Emergency Relief Fund

The members of DPS Officer's Association are not unlike the citizens of any Texas community and often experience the same hardships and trials common to everyone. It is at just such times that this unique DPSOA assistance program reaches out to support its members. Whether a natural disaster, a personal hardship, or medical emergency our members are eligible to receive relief funds. This program is available at the discretion of the Board of Directors, and provides immediate aid for the use of DPSOA members.

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DPSOA Hurricane Ike Relief

Hurricane Ike was the ninth named storm, fifth hurricane and third major hurricane of the 2008 Atlantic hurricane season. It was a Cape Verde-type hurricane, as it started as a tropical disturbance off the coast of Africa near the end of August, then tracked south of Cape Verde and slowly developed. On September 1, it became a tropical storm west of the Cape Verde islands.

By the early morning hours of September 4, Ike was a Category 4 hurricane, hitting its peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 145 mph (233 km/h) and a pressure of 935 mbar (27.61 inHg). That made it the most intense storm so far in the 2008 Atlantic hurricane season. Ike has been blamed for143 deaths in the Caribbean and inland United States. Damages from Ike in US coastal areas are estimated at $27 billion. If the estimates are accurate, Ike will be the fourth costliest Atlantic hurricane and third costliest U.S. hurricane of all time. Many coastal residents are still displaced and others continue to be without electrical power.

Many of our Troopers and their families have experienced damage to their homes and property loss from hurricane Ike. DPS Officers Association has been quick to provide assistance to our members in the form of financial support, approximately $8400 as of September 23, and $2000 in mission specific clothing. DPSOA will continue to respond to member's requests for help.

                         Trooper inspecting a barge left high and dry by Ike

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Glad We Could Help

 Lieutenant Estella D. Valenzuela resides in Midland, Texas where she is assigned to the DPS, Driver License Division.  She is pictured below with Texas Rangers Captain Barry Caver, (Retired) receiving a check from the DPS Officers Association to help defray significant medical expenses incurred in her battle with cancer.  The DPS Officers Association was happy to have the opportunity to help the Valenzuela family in light of the many hardships they faced. 

The good news is that Lt. Valenzuela was recently declared cancer free, following a series of tests that included a CT scan and bone marrow biopsy.  Through these difficult and uncertain times Estella felt very blessed by the help of family, friends, and DPSOA.