
POLICE Department
Making a Difference
Read commendations for HPD personnel from the community
Officer B. Cheng
6/11/2025
Detective Cheng was very diligent in his investigation & keeping me up to date on his findings as well as i informing me on next steps. I appreciate his communication & thoroughness throughout the process. I wasn't sure my case would have much priority or success but Detective Cheng was able to identify the suspect and issue an arrest warrant. I am please with my experience with Detective Cheng and the Houston PD. Thank you!
- A. H.
Officer J. Tennard
6/10/2025
As the School Counselor at Meyerland Middle School, I want to close the 2024-2025 School year by taking a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to Officer J. Tennard for his unwavering support and dedication to our 8th grade male students through the G-Men mentoring program. His commitment to these young men has created a positive impact, encouraging their growth and maturity throughout the year.
I have observed the significant progress these students have made during their time with Officer Tennard. The excitement and anticipation they felt for his weekly meetings with him reflected the meaningful connections he fostered, which were so crucial at this stage of their lives. His ability to relate and connect with them has made a lasting impression.
This year, we faced an unexpected loss in our Greyhound family which deeply affected our school community. Losing a child is a challenge that none of us can truly prepare for. HIs presence, alongside the colleagues from the Houston Community Affairs Division, brought comfort and support during this difficult time, and for that, I am sincerely thankful.
- D. B.
Officer Vigil, Officer Bumgarner & Officer Meola
6/9/2025
Officer Vigil arrived on the scene just 8 minutes after I called, which speaks volumes about their efficiency and commitment. As a citizen and businessowner who has witnessed their professionalism and quick action firsthand, I felt it was important to take a moment to express my gratitude and to commend them for their exceptional work. They respond to situations swiftly and efficiently with a clear sense of purpose. Their ability to assess and resolve issues on the spot not only ensures the safety and well-being of the community but also exemplifies the level of excellence that all law enforcement officers should aspire to. In times when it’s easy for public trust in law enforcement to waver, they are a shining example of the difference a committed and responsible officer can make. We are fortunate to have them serving our community, and our community needs more officers like them.
- C. W.
Captain S. Rubin
6/3/2025
I am a School Social Worker and am writing to formally recognize and commend Captain S. Rubin for her unwavering support and generous contributions to the students within the Willowridge High School feeder pattern. For several years, Captain Rubin has been a cornerstone of compassion through her involvement with the Santa Behind the Badge program, touching the lives of countless students at Willowridge High School.
This past holiday season, Captain Rubin expanded her outreach beyond the high school, extending her kindness to three elementary schools and one middle school within the same feeder pattern. Her commitment brought joy and hope to students who may not have otherwise experienced the magic of the holidays. The smiles and excitement on the children’s faces were a testament to the incredible impact of her generosity.
Many of the students served are considered McKinney-Vento, meaning they or their families are currently displaced and experiencing housing instability. Additionally, all schools in this feeder pattern are designated as Title I, indicating that a high percentage of our student population comes from families facing economic hardship.
Captain Rubin had the option to support any school in the Houston area, yet she chose us. This choice speaks volumes about her character and dedication to serving those most in need. Her actions have made a meaningful and lasting difference in our school community, and for that, we are deeply grateful.
Though I intended to write this commendation months ago, I only recently located the appropriate contact information. Nevertheless, the appreciation and admiration we have for Captain Rubin remain strong and sincere.
- L. M.
Officer C. Ewing
5/28/2025
I am writing to formally commend Officer C. Ewing of the Houston Police Department, located in Kingwood, Texas, for her outstanding service and dedication to justice. Her meticulous efforts in investigating and reporting cybercrime committed which includes, real estate theft, identity theft and fraud were instrumental in assisting the Deridder Police Department, Lieutenant Gene Clark in uncovering a complex Real Estate Theft Operation. Officer Ewing –also played a crucial role in processing my restraining order following a Cyber Crime that occurred on October 23, 2024. The fraudster behind this crime operated across multiple states, causing immense harm to numerous individuals nationwide. He claimed 50% of my property valued over $255,000 - $279,000, which was returned on 5/27/2025. Through her diligent collaboration with law enforcement agencies, she ensured that justice was served, protecting countless victims—including myself—from further harm.
- S.B.
Detective X. Flores
5/22/2025
In the quiet of the early morning on Thursday May 15, 2025, I was taking my usual walk through my neighborhood when the sudden sound of sirens shattered the stillness. Fire trucks and emergency vehicles sped past, their flashing lights illuminating the streets. As I reached the intersection of Willow Crossing Dr. and Sable Trail ln, I saw the unthinkable, the house at the corner of Stable Trail Ln engulfed in smoke.
