Police News
Police News.
Last remaining Hawkins Police Department officer fired by city council
Hawkins – In their regular city council meeting on Monday, the Hawkins City Council voted to terminate the employment of Hawkins Police Department Lieutenant Eric Tuma.
According to the city council’s agenda for their meeting on Monday, Tuma’s termination was based on the grounds of “Dereliction of Sworn Duties” and “Abandonment of Post.” The motion to terminate Tuma’s employment was passed in a 3-2 vote.
Tuma became the only officer in Hawkins PD after Hawkins Mayor Debbie Rushing fired three other officers on Feb. 18. Tuma, a Hawkins native, formerly served as the interim chief of Hawkins PD after the resignation of former chief Guy McKee in 2024.
McLennan County deputy suspended again amid concerns over questionable arrests in up to five cases
Waco – A McLennan County Sheriff’s Office deputy who was suspended in February and reinstated two months later has been suspended again after more questions surfaced over the legalities of arrests he made in up to five cases.
Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Cody Blossman confirmed this week that Derrick Shaw has been placed on administrative leave again after his office and the McLennan County District Attorney’s Office have further scrutinized cases Shaw has made as a patrol deputy.
Shaw, 25, has worked for the sheriff’s office since April 2019, starting, as most employees do, as a jailer. In a five-page response to the internal investigation by the sheriff’s office, which Shaw shared with KWTX, he said he believes the DA’s office has unfairly singled him out.
Austin Police Sergeant pleads guilty for charges of assault and official oppression
Austin – Former Austin Police Sergeant Brian Yarger plead guilty for charges of assault causing bodily injury and official oppression for an incident that happened in June 2024 in court on Tuesday.
The incident in June 2024 is related to an encounter he had with Shawn Allen Johnson, where court records state Yarger shoved Johnson to the ground and hitting him with a closed fist.
Yarger also faced assault causing bodily injury and official oppression charges in another incident in July 2024.
The July 2024 incident involved Marcos Cardoza and his cousin Fidel Gonzalez. In this incident, Travis County Court documents show that Yarger got physical when he pulled up to deal with Cardoza and Gonzalez who were arguing in downtown Austin.
Court records show that Yarger hit Cardoza with his palm and knee while trying to arrest him. He also used a stun gun against Gonzalez after yelling back and forth with him.
In court, Judge Julie Kocurek sentenced Yarger to the following:
12 months deferred adjudication probation. Surrendering his peace officer license. Writing apology letters to each victim. Getting assessed for anger management.
Police Officer asks for nude photos of 8-year-old girl and is caught in a sting
Houston – A Texas police officer made an online request for nude photos of an 8-year-old girl, but the request went to an undercover profile, deputies said.
Gabriel Thomas Slusher, a 27-year-old Houston METRO police officer, was arrested June 12 and charged with attempting to commit sexual performance by a child, according to the Montgomery County Constable’s office.
The constable’s office was notified of the inappropriate request June 10 when the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force came into contact with Slusher’s request, officials said in a news release.
Another investigator used an undercover profile to contact Slusher as others worked to identify him, deputies said.
Authorities obtained a warrant and, with the help of U.S. Marshals, arrested and booked Slusher in Montgomery County Jail, according to deputies and was beingheld in jail on a $100,000 bond, deputies said.
Deputy Sheriff accidentally discharged a gun at the Sheriffs department. No accident, keep your finger of the trigger
Brenham – Washington County Deputy Billy Ruemke accidentally discharged his weapon inside the sheriff’s office. Sheriff Holleway said the incident occurred in a secure area and only resulted in property damage.
Deputy Billy Ruemke received discipline in the form of time off without pay and is scheduled for remedial training. Holleway said instances of this nature typically carry a suspension of two to three days, adding that the employee has completed that suspension.
Ruemk a 45-year career in law enforcement can’t handle a firearm safely.
Billy Ruemke left the Sheriff’s Dapartment one month later.
Lets just go ahead and get rid of the U.S. Constitution – Eliminate due process
Due process is a fundamental right in the United States, guaranteed by the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments to the Constitution. It ensures fair treatment through the judicial system. This means that individuals have the right to a fair trial, including the opportunity to be heard and defend themselves. Due process also protects against arbitrary government actions that could deprive someone of their life, liberty, or property.
Masked ICE Agents Are a Danger to Both the Public and Themselves
Masked federal agents have repeatedly grabbed people in immigration raids over the past few weeks. Most seem to be members of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), but in the moment there is often little to indicate who they are. This presents a danger not only to the public but to the masked agents themselves.
