On October 26, 2023, Trooper Curtis Putz of the Texas Highway Patrol Division – Corsicana, was honored with the Purple Heart by the Texas Public Safety Commission (PSC) at the DPS Headquarters in Austin. The award recognizes his remarkable bravery and personal sacrifice during a harrowing incident that occurred on January 31, 2023.
Trooper Curtis Putz's courageous actions came in the face of icy road conditions in North Texas. On that fateful day, he was at the scene of a crash, attending to his duty of providing assistance and ensuring public safety. As he was in the process of donning personal protective equipment outside his patrol unit, tragedy struck.
Another vehicle on the treacherous, icy road lost control and collided with Trooper Putz's patrol unit, trapping him between his vehicle and a concrete barrier. The impact caused the patrol unit to roll over Trooper Putz, leaving him pinned beneath it.
In an inspiring display of unity and solidarity, fellow troopers, firefighters, and tow truck operators who were already on the scene swiftly mobilized to assist. Using various tools, they managed to lift the heavy patrol unit off Trooper Putz, allowing him to breathe and receive initial medical care. Additional resources were called in to extricate him from under the vehicle and provide crucial triage until he could be safely transported to the hospital for further treatment.
In the months that followed, Trooper Putz underwent numerous surgeries and committed himself to an extensive rehabilitation program on his path to recovery. His unwavering determination and strength have been a testament to his resilience and dedication to his duty.
