A traffic stop is one of the most routine duties performed by a law enforcement officer. For Austin County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Alyssa Lopez, however, a traffic stop on April 24, 2026, became anything but routine.
Officer Lopez was conducting a traffic stop when the driver fled and struck her with the vehicle. She suffered serious injuries in the incident, beginning what the Austin County Sheriff’s Office described as a long road to recovery.
Less than five months later, on September 11, 2026, Officer Lopez stood among first responders from across Texas in Austin as Governor Greg Abbott recognized her with one of the state’s honors for those seriously injured or killed while serving others — the Star of Texas Award.
Officer Lopez was surrounded by many of the people who have supported her since the incident, including family members, friends, fellow Austin County Sheriff’s Office deputies and employees, members of the Sealy Police Department and representatives of other law enforcement agencies.
The Star of Texas Award carries particular significance because it is reserved for those whose service has come at an extraordinary personal cost.
Created by the Texas Legislature through House Bill 1937 in 2003, the Star of Texas Awards recognize peace officers, firefighters and emergency medical first responders who are seriously injured or killed in the line of duty. The program was later expanded to include certain federal law enforcement officers and citizens seriously injured or killed while assisting first responders.
The legislation that created the award also designated September 11 as Texas First Responders Day, making the annual ceremony a time to remember both the first responders lost in the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and those who continue to face danger while protecting their communities.
According to the Office of the Governor, more than 762 Texans have been honored with the Star of Texas Award since the program began in 2003.
Officer Lopez was one of 44 recipients named during the 2026 ceremony, which included peace officers, firefighters and emergency medical first responders from agencies across the state. Her name appeared alongside members of departments from Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio and other Texas communities.
Austin County Sheriff Jack Brandes expressed pride in Officer Lopez and gratitude for those who supported her and her family throughout her recovery.
Her recognition comes on the 25th anniversary of September 11, a day forever associated with the courage and sacrifice of first responders. During Friday’s ceremony, Governor Abbott reflected on those who ran toward danger during the 2001 attacks and the men and women who continue to accept that risk as part of their service to their communities.
For Officer Lopez, the Star of Texas Award recognizes a sacrifice that began during what should have been an ordinary day on patrol. The traffic stop lasted only moments, but the injuries that followed changed the months ahead.
Friday’s ceremony marked another moment in her story — this time with Officer Lopez standing alongside her family, friends and fellow officers as the State of Texas formally recognized the sacrifice she made while serving the people of Austin County.
