TABC agent awarded 2025 State of Texas Law Enforcement Achievement Award for Valor for response to active shooter at Houston’s Lakewood Church

AUSTIN — Agent Adrian Herrera of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) received the 2025 State of Texas Law Enforcement Achievement Award for Valor from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE). The award was presented on June 13 during a ceremony in the Texas House of Representatives Chamber at the Texas Capitol.

Herrera was honored for his quick response that stopped an active shooter at Houston’s Lakewood Church last year. The church was holding a Sunday afternoon service on Feb. 11, 2024, when a woman opened fire with a long rifle in the lobby of the building. Herrera, who is stationed at TABC’s Houston office, was providing security for the church during his off-duty hours. After gunfire erupted, a church volunteer notified church security. Herrera and another off-duty officer then approached the woman and exchanged gunfire before neutralizing the threat.

“Agent Herrera answered the call to action without regard for his own safety that day, saving countless lives,” TABC Executive Director Thomas Graham said. “Agent Herrera’s commitment to protecting others is one shared by every TABC agent and peace officer across Texas, whether they’re clocked in or not. This is a very proud day for our agency.”

TCOLE’s annual State of Texas Law Enforcement Achievement Awards recognize peace officers, reserve officers, telecommunicators, and jailers who have demonstrated exceptional performance beyond the standard expectations of their duties through acts of professional achievement, public service, or valor. Winners are decided by a judging panel and the TCOLE Board of Commissioners.

“We want to thank TCOLE for recognizing Agent Herrera with this esteemed honor and for sharing his story,” Graham said.

Herrera was also named 2024 National Alcohol Law Enforcement Agent of the Year by the National Liquor Law Enforcement Association in November 2024 and he received the 100 Club of Houston’s Officer of the Year award in May this year. He joined TABC as an agent in March 2019.