It was then that I learned about the courageous actions of Detective X. Flores. While leaving home to serve a warrant with his squad, he detected the distinct scent of smoke in the air. As he drove toward his destination, he spotted heavy smoke billowing from a house at the corner. Without hesitation, he stopped, notified dispatch, and began pounding on the doors, trying desperately to alert the occupants inside. Seeing a vehicle in the driveway but receiving no response, Deceive Flores made the brave decision to enter the home.
Inside, he found a woman and her seven-year-old son, unaware of the fire spreading around them due to non-functioning smoke alarms. Demonstrating remarkable courage, Detective Flores safely pulled them from the home, undoubtedly saving their lives. It was later determined that the fire had originated in the garage, ignited by an old cellphone that had shorted out in a storage box.
This act of heroism is a testament to Detective Flores' unwavering dedication, quick thinking, and selflessness. He went far beyond the call of duty, risking his own safety to ensure the well-being of others. I strongly believe that his bravery deserves recognition, and I respectfully submit this commendation for your consideration. Officers like Xavier Flores represent the very best of law enforcement, fearless, compassionate, and deeply committed to protecting our community.
Thank you for taking the time to acknowledge Detective Flores’ extraordinary service.
Best regards,
- L. H.
Sgt. T. Williams
5/21/2025
Sgt Williams is consummate professional and a dedicated law enforcement officer. His help in cleaning up our neighborhood and keeping us safe is greatly appreciated.
- M. K.
Officer C. Baker
5/21/2025
Officer Baker arrived on scene within a minute of the crash at 6000 Hermann Park Drive. He was kind while explaining the situation – that even though is NO SIGNAGE prohibiting a U turn, that based on city statue, it is illegal cross double yellow line. He was also instrumental in diffusing the other driver- I suspect she was distracted as she did not event attempt to slow down when she hit the back door of my vehicle. She was quite irate, running around taking pictures and videos, and he was able to calm her down and keep her away from me while I was pinned in my car by her car. Thank you, Officer Baker, for making a bad situation not as bad as it could have been.
- J. G.
Officer R. Irvin
5/19/2025
Officer R. Irvin of Westside station was the officer during my ride along on 05/17 at the 2pm shift. Officer Irvin demonstrated the utmost professionalism during his entire shift. He took the time to demonstrate all procedures from traffic stops to Code 1 calls. Officer Irvin showed enthusiasm in his work in being a mentor to some of the officers we encountered in this field. I was genuinely impressed with his knowledge and skillset demonstrated consistently throughout the shift. Please accept my commendation for officer R. Irvin of Westside station.
- A. S.
Officer Finkelsteing & Officer Fuentes
5/7/2025
It is very refreshing to witness the enthusiasm, care and professionalism of officers Finkelstein and Fuentes. We were met by their enthusiasm last Saturday. My wife and I were the victim’s of a violent car crash. They were the epitome of caring and confidence. They cared enough about us to stop and check while in route to another call. Previously two other HPD cars just drove by and looked-on but didn't stop and check immediate need for assistance. As a retired Army Sergeant Major watching as Officers Finkelstein and Fuentes. returned to assist us. I couldn't help but repeat the US Army professional creed for enlisted leaders which begins with "No-one is more professional than I". The police officer's had the right temperament and communicated effectively in a very high stress environment. They are a shining example of Houston Police professionalism. Promote NOW and assign to positions of greater responsibility. Job well done thank you.
- A. B.
Officer J. Macha and Officer Vu
4/14/2025
On Thursday, April 17th, 2025, I requested HPD to assist me with a corporate property dispute at a business, near the Midwest Div. Station. Officers Macha and Vu responded in quick fashion. They listened intently to my complaint and addressed the matter with the CEO of the Houston business. Subsequent to this, Officer Macha took an inventory of the disputed property and advised the CEO to secure same. He then filed an incident report and reviewed the case with prosecutors by phone. The thorough approach by these officers was the basis for a later agreement with the CEO (the very next day) and all disputed property was later recovered. This may seem "trivial" to those Officers, but their dedication, listening skills and follow-through were the impetus to get this matter resolved. I believe that their Superiors need to know that these Officers are on-point and are to be commended! Thank You!
-D. M.
Officer Bello
4/28/2025
On Easter Sunday afternoon, 04/20/25, I was involved in an automobile accident at the intersection of Westpark Dr. and Eldridge. Houston Police Officer Bello. responded to the scene. He was very professional, polite, and personable. He explained there would not be a report issued because the accident did not result in bodily injuries nor property damage that prevented the vehicles from being driven. Officer Bello made sure myself and the other party were o.k. and that we were able to exchange insurance and contact information, take photos needed for claims, and safely exit the scene.
