Texas City Police Department

08/24/2026

Congratulations to TCPD Interim Chief James Patterson on graduating earlier this month from East Texas A&M University with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice! He has been accepted into East Texas A&M University’s graduate school and will begin pursuing his master’s degree in organizational leadership this fall.

When a fellow officer recently graduated, Interim Chief Patterson was the first to make the request to recognize that officer for his achievement and hard work.

And even though he himself graduated the same day, never once did he mention his own accomplishments.

If you know him, that story probably doesn't surprise you. Interim Chief Patterson isn't interested in accolades and in the spotlight is the last place he wants to be.

He was raised in Texas City and simply wants to serve his hometown. He began his career with TCPD just a few years after graduating from Texas City High School and has now served in the department for nearly 20 years.

He holds a Master Peace Officer license from the State of Texas and is a graduate of the FBI-LEEDA Trilogy. In addition, he holds his Basic Instructor Proficiency, Accident Reconstruction Certification and Fi****ms Instructor Proficiency certificates.

To date, he has completed more than 3,700 hours of continuing education law enforcement training.

During his tenure with TCPD, Interim Chief Patterson has served in a variety of assignments, including Patrol Officer, Duty Corporal, S.W.A.T. Operator, Field Training Officer, Crime Scene Investigator, Patrol Sergeant, Administrative Sergeant, Patrol Lieutenant and Administrative Captain.

In our department's current period of transition, he has stepped up and led our department effectively, efficiently, and with fairness and transparency.

Congratulations, Interim Chief Patterson! Thank you for your leadership, your tireless work and your heart for our community.

08/17/2026

Congratulations to TCPD Captain Chris Kelemen on graduating from East Texas A&M University last weekend! Captain Kelemen now holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice with an emphasis in Law Enforcement Leadership

His blend of law enforcement expertise, dedication to professional growth and academic achievement continues to benefit both our department and the community we serve.

Captain Kelemen is a native of Galveston and a graduate of Ball High School. He began his law enforcement career in August 2000 and joined our ranks in 2015. He is a Master Peace Officer as certified by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE).

Over the course of his career with Texas City PD, Captain Kelemen has taken on a range of investigative and leadership positions.

He worked as a detective in the Criminal Investigations Division for four years before earning his promotion to Sergeant in 2023. His advancement continued with a promotion to Lieutenant in August 2024, followed by a promotion to Captain in April 2025.

In his current role as the Support Services Captain, he oversees the Criminal Investigations Division, the Identification Division, and the Office of Professional Standards.

He provides direction for these units, working to ensure they operate effectively in support of our commitment to professional, ethical, and community-focused policing.

Congratulations, Captain Kelemen, and thank you for your dedication and service to our community. Go Lions!

08/13/2026

🔵 Search and Rescue Effort on Moses Lake Ends in Fatality

A Texas City resident was found deceased in Moses Lake after an extensive search by first responders.

At approximately 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, Texas City resident Robert Kenneth Gass left his residence in the Moses Lake area by boat.

At approximately 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, a neighbor reported seeing Gass’s boat capsized near the flood gate.

The Texas City Fire Department (TCFD), Galveston County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO), Texas Search and Rescue (Texas SAR), and the U.S. Coast Guard responded and conducted an extensive search of Moses Lake using boats and helicopters.

During the search, responders located Gass deceased in the central portion of Moses Lake. We extend our deepest condolences to the Gass family during this difficult time.

We thank the Texas City Fire Department, the Galveston County Sheriff's Office, Texas Search and Rescue and the US Coast Guard for their partnership and tireless efforts to throughout this search.

08/13/2026

🔵 TCPD investigation ongoing

At approximately 5:30 p.m. yesterday, a Texas City resident went fishing on Moses Lake. At approximately 2:30 p.m. today, a neighbor of the missing resident observed a boat capsized in Moses Lake near the flood gate.

The Galveston County Sheriff’s Office boat and Dive team are on scene, along with Texas Search and Rescue, the Texas City Police Department, the Texas City Fire Department and their water rescue boat.

It remains an active scene.

08/06/2026

The kids weren't the only ones having fun this past Saturday at H-E-B Kids' Day. Thank you to everyone who stopped by to say hi to our officers. You made this such a fun day for us!

We'd also like to give an extra thank you to everyone who donated in support of our annual Blue Santa Toy Drive, which helps brighten the holiday season for so many kids in our area.

08/06/2026

🔹 Two Arrests Made in Homicide Investigation 🔹

On May 4, 2026, at approximately 10:54 p.m., our officers responded to a reported weapons offense in the 8600 block of Emmett F. Lowry Expressway. The victim, identified as 19-year-old Prince Pratt of Texas City, suffered at least one gunshot wound and was transported to a local hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.

After nearly three months of investigation, our detectives obtained arrest warrants for 19-year-old Albert Huddy Hart IV and 31-year-old Christopher Albert.

The U.S. Marshals Gulf Coast Violent Offenders Task Force - Galveston, in conjunction with Homeland Security Investigations Fugitive Investigations and Search Team (FIST), conducted simultaneous arrest operations in Houston, taking both suspects into custody without incident.

We would like to thank the League City Police Department, Galveston Police Department, La Marque Police Department, Galveston County District Attorney’s Office, the U.S. Marshals Gulf Coast Violent Offenders Task Force - Galveston, and Homeland Security Investigations Fugitive Investigations and Search Team (FIST) for their assistance throughout this investigation. Their cooperation, professionalism, and commitment were instrumental in bringing this investigation to this point.

The investigation remains active. Anyone with information related to this case is encouraged to contact our Criminal Investigations Division at (409) 643-5823.

If you wish to remain anonymous, please call Mainland Communities Crime Stoppers at (409) 845-8477 or visit:
https://www.facebook.com/Tips4Rewards or
P3 Tips https://www.p3tips.com/community/index.htm

07/10/2026

Yesterday, members of our Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force concluded an investigation into Possession of Child Po*******hy in the 800 block of 10th Avenue North. This investigation stemmed from several cybertips received from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.

Jessie Ryan Portillo (36 years old) of Texas City was identified during this investigation as a suspect, and with the tireless efforts of members of our ICAC Task Force, along with La Porte Police Department, Santa Fe Police Department, Texas, and the Texas City Police & La Marque Police SWAT, he was taken into custody on July 9, 2026, for the offense of Possession/Promote/Product Certain Visual Material Depicting a Child and has a bond of $100,000.

We would like to thank the assisting agencies for their help with this investigation, as well as thank our community for their continued support.

Our department will continue the fight to protect our youth and bring these offenders to justice.

06/30/2026