AUSTIN, Texas – At the August 11 meeting of the Public Safety Commission, Chairman Stephen P. Mach, Nelda Luce Blair, Dan Hord, Larry Long, and Steven Stodghill joined Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Colonel Freeman F. Martin in honoring Trooper Joseph Sherman of Corsicana with the Purple Heart.
“It is a privilege to be able to honor Trooper Sherman’s bravery and selfless dedication to the people of Texas in this way,” said DPS Colonel Freeman F. Martin. “His courage and resilience are an inspiration to all of us, and he serves as a shining example for all the men and women of this department.”
The award recognizes Sherman’s service and sacrifice following a March 13, 2025, incident in which he was seriously injured while providing traffic control on Interstate 45 in Corsicana.
Sherman and Trooper Noah Thompson were assisting with the removal of a disabled commercial vehicle when a Ford F-250 veered off the road, struck their patrol unit, and continued toward them. Despite attempts to move out of the way, both troopers were hit. Sherman suffered a broken right tibia and was transported to Navarro Regional Hospital for emergency surgery. He remains under medical care.
The Purple Heart is awarded to commissioned officers seriously injured in the line of duty. DPS leadership commended Sherman’s bravery, resilience, and dedication to the people of Texas.
