AUSTIN (Talk1370.com) -- Col. Steve McCraw, the longtime director of the Texas Department of Public Safety, announced his retirement Friday.
McCraw's retirement will be effective at the end of the year. He's led the agency for 15 years, since 2009, though his career with DPS goes back to his start as a trooper in 1977.
“Serving as the Director of the Texas Department of Public Safety has been the greatest honor of my life. I leave knowing that the future of this department is in the best possible hands–yours. Your continued efforts and commitment to excellence have made, and will continue to make, a profound difference in the lives of those around you,” McCraw said in an email sent to DPS staffers Friday morning.
McCraw made his announcement Friday morning at a graduation ceremony for the newest class of DPS recruits. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott delivered the keynote address at the ceremony, and spoke about McCraw.
“It has been an honor to work with Director Steve McCraw," said Abbott. "He is a leader, visionary, and the quintessential lawman that Texas is so famous for—big, white cowboy hat and all."
McCraw spent six years as a DPS trooper and narcotics agent before joining the FBI in 1983, including anti-terrorism efforts in the wake of the 9/11 attacks. Then-Gov. Rick Perry lured him back to Texas in 2004 as the state's homeland security director, before taking over his current role in 2009.
