Public Safety Commission Meeting December 10, 2020, 9:00 a.m. 6100 Guadalupe, Building E Austin, TX 78752 Summary (This report represents a summary of events of the meeting, and is not necessarily complete nor an exact transcript of testimony.) The Public Safety Commission convened as posted to consider and take formal action, if necessary, on the following agenda items: I. CALL TO ORDER 9:00 am – Chairman Steven Mach called the meeting to order. In attendance: Chairman Steve Mach, Commissioners Steve H. Stodghill, Commissioner Nelda L. Blair, and Commissioner Dale Wainwright. A quorum was present. Also present were, Director Steve McCraw, and General Counsel Phil Adkins. II. INVOCATION Chaplain Ferman Carpenter gave the invocation. III. PLEDGES Trooper Jeff Nunez lead the meeting in the Pledge of Alliance and the Texas Pledge of Allegiance. IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A Motion made by Commissioner Nelda Blair to approve the minutes from the October 15, 2020 Public Safety Commission Meeting, and Seconded by Commissioner Steve Stodghill; with a roll call vote, The motion carried. V. PRESENTATIONS The following is the DPS Report that was presented along with plaques and awards at Thursday’s PSC Meeting. In addition to the awards listed below, there were 2 – 30 Year Service Awards and 4 – 40 Year Service Awards presented. Photos of some of the recipients follow this report. 1 DPS Recognizes Significant Accomplishments at Final PSC Meeting of the Year AUSTIN – The Texas Public Safety Commission (PSC) and Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Director Steven McCraw presented two Adolph Thomas Distinguished Service Awards, three Medals of Valor, two Director’s Citations and 14 Lifesaving Awards to department personnel at the PSC meeting held on Thursday, Dec. 10, at the Criminal Law Enforcement Auditorium at DPS Headquarters in Austin. In addition, 14 Director’s Awards were also presented to partner agency personnel and private citizens at the meeting. “I’m proud to recognize the men and women of DPS, local and federal law enforcement and the public for their outstanding achievements and selfless service to their communities,” said DPS Director Steven McCraw. “They exhibited excellence, dedication and valor in their actions, and it was an honor to present them their much deserved awards.” The following individuals were recognized: Rebecca Butler, Intelligence and Counterterrorism (ICT) — Austin, and Retired Sgt. Stephen Bynum, Highway Patrol — Lampasas, each received the Adolph Thomas Distinguished Service Award, which is given annually to one commissioned and one non- commissioned employee. First awarded in 2018, this award is named after Adolph Thomas who was the first Black DPS Trooper. Thomas worked in the Texas Highway Patrol, Narcotics, served as Commander of the Training Academy and retired as Chief of Staff Services. Thomas excelled in the areas of mentoring fellow employees, training others and civic engagement. This award was created to honor DPS employees who display excellence and distinguish themselves in those same three areas. Rebecca Butler serves as a criminal intelligence analyst. In her position, she provides analytical and investigative support for all DPS divisions, as well as other local, state and federal law enforcement agencies. Butler goes above-and-beyond to locate, gather and disseminate valuable information, as well as provide vital training to other analysts, DPS personnel and other law enforcement partners. She has been instrumental in the development and instruction of curriculum for the Interdiction for the Protection of Children (IPC) program. Additionally, Butler created a process of collecting and combining tactical analysis with strategic analysis and intelligence, which enhances the quality and effectiveness of information provided to investigators. Butler is a dedicated and compassionate employee whose work has resulted in the identification, apprehension and successful prosecution of criminals. Stephen Bynum recently retired as a sergeant with the Texas Highway Patrol. In his 34 years with DPS, he served as mentor and advisor to countless peers and law enforcement partners. He was one of the department’s authorities on the Texas Transportation Code and developed training materials at the request of the Texas Highway Patrol Chief. Bynum also assisted the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement with rewriting questions for the state 2 peace officer’s licensing exam. He was also a highly respected instructor for DPS’ recruit school. In addition, he is a pillar of his community, serving as a Sunday school teacher and song leader. Trooper Mauro Arce, Highway Patrol — Texas City, Sgt. Earl Vicknair, Highway Patrol — Angleton, and Trooper Steven Yaden, Highway Patrol — Angleton, each