I was a police officer in a small college town in Mississippi for several years before I continued my career with state and federal agencies. I worked with a number of different law enforcement officers, from municipal, county, state, and federal agencies, before my retirement, in 2007, from federal service. Although policing has gotten much more complicated over the last 40 years, the characteristics of a GOOD cop remain the same...fair, trustworthy, knowledgeable, observant, conscientious, effective communication, and, most importantly, an ability to assess and direct the scene appropriately. Officer Bello demonstrated all these traits in our short encounter. In our current environment, I think it is very important for officers who take pride to "protect and serve" be commended. I would like the opportunity to recognize Officer Bello for a job well done and recommend him for a commendation.
-M. G.
Officer J. Denning
4/22/2025
On behalf of our family, we would like to extend our sincerest gratitude and appreciation for his patience, professionalism and kindness. In today’s challenging climate, where unfortunate incidents have sometimes cast a shadow over law enforcement, we believe it is important to recognize and honor the officers who serve with integrity and dedication. His approach was marked by patience, respect, and courtesy, and he provided a level of comfort to our loved one and to our family during a difficulty time. His commitment to serving the community with compassion and understanding does not go unnoticed, and we truly appreciated the diligence with which he upheld the values of his profession. Thank you Officer Denning for your service.
- ¬T. B.
Officer Villafane
3/22/2025
My 2017 Chevy Silverado was stolen at approximately 0039 on 22 Mar 25, from the Comfort Inn and Suits. Harris County Sherriff contact Houston PD Dispatch and had Officer Villafane dispatched at their request to the location of an air tag that was located inside the vehicle. Upon arriving at the scene, and locating the vehicle, Officer Villafane took it upon himself to contact me directly to let me know that he had found the vehicle and give me a brief assessment as to its condition, inform me of what steps ware normally involved in the recovery process and was extremely professional, cordial and helpful. Once the vehicle was picked up for towing, Officer Villafane again, took it upon himself to contacted me directly to let me know what address the vehicle would be towed to and again, allayed my concerns in a highly professional and calming manner. Officer Villafane's actions were above and beyond the call of duty, commendable and worth of recognition and a sincere thank you from a veteran and grateful citizen.
- T. S.
Officer Murdock
3/23/2025
Officer Murdock and the rest of the officers present at the Tesla protest on Sunday, 3/23 at the Tesla dealership did a great job. They were very professional when informing us of the rules and regulations around the protest, and did a great job mediating and making sure everyone felt safe. I spoke with Murdock afterwards and he was very friendly and professional. It's a small thing that matter, and I just think it is very commendable that he made an effort to make sure everyone was treated nicely and knew what was going on.
So thanks!
- A. K.
Officer Bell
3/12/2025
This morning, while on my way to pick up my spouse after surgery, I was pulled over by Officer Bell on Scott Street for not coming to a complete stop sign. As I’m new to the area, I recognize that I made a mistake, but I want to take a moment to acknowledge Officer Bell’s professionalism and for educating me on the correct way to stop. Thanks to her, I now know that I need to stop for at least three seconds.
Beyond the traffic stop itself, I also wanted to share that I’ve never felt so at ease during a stop until today. I truly appreciate the HPD for having a diverse workforce because representation truly matters. Thank you again, Officer Bell, for the positive interaction, and thank you, HPD, for recognizing the importance of diversity!
- K.B.
Officer D. Terrell & Officer K. Gibson
3/4/2025
On Sunday, March 1, 2025 I attended a free Robert Glasper concert at Emancipation Park. My amazing time at this two-hour concert was cut short due to losing power on my phone. At around 6:20 p.m., I approached officers seeking help as I don't drive and use rideshares to commute. Without hesitation, Officer Terrell demonstrated respect, integrity, and protection as he offered to rideshare me home. Also, Officer Gibson was willing to go to his patrol vehicle to get a portable charger for me to use. Once I arrived
to my home, the officers ensured through a wellness text that I was indeed home. I just want to commend these officers who were on duty, for ensuring my wellbeing as a young woman, not from Houston. They went above and beyond for me in my time of need. Thank you, Houston Police Department, for all you do and for hiring Veterans commitment to selfless service, duty, respect and safety!
- M.J.
Officers Reed & Officer Otabor
2/26/2025
Officers Reed & Officer Otabor responded to my call and recovered an $80,000+ piece of stolen equipment. They were professional, knowledgeable and effective - their efforts saved my business. Please extend my gratitude to these Great Officers!
- J.H.
Officer B. Burgess & Officer M. Osina
2/3/2025
I want you to know how great of a job that Detective B. Burgess & Det. M. Osina did on my case! They worked tirelessly on it and cracked the case in record time!! Due to their immediate attention to detail and work ethic, they were able to make an arrest and convince the criminal to do the right thing and return my property!! I am beyond happy and pleased with the quick results (which far exceeded my expectations)!! I honestly thought my high dollar items were gone forever, but due to the seasoned vets and honestly caring, they were all recovered in the same condition as stolen!! I truly hope this reaches your desk/email, because i want you to know how great this team is!!
