AUSTIN – Yesterday, the Public Safety Commission (PSC), along with Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Director Steven McCraw, recognized the service of several Texans at the PSC meeting at DPS Headquarters in Austin. PSC Commissioners and Director McCraw presented one Director’s citation, one Director’s Award, five Lifesaving Awards and one additional recognition.
“It is a privilege to be able to honor the exceptional dedication and courage displayed by these outstanding members of our department and community,” said Director McCraw. “Their commitment to public safety and service exemplifies the highest standard of excellence. They truly understand the importance of safety in our communities and across our state.”
The following people were recognized:
DIRECTOR’S CITATION:
On Jan. 23, 2022, Yoakum Police Department officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop, but the suspect refused and evaded police for nearly ten miles until a tire deflation system was deployed. The suspect then fled his vehicle on foot and entered a rural property, pointing a firearm at law enforcement officers. Eventually, the suspect entered the front door of a nearby home and forced the elderly homeowner upstairs, raising the windows and kicking out screens. The suspect proceeded to destroy items inside, took narcotics and fired a handgun. Staff Sergeant Mina Gadelkarim (McAllen) with the Texas Rangers Special Operations Group (SOG) responded to the scene and met with other members of the SOG, preparing to deploy toward the home and establish a perimeter. Sergeant Gadelkarim, who is also a SWAT precision marksman, took his rifle and took a position near the home where he could see the suspect through an open window—grabbing the female hostage and pushing her against the window. The suspect was hiding behind the hostage, holding her shoulders and pointing a gun at her head. Sergeant Gadelkarim continued to closely monitor the suspect’s movements and once the suspect was exposed, Sergeant Gadelkarim fired a single shot through the window, neutralizing the suspect – ending an hours-long and tense hostage situation and saving the female hostage’s life.
In recognition of his steadfast response during a life-threatening hostage situation, Staff Sergeant Mina Gadelkarim was awarded the Director’s Citation.
Yesterday the woman who was held hostage attended the PSC meeting accompanied by her family to personally thank Staff Sergeant Gadelkarim.
LIFESAVING & DIRECTOR’S AWARD:
On July 8, 2024, Trooper Paul Bickerstaff (Henderson) responded to a call of a vehicle forced off the roadway into high water caused by Tropical Storm Beryl. When Trooper Bickerstaff arrived, members of the local fire department directed him to a female subject sitting on top of a submerged vehicle. Trooper Bickerstaff and Fire Marshal Patrick Dooley (Rusk County) took their swift water rescue gear and were able to locate the woman in a wooded area approximately 50 to 60 yards from the roadway. As Trooper Bickerstaff and Marshal Dooley entered the rushing waters and were able to reach the submerged vehicle. Trooper Bickerstaff held onto the vehicle while Marshal Dooley got into position downstream with an additional throw rope in the event of rescue complications. Once Trooper Bickerstaff grabbed hold of the female subject, he threw his rope to a nearby fireman to pull himself and the subject out of the swift water to a shallow area with the continued assistance of Marshal Dooley. Once safe, the woman was examined by EMS.
In recognition of their courageous response to a life-threatening situation resulting in the saving of a life, Trooper Paul Bickerstaff was awarded the Lifesaving Award and Marshal Patrick Dooley was awarded the Director’s Award.
LIFESAVING AWARD:
On July 12, 2024, Trooper Billy Castro (Goliad) was dispatched to a disturbance call to Weesatche, Texas. Upon arrival, Trooper Castro encountered a very intoxicated female subject who had severely cut her arm, losing a large amount of blood. Trooper Castro immediately applied a tourniquet to the subject’s arm to stop the bleeding and continued reassuring the subject to keep her calm until EMS arrived. It was later determined that the subject had severed her artery, which required surgery.
In recognition of his quick and effective response to a life-threatening situation resulting in the saving of a life, Trooper Billy Castro was awarded the Lifesaving Award.
LIFESAVING AWARD:
On March 6, 2024, Trooper Armando Hernandez, Jr. (Laredo) responded to an active vehicle pursuit of a suspected human smuggler. During the pursuit, two male subjects were ejected from the suspect vehicle as it rolled over and crashed after spikes were deployed. The driver then fled the vehicle on foot. Trooper Hernandez was able to quickly apprehended him and then returned to the crash site to check the condition of the other ejected subjects. Trooper Hernandez realized he was the only Spanish speaker on the scene who could effectively communicate with the subjects. One subject was bleeding from his leg due to a compound fracture, and Trooper Hernandez immediately applied a tourniquet to control the bleeding. He then served as an interpreter for EMS to conduct a proper medical assessment, and the subject was transported to a local hospital for further medical treatment.
In recognition of his significant and decisive response to a life-threatening situation resulting in the saving of a life, Trooper Armando Hernandez, Jr. was awarded the Lifesaving Award.
LIFESAVING AWARD:
On April 16, 2024, Trooper Steven Olivares (Laredo) saw an ambulance with its emergency lights and sirens activated. As the ambulance attempted to make a left turn, it collided with a semi-truck. Trooper Olivares responded, placing his patrol unit in a position to block traffic and protect the two paramedics in the ambulance from a potential secondary crash. Trooper Olivares checked the condition of the ambulance’s driver, then moved his attention to the passenger who was halfway out of her seat with a deep laceration to her right arm, which was bleeding profusely. Trooper Olivares immediately removed the tourniquet from his duty belt and applied it to her arm, stopping further blood loss. He then continued his medical assessment, remaining at her side until medical air support arrived on the scene.
In recognition of his life-saving response, Trooper Steven Olivares is hereby awarded the Lifesaving Award.
LIFESAVING AWARD:
On May 30, 2024, in El Paso, Corporal Brandon Tidmore (Aspermont) was in his patrol unit working Operation Lone Star when he observed members of the National Guard gathering on a bridge with their attention toward the river below. As Corporal Tidmore exited his vehicle, he heard a female subject screaming from the water. The woman was being swept downriver and was unable to get traction to reach the steep concrete edges of the river. Corporal Tidmore quickly grabbed his swift water throw bag and threw it over the fence for her to grab. Noticing the woman could not hold on, he drove along the edge of the fence to get ahead of the woman moving downstream. After three failed attempts to reach her with the throw bag, Tidmore added heavy rocks into the bag. The added weight allowed the woman to successfully grab onto the rescue device, which allowed Corporal Tidmore and a National Guard soldier to pull her to safety.
In recognition of his quick thinking and determined efforts to save a life, Corporal Brandon Tidmore was awarded the Lifesaving Award.
RECOGNITION:
In 2023, the DPS Honor Guard and Drill Team developed and implemented a drill routine of remarkable precision, discipline and creativity. They competed at the Steve Young Honor Guard Tribute & Exhibition which takes place during Police Week held in the nation’s capital. The Drill Team’s hard work and commitment to excellence earned them first place among all competing states. In 2024, the team again showcased their talent in Washington, DC with a new and innovative routine, this time earning them third place. The team’s success at these national competitions has brought honor to the state of Texas as an inspiration to their fellow officers and the communities they protect.
In recognition of their hard work and dedication, the Honor Guard and Drill Team — including Lieutenant Wade Schooley (Austin); Sergeants Bill Robles (Brownfield), Bryan McCandless (Lubbock) and Eliot Torres (El Paso); and Troopers Jacob Schroeder (Waco), Alonzo Nunez (Waxahachie), Robert Jackson (Refugio) and Antony Alvarado-Moncada (Belton) — is awarded a Unit Citation.
Please join us in congratulating all the award recipients. Additional photos from the ceremony can be found here.
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