Leaders of Operation Lone Start Task Force receive awards

“When former President Joe Biden refused to protect the border, Gov. Greg Abbott launched Operation Lone Star,” Banks told The Center Square. “OLS officers were the only ones holding the line between the criminal cartels and law and order in the state of Texas. 

“Once the Trump administration allowed Border Patrol to do their job, they began collaborating with Texas at an unprecedented level," Banks said. "This cooperation led to the most secure border in recorded history in our country. This would never have been possible without the foundation of OLS already in place and the work of the task force. It is essential that OLS and the task force continue to be funded for the security of Texas and the United States.”

While recipients expressed appreciation, they also emphasized their efforts were possible because of all task force members. 

The awards were presented while also recognizing major national and Texas milestones: the 250th anniversary of American independence, the 190th anniversary of Texas independence, the 25th year anniversary of 9/11, the five-year anniversary of OLS and the four-year anniversary of the OLS Task Force. 

During the Biden administration, Texas bore the brunt of illegal border crosser crime and had the most illegal border crossers of any state, roughly 5 million, including those who evaded capture known as gotaways, The Center Square reported. Since Abbott launched OLS in March 2021, OLS officers have arrested more than half a million people and deterred more than 160,000 illegal entries, The Center Square reported.

Due to Trump administration and Banks’ policies, illegal crossings dropped to historic lows and Border Patrol broke recruitment records, The Center Square reported. 

When the OLS Task Force was launched in 2021, there were roughly 20 members. They were overwhelmed with border crime and faced challenges. Texas communities would have been “in very, very dire straits,” were it not for Abbott, John Davis told The Center Square in 2022. Sheriffs and police chiefs couldn’t handle the volume on their own; OLS proved to be “vital to the success of the safety of our citizens,” he said.

Four years later, more than 60 task force members have joined; more are expected to join. OLS 2.0 efforts are targeting transnational threats, including terrorism. Task force members are actively participating in federal immigration enforcement, apprehending violent criminals, human traffickers, making large drug busts and finding missing children. 

John Davis’ son, Caleb Davis, told The Center Square his dad always emphasized that the OLS Task Force was founded on a nonpartisan collaborative approach to combat crime. “The cartels are victimizing everyone. Victims of drugs, trafficking, guns, whatever the cartels are smuggling are just a commodity to them. Crime is nonpartisan. Justice knows no bounds when it comes to party lines. My dad always said, ‘less political rhetoric and more results.’ That best describes the task force. Task force members are committed to protecting all innocent lives. I’m very proud of their ongoing efforts."

Brooks County Sheriff Benny Martinez agreed, telling The Center Square the task force’s efforts wouldn’t be possible without Abbott, who “has always supported us. He stepped up and knew the needs of our respective counties.”

During an unprecedented crisis, “Sheriff Boyd also stepped up and put this task force together knowing very well that we have a combination of political backgrounds and challenges," Martinez said. "He listens to the needs of each county, then we go in and we meet those needs. That’s what it’s all about."

“But the task force stands together in a united purpose on following the rule of law. That’s what makes it strong," he said. "The task force is unique because it’s not just about one person but all of us working together. Having the right people on the task force is essential; they aren’t out for themselves.”

Working with Banks as Texas Border Czar also “enhanced our efforts. His knowledge and expertise in the field put a heck of a combination together,” Martinez said.

Martinez and former Zapata County Sheriff Raymundo Del Bosque, both elected as Democrats, have served their border communities for years. Zapata County has been targeted by cartels with smuggling routes crossing Falcon Lake, The Center Square reported. In Brooks County, active interdiction operations are underway in a county that has recovered a record number of corpses, The Center Square reported.

Del Bosque, now with the Texas Department of Agriculture, also pointed to the leadership of Boyd and Banks as critical to the task force’s efforts. 

“True leadership is measured not by titles alone, but by service, integrity, and the trust earned from those you stand beside,” Del Bosque told The Center Square. “Sheriff Roy Boyd has been an exceptional leader and a tremendous asset to Operation Lone Star, working tirelessly to strengthen partnerships, support law enforcement across Texas, and safeguard the people of this great state. Chief Michael Banks’ leadership, integrity, and steadfast voice were always there to support Texas Border sheriffs, Texas sheriffs, and every law enforcement agency dedicated to protecting our communities.”

The awards were handmade by Corpus Christi-based Gypsie Finns owners, Marcos and Shawna Armendariz, avid supporters of law enforcement. Marcos is a retired Border Patrol agent who served for nearly 24 years in Arizona and Texas. Their son is a police officer.

A common theme expressed by task force members was their faith, with several quoting Bible verses, including Ezekiel 33:1-6, Matthew 5:9 and Joshua 1:9.