Governor Greg Abbott delivered the keynote address at the Texas Peace Officers’ Memorial Ceremony on April 26, 2026, honoring 25 law enforcement officers who lost their lives in the line of duty. The ceremony, held at the Texas Capitol in Austin, included the unveiling of new names engraved on the memorial monument and a procession by hundreds of officers.
The annual event recognizes officers who died during the previous calendar year as well as those whose historical service was recently verified as a line-of-duty death.
Governor Abbott awarded the Texas Medal of Honor to the families of the 25 recognized officers, pledging the state’s “unwavering gratitude” for their sacrifice. The ceremony emphasizes the state’s ongoing commitment to law enforcement at a time when the physical memorial serves as an “eternal reminder” of those taken too soon, according to the Governor.
The 2026 ceremony honored a diverse group of peace officers, including 2025 casualties and five historical figures whose service dated as far back as the late 1800s. Among those recognized was Senior Officer Eric Lindsey, a 20-year veteran of the Austin Police Department who died from complications related to COVID-19 contracted in the line of duty.
The full list included six officers from Harris County, including Deputy Micheal V. Floyd (Precinct 4), Detention Officer Robert Perez (Sheriff’s Office), and Corporal Maher Khalil Husseini (Precinct 4).
Several officers from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) and the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) were added to the memorial, such as Correctional Officer Codie Whitley-Turner and Trooper Jerry Wayne Adamick, Jr. The ceremony also honored officers from Dallas, Houston, Amarillo, and Navasota.
Governor Abbott highlighted that while the role of law enforcement has evolved since the era of the “Wild West,” the commitment of modern officers remains unchanged. He was joined by state leaders and surviving family members to mark the occasion. The Texas Peace Officers’ Memorial Ceremony was established as an annual event by House Bill 3647 during the 85th Legislative Session.
Historically, the number of officers honored has fluctuated, with 37 recognized in 2024 and 58 in 2023. The inclusion of historical officers ensures that those whose sacrifices were previously unrecorded are officially commemorated.
“We know that there are no words that can fully repay what these officers and their families have given to us,” Governor Abbott stated. “But we can give you this: our unwavering gratitude and our solemn promise that we will never stop honoring their legacy in Texas”.