Gov. Abbott Dedicates New Fallen Officers Memorial in Austin

"People who visit this memorial will understand the core values of DPS: courtesy, service, protection."

– Governor Greg Abbott

Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN, Texas – “DPS officers are the thin blue line that protects our society from danger. Whether it’s their work at the border, in the 254 counties throughout Texas, or securing our college campuses, they represent the best and brightest of our law enforcement community. Today, we unveil a special memorial to every DPS officer and Texas Ranger who has made the ultimate sacrifice for Texas," said Governor Greg Abbott while speaking at the dedication ceremony for the Texas Department of Public Safety’s (DPS) new Fallen Officers Memorial during their annual Peace Officers Memorial Service in Austin.

The new memorial honors DPS officers and Texas Rangers who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving and protecting their fellow Texans.

"People who visit this memorial will understand the core values of DPS: courtesy, service, protection. I thank all the DPS officers for their service to our great state and their dedication to law and order,” Governor Abbott said.

“It is an honor to dedicate this important memorial to the brave DPS officers who have lost their lives serving the people of Texas."
 

The Fallen Officers Memorial features a 77-foot circle of Texas pink granite with an 11-foot-tall bronze statue of a modern-day DPS Trooper paying respects to a tombstone. Inscribed on the tombstone is the name of the first fallen peace officer in Texas, Ranger Moses Smith Hornsby, who lost his life in 1835.

Inside DPS Headquarters’ main lobby, visitors will find a new memorial display of individual plaques with photos honoring each fallen officer and non-commissioned employee.

• A list of fallen DPS officers since 1823, when the agency first began as the Texas Rangers, can be found here,

“As members of DPS, we take a solemn oath to protect and serve Texas, and honoring that oath includes putting one’s own life in danger for others. The new Fallen Officers Memorial reminds us of the daily risks taken in this profession,” said DPS Director McCraw.

“I thank Texas Ranger 2023, the Texas Ranger Association Foundation, the Texas Department of Public Safety Foundation and the people of Texas whose donations made this beautiful memorial possible. Your generosity demonstrates Texans care deeply about their state, the rule of law and the people serving them — and this memorial will serve as a testament to what Texas stands for as a state.”
 

The Governor was joined at the dedication ceremony by:
 

Abbott also presented a proclamation to DPS to recognize the heroic work Texas peace officers do and encourage Texans to honor the men and women in law enforcement who gave their lives in the line of duty.
 

Surrounding the 11-foot-tall bronze statue of a modern-day DPS Trooper are five separate granite and bronze panels. Three panels narrate the history of the department, each highlighting one facet of DPS’ motto: courtesy, service, protection. A fourth panel is engraved with a dedication of the memorial to the memory of fallen DPS officers. The fifth and largest panel showcases DPS’ Wall of Honor, highlighting all 242 names of agency personnel who have lost their lives in the line of duty since the early 19th century.

Designed by Central Texas artist Clint Howard, completion of the Fallen Officers Memorial was made possible by $2.4 million in donations from the public to Texas Ranger 2023, the Texas Ranger Association Foundation and the Texas Department of Public Safety Foundation.