Governor Greg Abbott today honored peacekeepers, firefighters and first responders who have demonstrated heroism and selflessness in service to their communities and the Lone Star State at the 2022 Star of Texas Awards Ceremony in Austin. The Governor, along with First Lady Cecilia Abbott, presented the Texas Stars honorees with awards.
“The outstanding men and women receiving the Lone Star of Texas today represent the best of Texas, and this award is a token of our appreciation for their tremendous service to the Lone Star State,” said Governor Abbott. “It is a great honor for me to recognize the 36 people in this room today who have sacrificed so much and acted selflessly for others. I want to thank them on behalf of the entire state of Texas for the risks they have taken and continue to take to protect Texans across our state every day. Our law enforcement officers, first responders and their families will always have the support of their governor and the state of Texas.”
The Star of Texas Award was established in 2003 by House Bill 1937 to honor and commemorate individuals who have made profound commitments in the line of duty as peacekeepers, firefighters and EMS operators. HB 1937 also declared September 11 of each year as Emergency Response Day in Texas. Today’s ceremony honored and recognized 36 Texans for outstanding courage and tremendous sacrifice in the line of duty, including some who gave their lives.
The 2022 Texas Star Award winners are:
Creighton Paschal, Arlington Police Department
John F. Riordan, Austin Police Department
Lewis Andrew Traylor, Austin Police Department
Charles Edward Patterson, Bowie Volunteer Fire Department
Timothy Pierce, Burnett Fire Department
Manuel Dominguez, Corpus Christi Police Department
Christopher Gadomski, Dallas Fire Rescue Department
Ronald Hall, Dallas Fire and Rescue Department
Pauline Angelique Perez, Dallas Fire and Rescue
Juan Barron, Dallas Police Department
Barbara Ann Fenley, Eastland County Sheriff’s Office
Armando Lopez, El Paso Fire Department
Adam Matthew Earls, Fannin County Sheriff’s Office
Keith Laughlin, Georgetown Police Department
Ashley Wall, Georgetown Police Department
Ross Duncan Kuhns, Harris County Precinct 1
Kareem Anthony Atkins, Harris County Precinct 4
Jucaim Sheldin Barten, Harris County Precinct 4
Darryl Wayne Garrett, Harris County Precinct 4
Chris Hendricks, Harris County Precinct 4
Darren Almendarez, Harris County Sheriff’s Office
Samuel Cleveland, Houston Police Department
Chase Elliott Cormier, Houston Police Department
William J. Jeffrey, Houston Police Department
Harold Lloyd Preston, Houston Police Department
Sean Sebastian Rios, Houston Police Department
Jarryd Sully, Houston Police Department
Michael Wiley Vance, Houston Police Department
Courtney T. Waller, Houston Police Department
Sherman Otto Bennis Jr., Kingsville Police Department
Richard Lee Houston II, Mesquite Police Department
Alejandro Munoz, Odessa Police Department
Jayden Maisie Bender, San Antonio Police Department
Ralph P. Delgado, Jr., San Antonio Police Department
Seth D. Hudson, Texas A&M Forest Service Enforcement Division
Michael Cardenas, Val Verde County Sheriff’s Office
