AUSTIN, Texas — Dozens of state-owned weapons, from handheld pistols to assault rifles, used by Texas law enforcement officers have gone missing or been stolen since 2018, a
But a deeper analysis of the data revealed 45 guns have been lost or stolen from four law enforcement agencies:The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission reported losing track of fiveThe Texas Department of Public Safety , the largest agency by far, tops the list with 29 guns reported missing, most of them stolen
“It shouldn’t even be in the conversation for a professionally trained law enforcement official – who we as citizens have said, 'We are giving you the right and responsibility to carry these firearms,'” Alsaffar added.In August of 2020, Johnny Butler, a DPS trooper in Harris County, left his patrol vehicle parked at home while on vacation. Records show when he returned, someone had rummaged through his vehicle.
In June 2021, Robert Hernandez Jr., a DPS Special Agent working Operation Lone Star in Carrizo Springs, stopped at a Pilot travel center to use the bathroom. Documents show he left his Sig Sauer .357 pistol in the bathroom stall. He called the gas station, and the staff said it wasn't there. Hernandez was found negligent, but records don’t show if he was disciplined.