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Produced by DPS Public Information, (512) 424-2080 February 2009

New Ranger chief makes history Dear fellow employee: Antonio “Tony” Leal has been named chief of the Texas Ranger We’ve been talking about Division, becoming the first Hispanic to lead the elite crime-fighting change for awhile now, and force. you’ve no doubt seen that “Tony Leal is a 24-year veteran of DPS and brings the experience change is everywhere. I want and leadership skills needed to guide the in the coming to remind you that this isn’t years,” said interim DPS Director Stanley E. Clark. “He is the first the first time that we’ve been Hispanic and the youngest person under a microscope, and it ever named chief of the Texas Ranger isn’t the first time we’ve un- Division.” dergone massive changes. We Leal, 44, was born in Sugar Land will come out of this process and raised in the Fort Bend County better and stronger than ever. area. He began his career with DPS in During these potentially June 1984. He started as a Highway turbulent times, I want you to Patrol trooper in Stafford and Rosen- know that your work and in- berg and then moved to San Antonio put are important. The people as a sergeant, before of the state of Texas are de- promoting to the Texas Rangers in pending on us to keep them 1994. safe, and we all need to work His Ranger duty stations included as hard to accomplish that. Senior Captain Tony Leal assignments in Liberty, Seguin and I want to take a moment San Antonio, where he was part of the Unsolved Crimes Investigation to welcome Stuart Platt to Team. Leal promoted to lieutenant in 2002 and was stationed in Austin. the DPS family. Stuart joined In 2005, he promoted to captain of Company A in , oversee- DPS last month as the General ing 20 Texas Rangers responsible for 30 counties. His appointment to Counsel. He’s a former U.S. Ranger chief took effect December 10. Magistrate in Midland and is “My dream as a young man was to become a Texas Highway Pa- a colonel in the U.S. Army trolman, and I never imagined becoming a Texas Ranger, much less Reserve. As General Counsel, the Texas Ranger chief,” said Leal, who will also carry the rank of Stuart will advise the chiefs Senior Ranger Captain. “I appreciate the confidence and support of the and the Public Safety Com- Directors and the Commission. It is my goal to continue to uphold the mission on legal issues. Ranger tradition, while moving ahead with the goals of the Department as a whole.” continued on page 4 The Texas Ranger Division includes 160 employees, including 134 Texas Rangers.

DPS online: www.txdps.state.tx.us DPS “on the air”: 512-424-7777 [email protected] page 2 Briefs Kopacz was off duty and driving was assisted in his efforts by Air his personal vehicle when he spot- Force Staff Sgt. Justin Poteet. The SWAT officers needed ted a car on the tracks and a train trooper also reentered the burning SWAT will be conducting heading toward it. He ran through building to evacuate an elderly tryouts March 2-4. All commis- the darkness, tall grass and brush man who had returned to his room. sioned officers who work or reside and saw a woman outside the car The fire destroyed the motel but within four contiguous counties of and man inside the vehicle. He occupants of 16 rooms escaped Travis or Williamson counties may convinced the woman to leave without injuries due in part to the apply. Applicants must submit a the tracks, and went to aid the actions of Tr. Hass. memo through their chain of com- man, who was experiencing health mand with endorsements through problems. After helping him out Two people earned Director’s their major. Applicants should of the car, the man stumbled and Awards for life-saving CPR on a contact Lt. David Franklin, CIS fell, forcing Kopacz to drag him bicyclist who suffered a heart at- Austin, via Department e-mail for to safety. The train smashed into tack. Stephanie M. Lee of Pfluger- additional information. the small car, pushing it 1,500 feet ville and Andrew J. Cordova of down the tracks. Georgetown observed the man fall Awards over in the shoulder lane of a road Tr. Cody Mitchell, HP Bay- in Williamson County. Both citi- Sgt. Juan E. Hernandez, town, was awarded a Director’s zens immediately began CPR on CIS Laredo, received a Direc- Citation for knocking a DWI sus- the man, and were assisted by Tr. tor’s Citation and Laredo police pect out of the way of an oncom- Robert Isbell, Georgetown West, investigator Richard Reyes was ing 18-wheeler in Harris County. after he arrived on the scene. Nine honored with a Director’s Award The suspect had been stopped minutes later, they detected a weak for helping end a dangerous gang on U.S. 90 and was about to be pulse and labored breathing. EMS standoff in Laredo. Two groups, arrested for DWI. He suddenly personnel arrived on the scene and each armed with one assault rifle, blurted out, “I want to die,” and provided additional treatment. faced off outside a residence in ran into the roadway, waiting for The victim fully recovered, thanks the early afternoon near several oncoming traffic. Ignoring his own to the CPR provided right after the schools and a busy intersection. safety, Tr. Mitchell slammed his With guns drawn, Hernandez and body into the suspect in an attempt On the Reyes confronted the groups. to knock him out of the roadway mend... The members of the Mexican and into a ditch. An 18-wheeler Mafia complied with orders to narrowly missed the two men. The return inside the residence, while subject was then arrested for his Tr. Ronald R. Ramirez, HP the Hermanos Pistoleros Latinos third DWI offense. Alice, injured during a strug- gang members attempted to flee, gle; Tr. Steven Hoppas, HP San resulting in the apprehension of Tr. Jeffrey Hass, CVE Ver- Marcos, injured when vehicle six suspects. Numerous weapons non, garnered a Director’s Citation struck by alleged drunk driver; were seized. Reyes was nominated for his bravery at a motel fire in and by Lt. Leo Perez, CIS Laredo. Wilbarger County. Hass was one Good news! Tr. Jeremy Al- of the first to respond to the fire aniz, HP Corpus Christi, and Tr. Tr. John Kopacz, HP Bay and immediately began knocking Michael Earheart, HP Gaines- City, received a Director’s Citation on doors and windows. He even ville have returned to work on for saving a man from a train-car kicked in doors in an attempt to full duty. collision in Matagorda County. Tr. warn patrons of the fire. Hass

