The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has recently held its June Public Safety Commission (PSC) meeting, where numerous awards were presented to both civilians and members of the force for their extraordinary contributions to public safety. According to a report by DPS, the ceremony took place at the DPS Headquarters in Austin, where distinguished service and lifesaving efforts were notably recognized.
During the event, singular acts of valor and service were spotlighted including those of Trooper Trevor Topper and Trooper Melanie Moreno, who received the Javier Arana Jr. Top Trooper Awards for their exceptional performance in a taxing physical and skill-based competition involving 120 troopers. Additionally, the PSC and DPS Director Steven McCraw presented two distinctive Adolph Thomas Distinguished Service Awards, those, being given to DPS employees who go above and beyond in mentorship, training, and community engagement. Dominique Washington from the department's headquarters and Trooper Steven Prater received the non-commissioned and commissioned distinctions, respectively.
Lifesaving Awards were also a focal point of the ceremony. Senior Trooper Jason Melson was acknowledged for his prompt response to a fentanyl overdose near the Texas State Capitol Complex where he administered lifesaving Narcan. On another occasion, Trooper Ernesto De La Peña's quick action saved an infant from choking in McAllen. Civilian efforts were equally praised, with Stevi Brewster and the Saldañas receiving Director's Awards for their interventions in critical situations that aided DPS personnel.
DPS also took a moment to acknowledge internal progress with Colonel Steven C. McCraw earning a Lifesaving Award for his pivotal role in transitioning the department's fleet to SUVs — a move guided by data that suggested a substantial increase in safety personnel. In a statement released by DPS, McCraw shared, "Receiving a Lifesaving Award was a humbling experience and tremendous honor. So many men and women were instrumental in ensuring the transition to an all SUV-fleet—including members of the Texas Legislature who appropriated adequate funding—so that award truly belongs to every one of them that made it possible."
The ceremony was not only about celebrating the individuals and their acts of bravery or leadership but also reinforced DPS’s mission to ensure Texas remains a safe home for its citizens. For those interested in viewing additional photos from the award ceremony, the DPS article provides a link where those images are available.