- J.M.
Officer M. Gazani
2/1/2025
I am writing to formally commend Officer Gazani for his outstanding service during the recent interaction I had with him. He handled the situation with remarkable professionalism, fairness, and a level of care that went well beyond my expectations. Officer Gazani made a clear effort to resolve the issue and communicated with me every step of the way, ensuring I felt informed and understood the process. His dedication and positive approach made a challenging situation much more manageable, and I believe he deserves recognition for his efforts. Please extend my heartfelt thanks to Officer Gazani for being such an exemplary Officer. I truly appreciate his hard work and the positive impact he had on me.
- J.R.
Officer V. Hobbs
1/31/2025
I am a death investigator and I recently had a case with Ofc. Hobbs. He absolutely went above and beyond with attempting to help notify the very elderly mother of the decedent. He went out of his way to attempt to notify her, as watch command was too busy. He also went to 3 separate addresses attempting to find this mother to be able to notify her in person about the passing of her son. Ofc. Hobbs went as far as consulting with neighbors at the mother's old residence in attempt of finding her new address. I was completely blown away by his dedication to provide a compassionate and personal notification to the decedent's family which is unfortunately very uncommon to encounter. I cannot thank him enough for his help on this scene.
- M.F.
Officer R. Torres
1/25/2025
On the morning of January 22nd, while driving home with my children, I experienced a flat tire on the 288 feeder. Officer Torres noticed our situation and stopped to ask if we needed assistance. He allowed us to sit in the warmth of his truck and, without hesitation, changed my tire in extremely cold weather. It was only after I thanked him that I realized he was off duty and on his way home. I am deeply grateful for Officer Torres and the kindness he displayed to my children and me. It is a comfort to know we have officers like him protecting and serving our community.
- C.C.
Sgt. A. Gonzalez
1/25/2025
Early last Sunday morning, 1/19/25, the morning of the Houston Marathon, I helped walk a ninety-year-old visitor from San Antonio from the starting area of the Houston Marathon to the finish area at the George R Brown Convention Center. Somewhere along the way the woman, lost her purse, which contained her identification, wallet, and car/home keys. As you can imagine she was quite distraught and frightened. After getting the woman settled in the Convention Center, I went back and retraced our steps to locate the purse but was unsuccessful. On the way back to the Convention Center I encountered Sgt A. Gonzalez from the Houston Police Department and I asked him if anyone had found and turned in a women’s purse and surprising he said yes. After a few questions regarding the identity of the owner of the purse Sgt Gonzalez went back to the Convention Center with me to verify the identity of the owner of the purse and determine if there was anything missing from it. Sgt. Gonzalez was able to verify that the purse did indeed belong to the woman and that nothing was missing. He returned the purse to her and she was incredibly grateful. During the entire time Sgt. Gonzalez was extremely professional but also compassionate towards the woman. I believe that because of the actions of Sgt. Gonzalez and how he conducted himself, a stressful and frightening situation turned into a model of policing procedure. I would like to recommend Sgt. Gonzalez for a commendation for his actions.
- F.W.
Officer Spive
1/17/2025
My daughter’s car was stolen and this is the officer that showed up to the scene. From beginning to end he was kind, professional, respectful and made us feel at ease. With so much negative light that is shed on police officers, I hope this officer gets the positive credit that he deserves. A bad experience was made better because of him. Thank you.
- R.D.
Kingwood CST
1/13/2025
I would like to commend the Houston Police Department's Crime Suppression unit of officers in the Kingwood area for their outstanding efforts in enhancing public safety. Through their dedication and hard work, they have successfully jailed hundreds of criminals, reducing crime in the community, and making our jobs easier as a public safety association. Their work not only makes Kingwood a safer place to live but also shows that the Houston Police Department is dedicated to protecting Kingwood citizens and maintaining law and order.
Please extend my deepest gratitude to the other officers of the Crime squad for their exceptional service and hard work in making a lasting positive impact on our Kingwood community.
- B.R.
Officer Bailey
1/2/2025
I came to Houston for the holidays to visit family members. While coming home from a holiday party, my brother hit a pothole and immediately got a flat tire. We pulled into the nearby Walmart and tried to change the tire ourselves. The jack was unsuccessful, and I noticed an officer working off-duty at this Walmart. I ran up to him to ask him for his jack and assistance with the tire. Without hesitation, Ofc. Bailey came to assist us. My brother and his husband are a little weary around law and they mentioned how nice Ofc. Bailey was to them and how quick he was to assist us and give us guidance. I appreciate this gesture and want to say my thanks and show my gratitude!
- A.E.