Texas Border Business
AUSTIN – Governor Greg Abbott delivered the keynote address and presented awards to honor the service and sacrifice of peace officers, firefighters, and first responders at the 2026 Star Of Texas Awards in Austin.
“Today, on September 11, 2026, we remember those we lost and are inspired by the bravery and resilience that define what it means to be an American,” said Governor Abbott. “Texas is eternally grateful to those who serve and protect our communities every single day. The men and women we have lost will live on through their brothers and sisters in uniform, friends and family, and Americans who are free today because of their sacrifice.”
During his remarks, the Governor acknowledged the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and recognized the valor of the first responders who ran towards danger that day. Additionally, he shared the stories of Texans who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our state and nation.
See the gallery below for more images of the award ceremony. All photos: Office of the Governor
The Governor was joined at the ceremony by Supreme Court of Texas Chief Justice Jimmy Blacklock, Texas Court of Criminal Appeals Presiding Judge David Schenck, Texas Division of Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd, Texas Department of Public Safety Colonel Freeman Martin, and other local and state leaders.
Established in 2003 through House Bill 1937, the Star Of Texas Awards honors and commemorates individuals who made profound commitments while performing their duties as peace officers, firefighters, and emergency medical first responders.
The 2026 Star of Texas Award recipients are:
- Juan Cruz Arizpe, Amarillo Fire Department
- Alyssa M. Lopez, Austin County Sheriff’s Office
- Heather Cavazos, Austin Police Department
- Jessica Marie Jacob, Austin Police Department
- Stephen Sakr Johnson, Austin Police Department
- Adam Ross Reinhart, Austin Police Department
- Jaxon Dean Walker, Austin Police Department
- Aaron Randal Armstrong, Caldwell County Constable’s Office
- Brent Harrison, Castro County Sheriff’s Office
- Nikolas Robert Anderson, Cedar Park Police Department
- Elijah Monroe Garretson, Copperas Cove Police Department
- Luis Jose Pomales Jr., Dallas Police Department
- Ashton Lawrence Rosebud, Dallas Police Department
- Kenneth M. Lewis, Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office
- Caleb E. Halvorson, Fort Worth Fire Department
- James B. Huddleston, Fort Worth Fire Department
- Austin Erik Griswold, Harris County Sheriff’s Office
- Benjamin Abbott, Houston Fire Department
- Colbey Bailey, Houston Fire Department
- Lemuel Delray Bruce Jr., Houston Fire Department
- Paige E. Hennighan, Houston Fire Department
- Iris Rodriguez, Houston Fire Department
- Stephen Doyle Scott, Houston Fire Department
- Joaquin J. Garza, Houston Police Department
- Jonathan R. Gibson, Houston Police Department
- Shawn Lee Wilson, Levelland Police Department
- Andrew Lee Cavazos, Lubbock County Sheriff’s Office
- Jorge Martinez, Lubbock County Sheriff’s Office
- Michael Lee Hankins, MedStar
- Rex T. Plant, Memphis Police Department
- Rusty Lee Peace, Newark Fire Department
- Corey Stefan Rogers, San Antonio Police Department
- Tyler John Sauvage, San Antonio Police Department
- Jacob Andrew Candanoza, Terrell Police Department
- Jerry Wayne Adamick Jr., Texas Department of Public Safety
- Dakota David Hughes, Texas Department of Public Safety
- Alan M. Johnstone II, Texas Department of Public Safety
- Austin Bryan Parrott, Texas Department of Public Safety
- Damian Christian Rains, Texas Department of Public Safety
- Kevin Ramirez Vasquez, Texas Department of Public Safety
- Derrick Martez Waters, Texas Department of Public Safety
- James Clinton Black III, Texas Tech Police Department
- Levi Israel Ridley, Texas Tech Police Department
- K9 Andor, Waco Police Department
