DPS Troopers Around the State Recognized

AUSTIN – The Texas Public Safety Commission (PSC) and the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Director Steven McCraw presented a Purple Heart and five Life Saving Awards to DPS employees for their exemplary service.  In addition, two DPS employees were recognized with William P. Clements Excellence Awards for outstanding service throughout their careers, and two Highway Patrol troopers received Top Trooper awards for 2015

“These exceptional employees epitomize what it means to serve and protect Texas, and in some cases, they have faced grave danger when called upon to help others,” said Director McCraw. “Today is a proud moment for all of our award recipients, and DPS is grateful for their continued dedication to the department and the communities they serve.”

The William P. Clements Excellence Award was created to honor employees who display exceptional performance of duties throughout the course of their career at DPS. The commissioned recipient was Agent Leo Pena, Intelligence and Counterterrorism Division (ICT) in Austin, and the non-commissioned recipient was Jorge Molina, Texas Rangers Forensic Artist in Austin.

Pena began his career at DPS in 1986 and has been with the ICT since its inception in 2009. Within ICT, Pena works to gather knowledge on the activities of drug cartels and transnational criminal organizations operating in Mexico, Texas and throughout the United States. Pena’s expertise is frequently requested by local, state and federal agencies, and he has trained approximately 3,000 members of law enforcement about cartel tactics and techniques.

Molina began his career with the department in February of 2011, and since 2013, he has assisted with more than 80 investigations by completing composite drawings, facial reconstructions and more. Molina provides investigative support to other agencies when requested and has worked with the Missing Persons Clearinghouse to help identify human remains. He also has implemented new forensic art techniques at DPS and been instrumental in acquiring state-of-the-art digital imaging computer applications and hardware.

Additional awards were presented to the following DPS employees:

Trooper Nicole Sanchez, Texas Highway Patrol in El Paso, and Trooper Roggan Stanzel, Texas Highway Patrol in Wallisville, each received the Javier Arana Jr. Top Trooper Award, given each year to the top male and female competitors. Sanchez and Stanzel competed against other DPS Highway Patrol troopers in the Top Trooper Competition that tests troopers on core competencies, including job knowledge, driving skills, physical fitness and firearms proficiency.

Trooper Chad Foster, Texas Highway Patrol in Dumas, received  a Purple Heart for his personal sacrifice and performance of law enforcement duties during a dangerous traffic stop. On January 18, 2009, Foster was working stationary radar on U.S. 87 in Hartley County when he observed a suspicious vehicle. Foster ultimately pulled the car over and the driver exited the vehicle and pointed a pistol at Foster, leading to an exchange of gunfire. Foster was injured and the driver was fatally wounded in the shootout.

Trooper Brant Johnston, Texas Highway Patrol in Waco, received two Lifesaving Awards for separate incidents in 2014. On September 19, Johnston was responding to a call for service at a gas station in McLennan County when he encountered a woman unrelated to the call who said her baby was choking. Johnston began to provide first aid to the 16-month-old girl and instructed a bystander to contact 911.  Johnston was able to dislodge the obstruction blocking the child’s airway while waiting for an ambulance to arrive.

On December 17, Johnston responded to an active shooter incident occurring at the KCEN television station in Eddy and was the first emergency responder to arrive on the scene. After assessing the situation, Johnston began to administer first aid to the newscaster Patrick Crawford who had been shot. Johnston applied bandaging and pressure to Crawford’s wounds to minimize blood loss.  After stabilizing Crawford and instructing bystanders how to care for him until EMS could arrive, Johnston then turned his attention to searching for the suspected gunman.

Lieutenant Pilot Glen Stafford, Aircraft Operations in Austin, Tactical Flight Officer Cody Klaehn, Aircraft Operations in Austin, and Tactical Flight Officer Curtis LaRue, Aircraft Operations in Amarillo, all received Lifesaving Awards for helping save the life of a fellow DPS employee. On January 6, 2015, Klaehn, LaRue and Stafford were in the Edinburg hanger when they learned that a DPS employee needed medical assistance. They assessed the man’s condition, determining that he had no pulse and was not breathing.  Cody Klaehn began chest compressions until the automated external defibrillator (AED) could be deployed by LaRue and Stafford. Once attached, the AED was used to provide a shock in addition to chest compressions. After approximately two minutes, the individual began to come to. Due to the length of time it would take for EMS to arrive, Stafford made the decision to use the DPS helicopter to transport the individual to the nearest trauma center located in McAllen.

Trooper Edwin Lara, Texas Highway Patrol in Rosenberg, received a Lifesaving Award for his response to a life-threatening situation on Nov. 8, 2014. While on duty, Lara was traveling southbound on U.S. Highway 59 near Rosenberg when he came upon a pickup that was on its side and on fire.  Lara used his fire extinguisher to help battle the flames. Ultimately, Lara and two Rosenberg police officers smashed in the back window of the truck and pulled the driver to safety.

In addition to the awards above, three DPS personnel were recognized by outside agencies or organizations.
 
Amy Herchek, Intelligence and Counterterrorism Division in Austin, received a Federal 100 Award from FCE, the government media brand focused on the business of federal technology. The award recognizes government, industry and academic leaders who have played pivotal roles that affect how the federal government acquires, develops and manages information technology.

Trooper Leopoldo Sanchez, Texas Highway Patrol in Weslaco, was named the 2014 Motorola Trooper of the Year for the Southern Region. While on duty July 22, 2014, near the Texas-Mexico border, Sanchez heard and responded to two officer-down transmissions and discovered two Edinburg police officers, who had been shot while attempting to serve a capital murder arrest warrant. Sanchez exchanged gunfire with the suspect to provide cover for two fellow troopers assisting the two injured officers and ensuring the safety of other officers at the scene. After a lengthy standoff, the suspect was fatally shot during a gunfight with officers.

Special Agent Paul Quintanilla, Criminal Investigations Division in Beeville, received a U.S. Attorney’s Award for his work on a drug trafficking and money laundering investigation in South Texas that spanned more than two years. The investigation resulted in the indictment of 21 individuals and the seizure of more than 60 pounds of methamphetamines, heroin and cocaine.