Gov. Greg Abbott recognized a Corpus Christi police officer with an award at the 50th Anniversary Convention of the Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas in San Antonio on Oct. 3.
Senior officer Kyle Simmons of the Corpus Christi Police Department was named a recipient of the 2026 Officer of the Year Award, according to a news release from the governor's office.
Simmons is among 17 law enforcement officers recognized with the award across Texas, the news release said.
On Aug. 10, 2025, Simmons responded to a vehicle that caught fire after striking a pole and palm tree, Corpus Christi Police Department senior officer Antonio Contreras said.
Simmons was honored for rescuing the driver of the vehicle who was trapped inside and moving the passenger,
who had landed outside the vehicle, to safety.
After several attempts and battling intense heat and smoke, he freed the driver's legs, which had caught on fire, and pulled the driver out before the vehicle became fully engulfed.
The award also recognizes Simmons' role as a member of the Corpus Christi Police Officers Association Board of Directors.
In remarks at the convention, Abbott praised law enforcement for serving their state.
On Oct. 2, Abbott proclaimed October 2026 as Law Enforcement Appreciation Month in Texas.
Felicity Guajardo covers breaking news and public safety. Contact her at felicity.guajardo@caller.com.
This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Corpus Christi police officer among 17 in Texas to receive award