DPS online: www.txdps.state.tx.us DPS “on the air”: 512-424-7777 [email protected] page 3 incident. Lee, who is only 18, and ers Laredo; Brian Christopher Cpl. III, McAllen to Sgt., HP Ed- Cordova were nominated by Sgt. Burney, Sgt., HP Odessa to Sgt., inburg; Virgilio Verduzco, Tr. II, George Dominguez, Georgetown Rangers Midland; John Burton CVE San Marcos to Sgt., CVE West. Ramirez, Sgt., HP Laredo; Eusebio Salazar, Tr. II, City to Sgt., Rangers Rio Grande CVE Brownsville to Sgt., CVE Three police officers helped City; James Wesley Bennett, Lt., Pharr. save a woman’s life after a pursuit CVE Corpus Christi to Sgt., Rang- east of . Michael Finley, ers Kingsville. Administration Shawn Meek and Cpl. Michael Jason Ray Griffin, Sgt., HP Baley all work for the Royse City HP Cameron to Lt., Training Acad- Police Department and received David Lee Palmer, Capt., emy Austin-HQ. Director’s Awards for their ac- CVE Austin to Maj., HP Austin- tions. The woman, suspected of HQ; James Randall Woodrum, Director’s Staff drunk driving, refused to stop Sgt., HP Dumas to Lt., HP Austin- Stacy Lance Holland, Sgt., for officers and the fog-shrouded Capitol; Odie Lee Hitt, Sgt., HP Aircraft El Paso to Lt., Aircraft pursuit ended with a crash and the Gilmer to Lt., HP Del Rio; Chris- McAllen. vehicle bursting into flames. The topher Jones, Sgt., HP Killeen to trio removed the unresponsive Lt., HP McAllen; CLE woman from the burning vehicle Terry Dean Barnhill, Tr. II, Byron Keith Martin, Sgt., and moved her to safety. By the HP New Caney to Sgt., HP Con- Narcotics Svc. San Angelo to Lt., time Tr. Fernando Rozo, HP roe-East; Steven James McNeil, Narcotics Svc. Del Rio; Kenneth Rockwall, arrived on the scene, Cpl. III, HP Huntsville to Sgt., HP Dean Caldwell, Sgt., Narcotics the woman had stopped breathing. Austin-Capitol; Thomas James Svc. McAllen to Lt., Narcotics Officer Chapman performed CPR Bledsoe, Tr. II, HP Jacksonville Svc. Austin-HQ; Michael Mark and Tr. Rozo assisted until EMS to Sgt., HP Jacksonville; Negri, Sgt., Narcotics Svc. Gar- arrived. The three Royse City Michael Ray Windham, land to Lt., Narcotics Svc. Austin- officers were nominated by Sgt. Jr., Cpl. IV, HP Sanger to Sgt., HQ; Juan Jaime Ramos, Sgt., Timothy Simmons, HP Garland. HP Waxahachie; Wilmot Dane Narcotics Svc. Midland to Lt., Baker, Tr. II, HP Corsicana to Narcotics Svc. Alpine; Mile Markers Sgt., Austin-South; Jarrett Ross Jaeson Todd Jones, Sgt., BIS Hardwick, Cpl. II, HP Corpus Austin-HQ to Lt., Narcotics Svc. Promotions Christi to Sgt., HP Austin-Capitol; Laredo. Rangers Glen O’Neil Lester, Tr. III, HP Antonio Leal, III, Capt., Georgetown to Sgt., HP Austin- Retirements Rangers Houston to Chief, Rang- Capitol; David Matthew Foster, Anthony Mark Proveaux, ers Austin-HQ; Brian Joseph Cpl. II, HP Eastland to Sgt., HP Sen. Tr., HP Austin, 28 yrs., 5 Burzynski, Sgt., Rangers Fort Snyder; mos., 19 days; Jerry B. Moore, Stockton to Lt., Rangers Amarillo; Richard Anthony Ross, Cpl. Capt., Narcotics Svc. Houston, Ricardo Rivera, Sgt., Narcotics IV, HP San Antonio to Sgt., HP 31 yrs., 24 days; Gary Leon Svc. McAllen to Sgt., Rangers Uvalde; Michael Anthony Can- Hinton, Sen. Cpl., CVE Orange, Brownsville; Danny Wes Craw- tu, Tr. III, HP Seguin to Sgt., HP 28 yrs., 6 mos., 20 days; Miguel ford, Sgt., MVT Abilene to Sgt., Eagle Pass; Patrick Kelly McEl- J. Cordero, Sgt., Narcotics Svc. Rangers Ozona; roy, Tr. IV, HP Burnet to Sgt., HP Fort Stockton, 26 yrs., 6 mos., 22 Steven Earl McQuagge, Killeen; days; Lt., MCB Austin to Sgt., Rang- Victor Francisco Santa Ana, continued on page 4