Two Dallas Officers Arrested For Alcohol-Related Offenses
Two Dallas police officers were arrested on consecutive days this week for alcohol-related offenses, according to the department’s own reports.
Officer Elijah Walker was arrested on June 10 in neighboring Euless for driving while intoxicated. Officer Jerrid Couch faced arrest the following day by his own department for public intoxication.
The back-to-back arrests raise questions about officer conduct and accountability within the Dallas Police Department. Both officers joined the force relatively recently and now face internal investigations.
Walker, badge number 12538, has served in the Central Patrol Division since March 2023. The Euless Police Department charged him with DWI, a Class B misdemeanor.
Couch, who carries badge number 12622, began his career in September 2023. He works in the Northeast Patrol Division and faces the lesser charge of public intoxication, a Class C misdemeanor.
Death to Fascism and Kings
Don’t let this happen in America!
Crash involving Brookshire police captain and 12-year-old boy under investigation
Richmond – An investigation is underway after a Brookshire police captain reportedly hit and injured a 12-year-old while driving a city-issued vehicle, according to the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office.
Brookshire Police Department Chief James Hines confirms Captain John Miller’s involvement in the collision is currently under investigation.
Hines said Miller was driving a city-issued unit, which he specified is not a marked patrol car, at the time of the crash.
A public information officer for the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office confirms the boy was crossing the street on an electric scooter when he was struck. He was taken to the hospital with minor injuries, which the sheriff’s office described as abrasions.
Cop hits a child with police car
Austin police officer charged with assault, official oppression is set for plea
Austin – Former Austin Police Officer Brian Yarger faces charges of assault causing bodily injury and official oppression in three separate cases, according to Travis County Court documents filed this week. These are both misdemeanor charges.
Two sets of charges pertain to the arrests of Marcos Cardoza and his cousin Fidel Gonzalez on July 24, 2024.
Yarger’s court records state he “intentionally and knowingly caused bodily injury” to Cardoza by doing the following:
Performing a leg-sweep take-down
Striking Cardoza’s head with the heel of his palm
Delivering a knee strike to Cardoza’s left ribcage area
Dropping his left knee onto Cardoza’s head and neck area
Yarger’s records also state he used a stun gun on Castro
Clay County deputy fired after investigation of missing cash from man he arrested
A Clay County deputy is out of a job after being accused of stealing $4,000 during an arrest.
Action News Jax reported last month about accusations filed following the arrest of Willie Davis Jr. in September. He said deputies seized $6,900 from him when he was arrested.
Davis’ attorney said when he picked up his belongings, some of that money had disappeared.
Jail records show only $2,900 was put in Davis’ account.
Pflugerville police chief retires during ‘administrative investigation’
Pflugerville Chief Jason O’Malley retired from the department Thursday.
O’Malley had been chief of the department since he was appointed in 2021. Prior to being selected as chief, O’Malley served as a commander in the department since July 7, 2020.
Ex-Runnels County jail sergeant gets year for sexual misconduct with inmate
San Angelo – A former Runnels County Jail sergeant has been sentenced after he and one of his subordinate jailers were arrested in 2020 on accusations of engaging in sexual activities with incarcerated women.
The office stated that, following an investigation conducted by the Texas Rangers, Jail Sgt. Cary Hubbard and Alexander Harrison, a jailer who was supervised by Hubbard, “were arrested and charged with the State Jail F e l o n y Offense of Improper Sexual Activity with a Person in Custody.”
The 119th District Attorney’s Office said that evidence presented during Hubbard’s hearing “revealed that Hubbard was the direct supervisor over Jailer Harrison, and that Hubbard had engaged in sexual contact with a female inmate on more than one occasion.” Evidence also showed that “Hubbard had put money in the inmate’s phone and commissary accounts.”
Harrison “pled guilty to two felony charges and was given a sentence of 730 days in state jail, “which was probated for three (3) years.”
Former officers granted immunity in civil suit but still face criminal charges
San Antonio — Two former Police officers have been dismissed from a civil lawsuit related to the 2023 death of Melissa Perez.
The 46-year-old woman was shot and killed during a mental health crisis, resulting in the lawsuit filed by Perez’s family.
The lawsuit alleged that the officers used excessive force when they shot her in her apartment on the 6200 block of Old Pearsall Road.
