Texas Department of Public Safety - Southeast Texas Region

Running for a Cause 🏃🏻🚓

Texas DPS Southeast Texas Troopers and aircrew showed their support for fallen Houston Police Department Tactical Flight Officer Jason Knox—EOW May 2, 2020—at the Vintage HPD 5K.

Officer Knox had a vision to preserve history by restoring retired HPD vehicles; a legacy now carried forward by his family and friends with Vintage HPD Inc. We will never forget your honorable service and sacrifice, Officer Knox! 💙

https://bit.ly/4vAU0A6

They do it differently over in Louisiana! Officer Gator 🐊 reporting to duty 😳

Drinking and driving never ends well… but apparently neither does running from the police when the swamp decides to join the pursuit as back up. 🚔🐊

Man Attacked by Alligator After Fleeing Troopers During DWI Investigation

On Sunday, Troopers with Louisiana State Police Troop B responded to reports of a Toyota Supra being driven recklessly on Interstate 10 near Bonnabel Boulevard in Jefferson Parish. The vehicle had also struck a concrete barrier and sustained a tire blowout.

Troopers later located the Supra traveling south on Interstate 310 in St. Charles Parish and conducted a traffic stop. While speaking with the driver, identified as 40-year-old Victor Rivas of Montz, Troopers observed signs of impairment. During the DWI investigation, Rivas fled on foot and jumped from the elevated portion of Interstate 310 into the swamp below.

Troopers and deputies with the St. Charles Parish Sheriff's Office began searching for Rivas, who was later spotted walking along U.S. Highway 61. When law enforcement approached, he fled again into a swampy area, where he was attacked by an alligator and sustained injuries to both arms. Despite his injuries, Rivas continued fleeing before being located and apprehended with the assistance of drone technology.

Rivas was transported to a local hospital for treatment and later charged with DWI and Resisting an Officer. Additional warrants were obtained for Hit and Run and Careless Operation in connection with the earlier crash in Jefferson Parish.

Impaired driving can lead to serious and unpredictable consequences. Motorists are urged to make responsible decisions, plan ahead, and always designate a sober driver. Louisiana State Police appreciates the strong partnership and coordinated efforts of the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office in bringing this incident to a successful resolution.

Hurricane season 🌀is here, and preparation can make all the difference.

Sgt Shana Clark recently teamed up with 12NewsNow to help raise awareness about the importance of hurricane preparedness across Southeast Texas.

From building an emergency kit 🆘 and preparing evacuation plans to staying informed before severe weather strikes, taking action now can help keep you and your family safe when conditions change quickly.

Don’t wait until the storm is in the Gulf to prepare.

✔️ know your evacuation route
✔️ stock up on essential supplies
✔️ charge devices and backup batteries
✔️ fuel your vehicles early
✔️ stay connected to trusted weather and emergency updates

Preparedness saves lives.

Click the link below for more information.

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PULL! 💥

Troopers, leaders, and supportive sportsmen and women came together today for the Texas DPS Foundation Sporting Clay Shoot in Houston.

The Texas Department of Public Safety Foundation is a community-focused non-profit organization that develops innovative projects to support our Troopers and DPS employees.

Thank you 🙏 to all who attended in support!

🚨When Will They Learn🚨

On June 2, 2026 in Angelina County, Jadelfrick Benton, 31, of Lufkin, decided that cooperating with one of our Troopers during a traffic stop wasn't his preferred option. Instead, he chose to run.

Here's the problem with that plan: running doesn't make your problems disappear - it usually adds to them.

After the stop, our Troopers worked with the U.S. Marshals and Lufkin Police Department and discovered Benton had outstanding federal warrants for a weapons violation.

This morning, he was taken into custody without incident.

Now in addition to those federal warrants, he's facing additional charges for:
▪️evading arrest with a previous conviction
▪️fleeing from a police officer
▪️no driver license

You may run from a traffic stop, but you can't run from the consequences. 🚔

This arrest is a reminder that law enforcement is a team effort. The relationships we build with our local, state, and federal partners are invaluable.

When agencies work together and share information, it becomes much harder for those who break the law to stay one step ahead.

Our new League City Driver License office is officially OPEN! 🎉 🪪

DPS is always looking for ways to meet the needs of our growing state, and we thank the Texas Legislature for helping us make this new 12-counter facility a reality.

Customers can schedule their visit to this location online today by heading to www.txdpsscheduler.com

Read more about the new League City office here: bit.ly/3RTluSO.

DPS is launching Operation Safe Summer – a coordinated initiative to support local law enforcement in Austin, San Antonio, Houston, Dallas and Fort Worth this summer. ☀️🚔

Under Operation Safe Summer, DPS is proactively responding to the influx of tourists and crowds anticipated across our state this season. DPS Troopers will be assigned to areas seeing increased pedestrian activity, entertainment districts and concert venues to ensure all events remain safe, secure and enjoyable for everyone.

Learn more about Operation Safe Summer ➡️ bit.ly/3PURsxv.

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DPS Launches Operation Safe Summer | Department of Public Safety AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is launching Operation Safe Summer – a coordinated initiative to provide enhanced patrols in high-volume pedestrian corridors in central areas of Austin, San Antonio, Houston, Dallas and Fort Worth this summer. The operation aims to strengthen...