Texas Department of Public Safety
Coverage of Texas Department of Public Safety in the Nexus archive.
- State finds some registered Texas voters were wrongly flagged as potential noncitizens
The state of Texas discovered some registered voters were incorrectly flagged as potential noncitizens. The secretary of state instructed counties to reinstate any Texans removed from voter rolls who provided Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) proof of citizenship.
- Texas Rangers seek help finding wanted suspect
The Texas Department of Public Safety arrested four people in northwest Austin following a joint operation, but authorities are seeking public assistance to locate one suspect who was released on bond.
- DPS adds man wanted for child sexual assault to Texas 10 Most Wanted list
The Texas Department of Public Safety added Ruben Calzada Hernandez to its '10 Most Wanted Criminal Illegal Immigrants List' due to a child sexual assault charge in Caldwell County. Hernandez is being sought by authorities in connection with the case.
- 20-year-old who moved to the US from Mexico last year to build a better life is killed in crash
A 20-year-old man who moved to the United States from Mexico last year to build a better life was killed in a crash on Interstate 20 near Pecos, Texas. Family members shared a social media message confirming his death and requesting prayers and support for funeral expenses. The Texas Department of Public Safety is investigating the crash, which caused the interstate to shut down temporarily.
- 20-year-old who moved to the US from Mexico last year to build a better life is killed in crash
A 20-year-old man who moved to the US from Mexico last year died in a crash on Interstate 20 near Pecos, Texas. His family requested prayers and support for funeral expenses, describing him as 'forever 20.' The Texas Department of Public Safety is investigating the incident.
- 20-year-old who moved to the US from Mexico last year to build a better life is killed in crash
A 20-year-old man who moved to the United States from Mexico last year to build a better life was killed in a crash on Interstate 20 near Pecos, Texas. His family shared a social media message expressing grief and requesting support for funeral expenses, while the Texas Department of Public Safety is investigating the incident.
- Pilot injured after small plane crashes onto roof of Texas home
A small plane crashed into a Texas home in Fulshear around 6:45 a.m. on Monday after the pilot attempted to land near a private airstrip. The pilot, the only person on board, was injured and hospitalized, while first responders secured the scene to prevent further hazards. The Federal Aviation Administration will investigate the incident.
- At least 2 dead in Texas floods as hundreds rescued in same region as Camp Mystic disaster
At least two people died in Texas floods caused by torrential rain, with over 230 rescues conducted using boats, aircraft, and vehicles. The floods hit southern Texas, the same region affected by last July’s Camp Mystic disaster, leading to evacuations and rising floodwaters in areas like Kerrville and Uvalde.
- Houston officials request a Texas Rangers investigation into ICE shooting. Here’s what that means
Houston Police Chief Noe Diaz, at Mayor John Whitmire’s request, sent a letter to the Texas Department of Public Safety requesting a Texas Rangers investigation into a fatal ICE shooting. The incident has already triggered local and federal investigations.
- DPS graduates newest K-9 teams to protect Texans
The Texas Department of Public Safety graduated five new K-9 teams and two certified K-9 tech trainers to serve and protect Texans. The teams were trained to enhance security and public safety efforts.
- 4 dead, 2-year-old critically injured in head-on crash found not wearing seat belts, officials say
Four people died and a 2-year-old child was critically injured in a head-on crash on Highway 155 in Texas when a Toyota Highlander crossed the centerline and collided with a Cadillac SUV. None of the five individuals, including the child, were wearing seat belts, and the cause of the crash remains under investigation.
- 4 dead, 2-year-old critically injured in head-on crash found not wearing seat belts, officials say
Four people died and a 2-year-old was critically injured in a head-on crash on Texas Highway 155 involving a Toyota Highlander and a Cadillac SUV. None of the five individuals, including the child, were wearing seat belts, according to Texas Department of Public Safety Sgt. Adam Albritton. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
- 4 dead, 2-year-old critically injured in head-on crash found not wearing seat belts, officials say
Four people died and a 2-year-old was critically injured in a head-on crash on Texas Highway 155 when a Toyota Highlander crossed the centerline and collided with a Cadillac SUV. None of the five occupants, including the child, were wearing seat belts, according to Texas Department of Public Safety officials.
- 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.