The officers involved claimed that Perez approached them with a hammer. A federal judge ruled that “Perez had already been violent and aggressive toward the officers, and the video makes it clear she was coming toward them with a weapon, a hammer in her raised hand.” The judge stated that under these circumstances, the officers are entitled to qualified immunity.
It is important to note that this ruling pertains only to the civil lawsuit. The former officers, Alfred Flores and Eleazar Alejandro, still face murder charges, while Nathaniel Villalobos is charged with aggravated assault.
Texas DPS trooper pleads no contest in case over excessive force in traffic stop
Texas trooper – A former Texas DPS trooper has pleaded no contest as part of a plea deal in relation to a charge over excessive force.
The Travis County District Attorney’s Office officially charged Zachary Maini with official oppression, a class A misdemeanor, alleging he used a Taser unwarranted against a woman during a traffic stop in Travis County in August 2022.
Maini will also have to complete two months of deferred adjudication community supervision. The Texas Department of Public Safety initially referred the case to the Texas Office of Inspector General (OIG), which referred it to the DA’s office in September 2022.
Police records on Zachary Maini
Webb County deputy arrested on suspicion of DWI while off duty
A Webb County sheriff’s deputy was arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated while off duty.
During the investigation, 37-year-old Michael Gonzalez reportedly showed signs of intoxication and was subsequently asked to perform standard sobriety tests.
After completing the tests, Gonzalez was arrested and taken to Webb County Jail, where he faced charges of Driving While Intoxicated (DWI).
Judge rules former Rusk Co. deputy as not eligible for qualified immunity in civil lawsuit
Tyler – The family of a man who died in an incident with a former Rusk County Sheriff’s deputy is seeing their case proceed to trial after a judge confirms the deputy is not eligible for qualified immunity.
Qualified immunity shields government and peace officers from personal liability in a civil lawsuit. Months later, U.S. District Judge Jeremy Kernodle confirmed the recommendation, denying Iversen any immunity.
The civil lawsuit, Wendy Tippit versus Sergeant Shane Iversen, stems from Randall’s death.
“He didn’t pull anything out, and then he immediately threw Mr. Randall to the ground,” the Randall family attorney Joseph Oxman said. “Why? There is absolutely no reason he escalated this situation.”
No charges filed against off-duty Bryan PD officer accused of killing neighbor’s dog
Bryan – Grand jury decided no charges will be brought against an off-duty Bryan Police Officer accused of shooting and killing his neighbor’s dog.
The officer, who was not identified by the department, was placed on administrative leave during the investigation by the Brazos County Sheriff’s Office.
A grand jury, which did not find enough evidence to charge the officer.
A Bryan police officer is on administrative leave following an off-duty shooting incident that killed his neighbor’s dog.
The Bryan Police Department said the officer was off duty when an incident between him and his neighbor’s dog escalated.
“The officer discharged his off-duty weapon, striking and killing the neighbor’s dog.”
How a new Texas law may reduce the ‘Roaming Cops’ problem
In law enforcement in Texas a “Roaming Cops” is a police officer who frequently transfers between police departments, having a record of misconduct or unsuitable job performance
Nearly 200 police officers were fired or resigned for misconduct from one department and later hired at another Houston-area agency, according to Investigates analysis of personnel records from 2020 to 2024.
They’re known as a “Roaming Cops,” and a soon-to-be-implemented Texas law addresses the problem across the state, by increasing transparency and accountability at the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement, the state agency that licenses peace officers.
“When an officer was leaving agency A, getting fired from agency A, they might strike a deal to say, ‘I am not going to litigate this further with you if you just give me an honorable discharge,’” Soberon said. “Or a chief might say, ‘I do not want the hassle of a drawn-out internal affairs process, so let me just give you an honorable and let you go.’ As we know, they continued to get hired at other agencies again and again and again.”
Going forward, officers who resign or retire before getting fired won’t get off the hook. Under the new law, agencies must complete an internal investigation into alleged misconduct and report those findings to TCOLE.
Police officers bargaining with the badge not to go to prison
Why is it that when police officers get in trouble, they are not sent to jail?
Across Texas, hundreds of law enforcement officers have permanently surrendered their peace officer license in the past four years. A KXAN investigation of 297 of those surrenders has discovered nearly all the officers were accused or charged with a crime, most often f.e.l.o.n.i.e.s. And, in almost every case the officers used their license as a bargaining tool by agreeing to surrender it as part of a deal to avoid jail or prison.
League City man suing police who arrested him for not displaying disability placard
A League City man was arrested in back in 2023. Now he’s filing a civil rights lawsuit.
