DPS Trooper, Irvin High School grad remembered during pre-game ceremony
(IRVIN HIGH SCHOOL – Sept. 19, 2022) – Irvin High School honored Anthony Salas – a 2003 graduate who served with the U.S. Marines and died in the line of duty as a special agent with the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) – during a pre-game ceremony Friday, Sept. 16, 2022, at Irvin Memorial Stadium before kickoff between the Rockets and Mountain View High School.
Salas’ wife, Lizzett, along with their children and other family members were present on Tony Shaw Field as several DPS vehicles flashed their lights and a helicopter flyover took place at the conclusion of the national anthem before the game in remembrance of Salas’ service and sacrifice.
Salas, 37, died Jan. 22, 2022, after being injured in a tragic accident near Eagle Pass on Jan. 21. He was conducting tactical operations in Maverick County as part of a DPS Special Operations Group working with the U.S. Border Patrol Tactical Unit (BORTAC) for Operation Lone Star when he was involved in a crash. Salas was taken to Fort Duncan Regional Medical Center in Eagle Pass, before he was airlifted to University Hospital in San Antonio, where he died.
Along with his wife, Salas is survived by three children, Alessandra, Isabella, and Luke.
He joined DPS in July 2013, initially stationed in McKinney. In 2015, he transferred to El Paso, and in 2019, Salas was promoted to special agent with the Criminal Investigations Division. He was also a member of the DPS West Texas Special Response Team and routinely participated in special operations. He was a man dedicated to service. Prior to joining DPS he served in the United States Marine Corps for almost nine years, earning the rank of sergeant. He remained a proud Marine.
Salas is the 226th DPS officer to die in the line of duty since 1823.
Photo by Leonel Monroy, Jr.