HOUSTON — A Texas DPS Trooper’s life-altering injuries, and the video now being used to warn drivers, are at the center of a new round of honors recognizing service and sacrifice across the state.
During the December Public Safety Commission meeting in Austin, the Texas Department of Public Safety awarded Purple Hearts, Lifesaving Awards and other honors to personnel whose actions ranged from rescue operations to life-saving medical care. Among those recognized was Trooper Derrick Waters, of Katy, whose crash has since become a powerful public safety message.
EDITOR’S NOTE: The video above is from the original report of the crash involving Trooper Derrick Waters.
Trooper Derrick Waters’ story
On Sept. 27, 2024, Waters was conducting a traffic stop in Harris County as part of a DWI Task Force focused on reducing deadly crashes, officials said. The crash happened just before 2:30 a.m. while Waters was working southbound near Upland Willow Avenue along Highway 249, which was shut down in both directions following the incident…