received the Medal of Valor. This is the highest honor and award bestowed by DPS. On May 18, 2018, a Santa Fe High student opened fire on teachers and students. Vicknair, Arce and Yaden were among the first law enforcement officers to arrive on the scene. Along with other officers, they cornered the shooter. Vicknair drew fire from him, and Yaden fired upon the shooter while Arce provided cover. Together, they caused the shooter to surrender. Risking their own lives for the safety of others, they helped ensure no further harm came to any students or faculty. Trooper Brian Barnes, Highway Patrol — Nacogdoches, received a Director’s Citation, and Darrell Lunsford Jr. received a Director’s Award. On March 10, 2020, Trooper Brian Barnes witnessed a major crash in which a vehicle attempted to make a U-turn in front of a motorcycle on U.S. 59 in Nacogdoches County. The motorcycle became partially lodged inside the vehicle, with the motorcyclist landing on the vehicle’s roof and the driver not breathing. Barnes, along with Lunsford (a citizen who arrived on the scene to help), repositioned the motorcyclist to administer chest compressions. While giving chest compressions, Barnes continued providing instructions to bystanders on traffic control and how to provide medical assistance to others involved in the crash. The motorcyclist was taken by EMS personnel to a hospital with a pulse but later died from his injuries. Special Agent Joshua Roraback, Criminal Investigations Division — Tyler, received a Director’s Citation; Analyst Daniel Frison, Analyst Justin Major, Special Agent Josh Mathews and Special Agent Joseph Valero, all of the FBI, received Director’s Awards; and Nathaniel Kummerfeld, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the U.S. Attorney’s Office Eastern District of Texas, also received a Director’s Award, for their efforts beginning in 2018. Roraback was contacted by a local police agency regarding a minor who had been sexually assaulted and trafficked. After the investigation stalled, Roraback continued on his own, enlisting the help of Valero and Mathews. Major and Frison assisted with analyzing and examining electronic evidence. A registered sex offender was identified as a suspect, and Kummerfeld provided guidance and strategy to successfully prosecute the suspect. Through the diligence and dedication of Roraback, Valero, Mathews, Major and Frison, at least 25 additional victims were identified. The suspect maintained several online personas, which were linked to the suspect through interviews with victims and the suspect’s family members, executing search warrants and compiling electronic data. The suspect was ultimately sentenced to 70 years on 75 counts. Trooper Steven Creader, Highway Patrol — Nederland, Trooper Jordan Pulliam, Highway Patrol — Beaumont, and former Trooper William Allday, previously Highway Patrol — Beaumont, each received a Lifesaving Award; and Deputy Brittany Nguyen, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, received a Director’s Award for their actions on May 7, 2020. Pulliam and Allday responded to a crash on U.S. 69 in Jefferson County where a 3 vehicle was pinned against the center dividing wall with an unresponsive female inside. The pair pulled the woman from the vehicle and began CPR. Nguyen arrived, and Pulliam saw items in the vehicle that led officers to believe the woman was suffering from a drug overdose. Nguyen administered a dose of Naloxone, while Pulliam and Allday continued chest compressions. Creader arrived on scene, ensured the vehicle was stationary and began helping with chest compressions, while Pulliam administered an additional dose of Naloxone. When EMS arrived, the woman was taken to the hospital and stated she was alive due to the lifesaving measures conducted at the scene. Trooper Micah Goodrich, Highway Patrol — Panhandle, received a Lifesaving Award; Ranger Samuel Sidders, National Park Service, received a Director’s Award; and citizens John May, Dakota Morris, Austin Savage and Craig Shackleford, each received a Director’s Award for their actions on Oct. 3, 2019, in Carson County. Pamela Peterson was also posthumously honored with a Director’s Award. A severe thunderstorm caused flash flooding that day. The vehicle that Linda Conley and Pamela Peterson were traveling in on State Highway 107 hydroplaned, landed in a ditch and became submerged in approximately three feet of water. Peterson was still strapped in her seat belt, and with the position the vehicle landed in, Peterson was above Conley who was under water. Peterson held Conley’s head above water before she lost consciousness. Sidders was off-duty at the time and spotted the vehicle; he notified emergency personnel and tried to rescue the women. He broke a window so he could reach Conley. Sidders supported her head