local
Texas DPS crew honored for Rio Grande Valley flood rescue
By Alex Cano at KGNS (NBC/ABC affiliate) — Local News
· June 29, 2026
· 1 min read
LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - Three Texas Department of Public Safety officers have received Lifesaving Awards for a high-risk hoist rescue conducted during catastrophic Rio Grande Valley flooding last March.DPS Lieutenant Pilot Brandon Palmer of Laredo , Lieutenant Pilot Dustin Ponce of Edinburg, and res...
Key takeaway (KGNS) - Three Texas Department of Public Safety officers have received Lifesaving Awards for a high-risk hoist rescue conducted during catastrophic Rio Grande Valley flooding last March.
Why this matters in The Laredo
The recognition of these Texas Department of Public Safety officers for their bravery in the Rio Grande Valley flood rescue is a testament to the critical role that first responders play in keeping our communities safe. The fact that Lieutenant Pilot Brandon Palmer is from Laredo highlights the local connection to this heroic effort. The rescue itself, which involved pulling a survivor from a flooded canal, demonstrates the high-risk nature of the work that these officers do. This incident also underscores the importance of emergency preparedness and response in our region, which is prone to severe weather events. As the city of Laredo continues to grow and develop, it is crucial that our public safety resources are equipped to handle these types of situations, and that our officers receive the training and recognition they deserve for their life-saving work. The bravery of these officers will not be forgotten in our community.
About this story
Original reporting by KGNS (NBC/ABC affiliate) — Local News . The Laredo surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KGNS (NBC/ABC affiliate) — Local News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 29, 2026 ·
Source: KGNS (NBC/ABC affiliate) — Local News ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - Three Texas Department of Public Safety officers have received Lifesaving Awards for a high-risk hoist rescue conducted during catastrophic Rio Grande Valley flooding last March.DPS Lieutenant Pilot Brandon Palmer of Laredo, Lieutenant Pilot Dustin Ponce of Edinburg, and res...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 29, 2026 by KGNS (NBC/ABC affiliate) — Local News and curated for The Laredo readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Alex Cano at KGNS (NBC/ABC affiliate) — Local News. To learn more about how The Laredo selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Laredo, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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