DPS Recognizes Heroism of Personnel and Citizens at Public Safety Commission Meeting
The Public Safety Commission (PSC) and Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Colonel Freeman F. Martin today honored the exceptional service and heroic actions of several DPS personnel and citizens during the PSC meeting held at DPS Headquarters in Austin. PSC Commissioners and Colonel Martin presented two Director’s Citations and four Lifesaving Awards.
“We’re proud to recognize these individuals who demonstrated extraordinary commitment to serving others,” said DPS Colonel Freeman F. Martin. “Their selfless actions— whether from within our agency or beyond — represent the very best of public service and remind us of the powerful impact one person can make.”
The following individuals were recognized for their heroic actions:
DIRECTOR’S CITATION:
- Lieutenant Pilot Wilfred “B.J.” Blanchard (San Antonio): Recognized for his swift and decisive actions on September 14, 2024, at a local airport. After landing his patrol flight, Lt. Blanchard observed a fire erupt in the engine of another plane. Despite the pilot being unaware, Lt. Blanchard alerted a passenger, helped evacuate all occupants, including two children, and then used a fire extinguisher to put out the blaze, undoubtedly saving lives.
LIFESAVING & DIRECTOR’S AWARD:
- Trooper Jeffrey Galindo (Colorado City): Awarded the Lifesaving Award for his immediate response on July 27, 2024, to a motorcycle accident in Mitchell County. Trooper Galindo arrived on scene and applied his department-issued tourniquet to the severely injured motorcyclist, who had lost a leg. He continued to assess the victim until EMS arrived.
- Illinois Police Officer Gerardo Chaidez: Awarded the Director’s Award for his off-duty actions at the same Mitchell County motorcycle accident. Officer Chaidez stopped to assist the injured motorcyclist, applied his t-shirt as an initial tourniquet, and then used a belt as a secondary tourniquet before Trooper Galindo arrived.
- Mr. Mark Strickland: Awarded the Director’s Award for also stopping at the Mitchell County motorcycle accident and assisting in moving the injured motorcyclist to safety on the shoulder of the highway.
LIFESAVING AWARD:
- Special Agent Mario “Tony” Aranda (El Paso), Special Agent Jose Garcia (El Paso), and Special Agent Mark Jackson (El Paso): Recognized for their collaborative efforts on June 29, 2024, during Operation Lone Star near Santa Teresa, New Mexico. The agents observed two collapsed and severely dehydrated females. They provided immediate care, including applying cold water to lower their body temperatures, and then transported them to the New Mexico Border Patrol Station, where they further assisted in stabilizing the individuals with ice and assisted EMS upon their arrival.
LIFESAVING AWARD:
- Trooper Cody Helms (Staton): Honored for his quick response and medical assistance on November 24, 2024, to a report of a man severely injured by a feral hog attack in Howard County. Trooper Helms applied a chest seal to a puncture wound on the man’s back and attended to other injuries, providing comfort and reassurance until EMS arrived. The victim was later found to have suffered multiple lacerations, cracked ribs, a cracked spine, and a collapsed lung.
LIFESAVING AWARD:
- Trooper Joshua Nance (Austin): Recognized for his heroic off-duty actions on November 29, 2024, in North Little Rock, Arkansas. Trooper Nance witnessed a shooting and stopped to assist the driver of a vehicle that had been struck multiple times. Observing a profusely bleeding gunshot wound to the driver’s leg, Trooper Nance applied direct pressure and then used a seatbelt as a makeshift tourniquet, successfully stopping the bleeding.
