SOUTHEAST TEXAS RECORD

AUSTIN - Governor Perry announced that nominations are currently being accepted for the 2013 Star of Texas Awards, which honor peace officers, firefighters and emergency medical first responders who were killed or sustained a serious injury in the line of duty. 

Nominations for this year's awards must be submitted to the Governor's Office by July 31, with the awards ceremony taking place in September.

"The Star of Texas Awards recognizes the brave individuals who risk their own lives in order to protect those in their community," Gov. Perry said. "Although we can never adequately thank them and their families for their sacrifice and service to our state, these awards honor the bravery and selflessness of peace officers, firefighters and emergency medical first responders who have been injured or killed in the line of duty."

In 2007, Beaumont Police Officer Lisa Beaulieu was a recipient of the Star of Texas Award. Beaulieu was killed on April 27, 2007, while assisting with traffic control at the scene of a motor vehicle accident. She was struck by an oncoming vehicle, and died three hours later from her injuries.

To be eligible for the 2013 awards, the critical incident must have occurred between Sept. 1, 2008, and June 30, 2013, and the first responder must not have previously received a Star of Texas Award for that particular event.

n 2003, the 78th Texas Legislature passed and Gov. Perry signed House Bill 1937, creating the Star of Texas Awards to honor and commemorate selected first responders who made profound commitments while performing their duties as peace officers, firefighters and emergency medical first responders. HB 1937 also designated Sept. 11 of every year as Texas First Responders Day.

In 2005, amendments to the Star of Texas Awards statute (Texas Government Code Chapter 3106) expanded awards to include all peace officers, firefighters, and emergency medical first responders who were seriously injured or killed in the line of duty on or after September 1, 2003.

In 2007 Governor Perry signed HB 1164 into law amending the Star of Texas Awards statute to include awards for federal law enforcement officers or special agents seriously injured or killed while performing duties in Texas while assisting a state or local law enforcement agency.

Three advisory committees (one for each category of first responder) that are appointed by the Governor review award nominations each year to ensure that they meet statutory criteria.

Nominate an individual for a Star of Texas Award.