shot at police during a chase and was being sought by authorities when he opened fire on officers and bystanders.
- Texas using DPS records to confirm citizenship of voters flagged by federal database
Texas is using Department of Public Safety (DPS) records to confirm the citizenship of voters flagged by a federal database. The process is being carried out at the DPS Region II Headquarters in Houston on October 1, 2025.
- Chaotic border chase ends with illegal immigrants found crammed in semitruck sleeping area
Texas state troopers ended a chaotic border chase, discovering 20 illegal immigrants, including four minors, hidden in a semitruck's sleeping area. The driver, Miguel Angel Velazquez Chavez, was arrested for smuggling and evading arrest, while other incidents in Maverick County led to additional arrests and referrals to U.S. Border Patrol.
- Chaotic border chase ends with illegal immigrants found crammed in semitruck sleeping area
Texas state troopers discovered 20 illegal immigrants, including four minors, in a semitruck during a chaotic chase near the U.S. southern border. The driver, Miguel Angel Velazquez Chavez, was arrested for smuggling and evading arrest, while two other suspects were apprehended in a separate smuggling operation in Maverick County.
- Video shows illegal aliens found crammed inside semi-truck sleeper cab in alleged smuggling bust
Texas DPS discovered 20 illegal aliens, including four minors, inside a semi-truck during a traffic stop, leading to the arrest of driver Miguel Angel Velazquez Chavez on smuggling charges. The incident aligns with President Trump's administration's border security policies, which have resulted in 11 months of zero border releases and reduced apprehensions.
- Federal judge halts parts of Texas immigration law the day before it was set to take effect
A federal judge blocked key provisions of Texas's immigration law just before its implementation date. The law would have allowed state police to arrest individuals suspected of illegal entry. The ruling represents a significant legal setback for Texas's attempt to enforce stricter immigration policies.
- Cold-case fugitive busted south of the border as new DNA tech allegedly ties him to teen’s roadside killing
Bobby Charles Taylor Sr. was arrested in Mexico for the 1986 murder of 16-year-old Deanna Ogg in Texas, after advancements in DNA technology led to a major break in the nearly four-decade-long cold case. Taylor is accused of killing Ogg, who was found dead on the side of the road. The case was solved after almost 40 years.
- 2 dead, 3 injured in shooting at Carrollton shopping center, police say
A shooting at a Carrollton shopping center resulted in 2 deaths and 3 injuries. The incident occurred at approximately 10 a.m. and is being investigated by the Carrollton Police Department and other agencies.