Freeman F. Martin, Colonel
Director, Texas Department of Public Safety
Freeman F. Martin became the Director of the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) on December 1, 2024 – the first Texas Ranger to ascend to the position. He now leads the agency of over 11,000 commissioned and non-commissioned personnel charged with ensuring the safety and security of Texas.
Prior to being appointed Director, Martin served as the Senior Deputy Director over Homeland Security at DPS, where he played a crucial role in planning, directing, managing and overseeing a wide range of activities and operations including executive protection, violent crime prevention operations, intelligence, counterterrorism, homeland security and the border.
Martin’s career with DPS spans over three decades, beginning in 1990 as a Trooper in the Texas Highway Patrol Division. His career includes roles as a Sergeant in the Narcotics Service and Texas Ranger Sergeant in Houston before promoting through the ranks in the Texas Ranger Division. In 2014, he was named Regional Commander (now known as Regional Director) for the Central Texas Region. In 2018, he was appointed Deputy Director of Homeland Security.
Martin is a native of New Deal. He has a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and is a graduate of Northwestern University's School of Police Staff and Command.
Walt Goodson, Lt. Colonel
Deputy Director Law Enforcement Services
Walt Goodson is the Deputy Director of Law Enforcement Services and holds the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. The Law Enforcement Service offices and divisions include Crime Lab, Crime Records, Cyber Security, Driver License Division, Finance Division, Information Technology, Infrastructure Operations Division, Training Operations Division, and Regulatory Services Division.
Goodson began his career with the Department in 1994 as a trooper in the Texas Highway Patrol Division. In September 2023, he was appointed to Deputy Director of Law Enforcement Services. During his DPS career, Goodson has also held positions as a member of the DPS SWAT team, sergeant, lieutenant and captain in the Criminal Investigations Division, captain over the Law Enforcement Promotions System, major in the DPS Training Academy, assistant chief in the Infrastructure Operations Division and chief of the Training Operations Division. Before joining DPS, Goodson was a correctional officer from 1991 to 1994 with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice in Huntsville.
Goodson received a BS in Criminal Justice from Sam Houston State University and MS in Quality Systems Management from National Graduate University. He is a graduate of the Northwestern University Police School of Staff and Command and the Texas Department of Public Safety Command College.
Goodson is a past president and life member of the American Polygraph Association and the Texas Association of Law Enforcement Polygraph Investigators. He is also a member of several professional organizations.
Jason Taylor, Lt. Colonel
Deputy Director Law Enforcement Operations
Jason C. Taylor began his career with the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) in 1998. He was assigned to the Anahuac and New Caney offices as a State Trooper before promoting into the Criminal Investigations Division. He served as a Sergeant/Investigator in the Special Crimes Service in Garland and with the Criminal Intelligence Service in Houston.
LT Colonel Taylor was then accepted into the Texas Ranger Division in 2008, where his first assignment was with Company “F” – Waco and later with Company “A” – Houston. In 2011, he promoted to Ranger Lieutenant, Captain in 2014 and was subsequently assigned to oversee the Public Integrity Unit (PIU) at Austin headquarters before promoting to Ranger Major in 2016, in Houston. In 2018, he promoted to Regional Director of DPS operations in Southeast Texas, and in October 2022, he was appointed to Chief of the Texas Ranger Division. Most recently, he was appointed to his current position as LT Colonel, Law Enforcement Operations in February 2024.
LT Colonel Taylor earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Sam Houston State University and is a graduate of the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command. He volunteers for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, where he serves on the Emergency Response Team. He is a four-time recipient of the Houston 100 Club Officer of the Year Award and has received other awards and commendations, including a DPS Regional Commander’s Award and a Ranger Company Commander’s Award.