~ Austin, TX- Governor Greg Abbott delivered a powerful keynote address at the 2026 Star of Texas Awards ceremony today, honoring the service and sacrifice of peace officers, firefighters, and first responders. The event, held in Austin, was a somber reminder of the bravery and resilience that define what it means to be an American.

On this day, September 11th, 2026, Governor Abbott spoke about the significance of remembering those who were lost on September 11th, 2001. He also recognized the valor of the first responders who ran towards danger on that fateful day. The Governor shared stories of Texans who have made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of their state and nation.

Joined by Supreme Court of Texas Chief Justice Jimmy Blacklock, Texas Court of Criminal Appeals Presiding Judge David Schenck, Texas Division of Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd, Texas Department of Public Safety Colonel Freeman Martin, and other local and state leaders, Governor Abbott presented awards to the recipients of the 2026 Star Of Texas Awards.

Established in 2003 through House Bill 1937, the Star Of Texas Awards honors and commemorates individuals who have made profound commitments while performing their duties as peace officers, firefighters, and emergency medical first responders. This year's recipients include Juan Cruz Arizpe from Amarillo Fire Department; Alyssa M. Lopez from Austin County Sheriff's Office; Heather Cavazos from Austin Police Department; Jessica Marie Jacob from Austin Police Department; Stephen Sakr Johnson from Austin Police Department; Adam Ross Reinhart from Austin Police Department; Jaxon Dean Walker from Austin Police Department; Aaron Randal Armstrong from Caldwell County Constable's Office; Brent Harrison from Castro County Sheriff's Office; Nikolas Robert Anderson from Cedar Park Police Department; Elijah Monroe Garretson from Copperas Cove Police Department; Luis Jose Pomales Jr. from Dallas Police Department; Ashton Lawrence Rosebud from Dallas Police Department; Kenneth M. Lewis from Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office; Caleb E. Halvorson from Fort Worth Fire Department; James B. Huddleston from Fort Worth Fire Department; Austin Erik Griswold from Harris County Sheriff's Office; Benjamin Abbott from Houston Fire Department; Colbey Bailey from Houston Fire Department; Lemuel Delray Bruce Jr. from Houston Fire Department; Paige E. Hennighan from Houston Fire Department; Iris Rodriguez from Houston Fire Department; Stephen Doyle Scott from Houston Fire Department; Joaquin J. Garza from Houston Police Department; Jonathan R. Gibson from Houston Police Department; Shawn Lee Wilson from Levelland Police Department; Andrew Lee Cavazos from Lubbock County Sheriff's Office; Jorge Martinez from Lubbock County Sheriff's Office; Michael Lee Hankins from MedStar; Rex T. Plant from Memphis Police Department; Rusty Lee Peace from Newark Fire Department, Corey Stefan Rogers and Tyler John Sauvage both of San Antonio Police Department, Jacob Andrew Candanoza of Terrell Police Department, Jerry Wayne Adamick Jr., Dakota David Hughes, Alan M. Johnstone II, Austin Bryan Parrott, Damian Christian Rains, Kevin Ramirez Vasquez, Derrick Martez Waters all of Texas State Troopers and James Clinton Black III and Levi Israel Ridley both of Texas Tech Police Departments.

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The ceremony was a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by these brave individuals and their families. Governor Abbott expressed his gratitude to all first responders who serve and protect their communities every single day.

As the event came to a close, Governor Abbott reminded everyone that the men and women who have been lost will live on through their brothers and sisters in uniform, friends and family, and Americans who are free today because of their sacrifice.

Additional photos of the ceremony will be provided here when available.

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