DPS online: www.txdps.state.tx.us DPS “on the air”: 512-424-7777 [email protected] page 4 Fitness Corner: Try “soft running” to protect your legs

Let’s face it: People have been Many of you may have opted Next time you run, look to see running for a long time. Whether out of running because of the foot, if you are landing flat-footed, and running to join the battle, flee the knee and hip pain that results listen to your steps; do they make battle, hunt animals or avoid being from it. First, you should consult a loud slapping sound when your hunted by animals, our ancestors a physician before beginning any feet strike the ground? Instead, were an active bunch! But now that exercise program. With that out of raise your knees less and let your many of us will never go to war, the way, let’s get specific. feet sweep along just above the and the hunt for a meal has been One of the simplest ways to ground. Strike the ground heel- reduced to a leisurely walk down reduce the stress on your joints first, roll forward on your foot, and the hall or a stop at a drive-through, during running is to lose weight. then push off from the toes. When we just don’t get the same level of Excess pounds add stress to your you’ve achieved the proper form, activity as previous generations. joints during running. Lose weight your running should be noticeably Combine our reduced activity and your joints will thank you! In smoother and quieter. with the availability of inexpen- addition to weight loss, there’s While this technique may feel sive, high-calorie foods, and you another way to reduce the stress odd at first, if you stick with it, have a recipe for disaster! As our imposed by running. your running will become easier nation gets fatter, we see record An article by a staff member and faster. And, you will hopefully levels of conditions such as heart at Jack & Adam’s Bicycles, a local suffer fewer aches and pains in the disease and diabetes. We need to Austin store oriented to runners joints! Of course, make sure you eat healthier and exercise. We’ll and triathletes, recommended wear quality running shoes, and cover diet in another article, the “soft- running.” The idea is to run try to run on a soft surface, such as focus today is on exercise, specifi- in a way that spares your joints the grass or a rubberized track. cally running. worst of the impact.

Henrietta Ann Hamilton, bock, 9 yrs., 10 mos., 3 days. Mile Markers, continued Secretary, HP Waco, 21 yrs., 11 James Patrick O’Burke, mos., 26 days; Carolyn Jean Win- Deaths Comm., BIA Austin, 23 yrs., 9 kler, Secretary, Veh. Inspection, Dorothy Louise Awater, ret. mos., 17 days; Adan Caro, Sen. Austin, 19 yrs., 4 mos., 17 days; Secretary II, EMD Austin-HQ Cpl., CVE Alice, 21 yrs., 5 mos., Wilma Dean Crone, Secre- (February 1984 – July 1997) died 24 days; Dusty Musgrove Mc- tary, HP Garland, 19 yrs., 3days; December 8, 2008; Stanley Rus- Cord, Lt., Rangers Amarillo, 31 Robert Julian Sells, III, Capt., DL sell Bain, ret. Tr. III, HP Amarillo yrs., 4 mos., 15 days; Joel Vasquez Garland, 18 yrs., 9 mos., 4 days; (April 1948 – September 1983) Garcia, Sgt., MVT Brownsville, Winfred Columbus Johnson, died December 24, 2008; Gene 30 yrs., 7 mos., 7 days; Comm. Operator, Comm. Svc. Austin Lockhart, ret. Tr. III, HP Oscar Rivera, Sgt., Rangers Texarkana, 15 yrs.; Sammye Beth Huntsville (June 1956 – October Sinton, 30 yrs., 7 mos., 7 days; Cope, Admin. Asst., CIS Midland, 1984) died December 14, 2008; Kyle Lynn Dean, Sgt., Rangers 5 yrs.; James F. Taylor, ret. Officer Kerrville, 26 yrs., 6 mos., 22 days; Curly Willie Colquitt, Asst., II, Training Austin-HQ (December Joseph John Millhouse, Lt., Nar- Commander, HR Austin, 28 yrs., 1958 – August 1991) died Decem- cotics Svc. Austin, 26 yrs., 6 mos., 5 mos., 19 yrs., Louis Matthew ber 18, 2008; Audrey Lewis, ret. 22 days; John Alan Stafford, Sen. Gardner, Tr., HP Killeen, 15 yrs., Clerk III, DL Austin (October 1967 Tr., HP Brady, 23 yrs., 11 mos., 22 2 mos., 2 days; Maria Victoria – December 1986) died December days; DeLaRosa, Custodian, HP Lub- 28, 2008.

DPS online: www.txdps.state.tx.us DPS “on the air”: 512-424-7777 [email protected]