Scott Shearer said in his long career as a criminal defense attorney, he never imagined ending up on the other end of the law. He believes his arrest was unfair and sets a dangerous precedent for others.
On July 28, 2023 Shearer said he drove over to his gym and sat in the car before going in so he could check emails. It would appear that sitting outside of a gym on his phone made someone nervous because a League City police officer arrived and asked him if he had been taking photos.
“I offered him my phone twice to look at my phone to see I hadn’t taken any pictures, and eventually he got off that,” Shearer said.
Mr. Shearer said the officer never took him up on his offer to check his phone, but eventually the officer asked him to get out of the car, so he did. Shearer alleges the officer told him his eyes looked strange and asked if he was on anything.
The officer said that he was parked in a handicap spot without a placard displayed.
Shearer said he told the officer he had one in the car and offered to get it, but the officer refused, and again said he needed to be the one to search the car. Shearer knew his rights and refused the search by the police.
Houston PD brass defended themselves, contradicted former chief in coding scandal
The Houston Police Department has finally released a cache of internal documents exposing the controversial practice of suspending thousands of criminal investigations, many involving serious offenses, due to staffing shortages.
These records, obtained only after a lengthy public information request battle, include revealing internal communications leading up to a night social media post in which HPD admitted it had failed to investigate a significant number of sexual assault cases.
The fallout would soon lead to intense scrutiny and top-level resignations, including Chief Troy Finner, who retired exactly one year ago.
Deputy on leave after being charged with stalking ex-girlfriend
Deputy Gustavo Villalon was charged on May 9 for allegedly repeatedly stalking a woman he dated for 10 months, until October 2024. After the breakup, documents allege Villalon had been harassing her since then through April 2025 on multiple communication platforms.
Webster Police Department, Villalon is accused of going to his ex-girlfriend’s apartment several times after she tried to break things off. The arrest warrant states that Villalon also banged on the door a number of times, and that his actions were captured on the doorbell video. The woman said that after the breakup, she moved to a different apartment building due to storm damage and being in fear of Villalon, but he was able to find her by following her home.
Texas man sues deputies who shot him while on the phone with dispatchers
New Braunfels – Ronald Smith, 40, sat with his legs crossed outside the Guadalupe Valley Memorial Park on Highway 46 – his right hand held his cell phone, and his left was in the air when deputies zeroed in on him with guns drawn.
Body camera video shows that before Guadalupe County Sheriff Deputy Hunter Saenz could make it all the way across the busy highway to Smith, his gun was up – and he was yelling commands.
“Show me your hands! Put your hands up! Put your hands up!” Saenz said in the video.
Texas prosecutor sues to compel Border Patrol testimony in trial of Uvalde police officer
Uvalde – A Texas prosecutor filed a federal lawsuit seeking to force three U.S. Border Patrol agents who responded to the 2022 Robb Elementary School shooting to testify in the prosecution of the former school police chief, who is facing criminal charges over the slow law enforcement action at the massacre.
The lawsuit from Uvalde County District Attorney Christina Mitchell filed on May 9 claims the testimony from the three officers, two of whom were part of the tactical team that eventually broke into a classroom and killed the gunman, is vital to the case against former school district Police Chief Pete Arredondo, who faces multiple counts of child endangerment and abandonment.
According to the lawsuit, the agents gave written statements early in the state investigation into the shooting and the response from nearly 400 local, state and federal officers who waited more than an hour to breach the classroom where the gunman was located. Nineteen fourth-grade students and two teachers were killed, and 18 more people were injured, in one of the worst school shootings in U.S. history.
Harris County 8 deputy accused of stalking ex threatened to ‘make work hard’ for her
Harris County – A Harris County Precinct 8 Constable’s deputy is under investigation after he was charged with stalking, according to authorities.
An arrest warrant states Deputy Gustavo Villalon had been stalking/harassing a woman with whom he had been romantically involved.
Court documents show Villalon was in an on-and-off relationship with a woman for 10 months, until October 2024. After the breakup, documents allege Villalon had been harassing her since then through April 2025 on multiple communication platforms, threatened to “make nasty rumors” and “make work hard” for her.
‘Sickening’: Hays County corrections officer arrested, facing child sex assault charges
Hays County Sheriff’s Office terminated a corrections officer after he was arrested and charged with multiple offenses.
Guadalupe County jail records, 35-year-old George Jearld Snell, of New Braunfels, was arrested on two counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child and two counts of indecency with a child involving sexual contact. Jail records showed he was held on a $2 million bond.