Texas Backs the Blue

By Texas Senator John Cornyn

Throughout the country, law enforcement officers put on their uniforms and badges every day and put their lives on the line for their communities. As President Ronald Reagan famously said, “Evil is powerless if the good are unafraid.” As Texans, we may have a reputation for being outlaws, but our sheriffs and police officers keep us safe and on the straight and narrow. Every May, we honor our law enforcement during National Police Week for answering the call to protect our communities, and we remember the fallen officers who lost their lives while serving in the line of duty.

On May 13, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund will host the 38th Annual Candlelight Vigil on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. National Police Week has been a longstanding tradition dating all the way back to 1962 when President John F. Kennedy dedicated May 15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day. Congress then recognized Police Week and the National Peace Officers Memorial Day in a joint resolution later that year, and they have been honored as annual observances ever since.

In the Lone Star State, we are blessed to have incredible police officers who serve our communities. Texas is home to approximately 140,000 police officers – the second highest number in the country. That averages out to about four police officers per 1,000 residents. Our brave law enforcement officers help ensure the safety of Texans day-in and day-out, and this week is a great opportunity to recognize their heroism.

In April, parts of Texas were hit with very heavy rainfall, which caused fast-paced moving floodwaters in parts of North Texas. Sergeant Jon Banner of the White Settlement Police Department was patrolling the night of April 25 when he noticed a car stranded in rushing water heading toward a creek. When he approached the car, he quickly noticed three children and their mother trapped inside. Sgt. Banner removed the children from the vehicle and placed them in his patrol car, then went back to get the mother, but with the rushing water, he began slipping, and the current started sweeping away the vehicle.

Officer Christopher Wiseman, who was also on the scene, then devised a plan to secure the mother using a makeshift harness made from jumper cables he kept in his patrol vehicle. Despite the rushing waters growing in strength, the officers can be heard on bodycam footage urging each other on to continue the fight and not let each other fall into the water. Finally, the mother was removed from the car, and the White Settlement Fire Department arrived to pull the car out of the water. Everyone was evaluated by first responders, but miraculously, no one was injured. Sgt. Banner, Officer Wiseman, the fire department, and everyone involved in the rescue of the family were rightly praised for their heroic actions that night.

Sgt. Banner’s story is just one of many tales of heroism in the State of Texas. Another example is the bravery of Corporal Lee Higginbotham from the Dallas Veterans Affairs Police Department.

On July 12, 2025, Cpl. Higginbotham was filling up his car at a local gas station when he noticed a crowd of people calling for help. He sprang into action and ran over to the scene to find a two-year-old child choking on an object and unable to breathe. Cpl. Higginbotham performed the Heimlich maneuver, removing the object from the child’s throat. He stayed with the child and the family until paramedics arrived and cleared the child. While Cpl. Higginbotham states that he was just doing his job, the Dallas VA Police Department praised him for his quick response and compassion, which ultimately saved a life.

These are just a few illustrations of how our state’s law enforcement exemplify fearlessness and devotion to our communities. One thing is for certain: Our men and women in blue have Texans’ backs. Texas police officers are willing to risk their lives to keep us safe, and there is no greater sacrifice than that. This National Police Week, I urge you to honor your local law enforcement officials, thank them for their service to your community, and remember the sacrifices they make every day for your safety. To all law enforcement in Texas, thank you for your dedication to our great state.