TMPA- Texas Minute- May 29, 2026

TMPA- Texas Minute- May 29, 2026

• History Made in Morris County — Lone Star Police Corporal Athziry Flores made history as the first certified tactical female officer ever in Morris County after attending and passing SWAT class. Her accomplishment represents grit, discipline, and the courage to step into one of the toughest challenges in law enforcement. TMPA proudly recognizes Corporal Flores for breaking a barrier, raising the standard, and showing the next generation of officers what is possible. • Justice for Officer Jacob Candanoza — Darrian Cortez Johnson will spend the rest of his life behind bars after pleading guilty to the capital murder of Terrell Police Officer Jacob Candanoza. Officer Candanoza was only 28 years old, a husband, father, son, and Texas law enforcement officer murdered while serving his community. No sentence can bring him home, but justice was served, and Texas will not forget one of its fallen. • TMPA Fights for Injured Officers — TMPA’s legislative team testified Thursday before the Committee on Homeland Security, Public Safety and Veterans’ Affairs alongside Wood County Sergeant Jaclyn Skinner, who was shot four times on February 15, 2026. Her fight did not end when the gunfire stopped, as she then faced delays, denied referrals, withheld medical equipment, and roadblocks through the workers’ comp system. TMPA is pushing for real accountability and reform, and Sergeant Skinner’s story will be featured next week on the Blue Grit Podcast.

TMPA- Texas Minute- May 22, 2026

• Blue Grit Podcast: Social Media Mobs — The newest episode of the Blue Grit Podcast takes on a growing problem in law enforcement: online mobs forming before the facts are known. TMPA Executive Director Kevin Lawrence, Field Representative Leighton Guarnere, Regional Attorney Amanda Bolin, and Galveston Municipal Police Association President Anthony Rogers break down recent incidents in Galveston and Arp, how false narratives spread, and why associations must respond quickly, aggressively, and factually when members are under attack. • Austin Shootings and Flock Cameras — After a violent shooting spree across Austin involving stolen vehicles and multiple crime scenes, law enforcement leaders said license plate reader technology could have helped locate the suspects faster. Neighboring agencies using Flock cameras helped identify a stolen vehicle connected to the suspects, showing once again that officers need proven crime-fighting tools, not political roadblocks, when violent offenders are putting innocent lives at risk.  • Texas City Police Chief Out — Texas City Police Chief Landis Cravens is out, marking a major turning point for Texas City officers. TMPA stood shoulder to shoulder with the Texas City Municipal Police Association through a long fight for better leadership, stronger support, and real accountability inside the department. This change gives officers and the community a chance to move forward with leadership that respects the men and women behind the badge.

TMPA- Texas Minute- May 15, 2026

• National Police Week — TMPA sent a team to Washington, D.C. to stand with the families, survivors, and agencies honoring Texas officers who made the ultimate sacrifice. Executive Director Kevin Lawrence had the solemn honor of reading the Texas names being added to the National Law Enforcement Memorial Wall during the annual Candlelight Vigil. TMPA will always show up for the fallen, their families, and the officers still carrying the mission forward. • Texas Repeat Offender Task Force — DPS and Dallas Police are joining forces as part of the expanded Texas Repeat Offender Task Force, targeting violent repeat criminals who continue cycling through the justice system. TMPA supports every effort that gives law enforcement the tools, resources, and backing needed to get dangerous offenders off Texas streets and keep communities safe. • Texas City New Mayor Sworn In — A new chapter has officially begun in Texas City after Abel Garza Jr. was sworn in as mayor following the election defeat of former Mayor Dedrick Johnson. For Texas City officers who endured years of hostile city leadership, this change brings a long-awaited glimmer of hope for better communication, stronger support, and real respect for the men and women serving that community.

TMPA- Texas Minute- May 8, 2026

• Blue Grit Podcast: “A Tyrant Falls and Officers Rise” — TMPA Field Representative Leighton Guarnere joins the Blue Grit Podcast to break down two major wins for Texas law enforcement. Leighton discusses the Texas City mayoral election defeat of Dedrick Johnson and what it could mean for officers who have faced hostile city leadership. He also highlights Morgan’s Point collective bargaining victory, where the community rallied behind its police department and helped strengthen officers’ rights and protections. • Williamson County Civil Service Update — On Thursday, TMPA stood with the Williamson County Deputies Association during the Civil Service Commission meeting regarding proposed amendments to the civil service rules. TMPA Regional Attorney Robert McCabe addressed the commission and requested that multiple items be tabled for further review, which did happen. TMPA thanks the Civil Service Commission for their willingness to work with us and remains committed to supporting our members and association leadership. • I-35 Multicounty Pursuit — A dangerous pursuit involving a trash truck began in New Braunfels and ended in Austin after authorities say the driver refused to stop, struck another vehicle, and continued down I-35 on flat tires. Multiple agencies assisted before the truck crashed, four people were injured, and the driver was arrested on multiple charges. The incident is another reminder of how quickly law enforcement can be pulled into dangerous, unpredictable situations across multiple jurisdictions. • National Police Week — Next week begins National Police Week in Washington, D.C., where officers, families, survivors, and agencies from across the nation will gather to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice. TMPA stands with the families of the fallen and every officer who continues to serve their community with courage.

TMPA- Texas Minute- April 30, 2026

• Temple Police Incident — Temple officers were dispatched to a dangerous and unpredictable scene involving a man police say may have ingested PCP. That crisis was not created by law enforcement. It was created by illegal narcotics, interference, and bad decisions. TMPA stands with our members and rejects any attempt to twist this into another anti police narrative. • Honoring Texas’ Fallen Officers — This past Sunday in Austin, honor guards, officers, families, and survivors gathered to remember the Texas officers who paid the ultimate sacrifice. TMPA thanks every honor guard, officer, agency, and survivor who traveled to stand in respect for the fallen. The ceremony can be viewed on the TMPA Facebook page. • Fort Worth CRU Member Shot — A Fort Worth Police Civilian Response Unit member was shot while responding to a burglary call in what appears to be an ambush-style attack. The CRU member is reported to be in stable condition. TMPA stands firmly with the injured member, the Fort Worth Police Department, and every officer working to bring this suspect to justice.