AUSTIN, Texas—Tarrant County Deputy Todd Tipton was among 28 heroic Texans awarded the Star of Texas by Governor Greg Abbott on Thursday, September 11. This prestigious award recognizes peace officers, firefighters, and EMS personnel who have been seriously injured or killed in the line of duty.
The award commemorates the actions of Deputy Tipton on August 7, 2024, when he was wounded by gunfire while attempting to serve felony warrants in Fort Worth. As deputies breached the front door of a home where a suspect wanted for crimes against children was located, the suspect opened fire, striking Deputy Tipton three times. He sustained gunshot wounds to the arm and lower back, and a bullet grazed his head.
During the exchange of gunfire, fellow officers Sgt. Smith and Deputy Brown are credited with pulling the injured Tipton to safety. In February 2025, the Tarrant County Commissioners Court had previously honored Tipton and other deputies with a Proclamation of Valor and Heroism for their bravery during the incident.
