MEDIA RELATIONS
The purpose and function of the Public Information Office is to serve as a liaison between the Temple Police Department, the community, and the news media. The police department recognizes the need to communicate openly with the public and the media; therefore, the PIO staff strives to provide accurate and factual information in a timely and impartial manner while protecting both the prosecution’s case and the rights of the accused from possible prejudicial publicity.
TPD is committed to informing the community and members of the news media of events that are handled by, or involve, the Department. Employees will cooperate fully in meeting the relevant information needs of the public and the news media. Every reasonable effort should be made to obtain the requested information, so long as the release of that information conforms to federal and state laws and follows established Department guidelines.
TPD PIO staff does not handle open records requests. Citizens wishing to submit open record requests should send their request to the City of Temple Secretary’s Office at (254) 298-5301.
For all other inquiries, please contact:
City of Temple PIO
(C)254-298-5PIO
pio@templetx.gov
NEWS RELEASES
TPD is dedicated to transparency and providing community members the same information the department relays to the media.
March 2023 - News Releases
March 22: Temple Police Department offers Special Needs stickers for residents
March 15: TPD investigates shooting, no injuries reported
March 10: Temple Police Department arrests Bank Jugging suspect
February 2023 - News Releases
February 16: Temple Police Department investigates shooting that damages vehicle
February 16: Temple Police Department investigates shots fired call
February 14: UPDATE: Temple Police Department investigates aggravated sexual assault
February 9: Temple Police Department investigates aggravated sexual assault
February 8: Temple Police Department investigates armed robbery
February 7: TPD issues statement regarding trial verdict
February 7: TPD investigates shooting, one injured
February 6: UPDATE: TPD investigates aggravated robbery
February 5: UPDATE: Temple Police Department responds to fatality crash
February 5: UPDATE: Temple Police Department responds to fatality crash
February 4: TPD investigates shooting, no injuries reported
February 4: Temple Police Department responds to fatality crash
February 3: Temple Police Department responds to fatality crash
February 2: TPD investigates shooting, no injuries reported
February 1: TPD investigates aggravated robbery
January 2023 - News Releases
January 30: Temple Police Department investigates aggravated robbery
January 29: TPD investigates shooting, house damaged
January 27: TPD investigates shooting, no injuries but building damaged
January 26: TPD investigate multiple crashes on I-35
January 26: UPDATE: Temple Police Department investigates homicide
January 25: UPDATE: TPD investigates shooting, one victim injured
January 25: TPD investigates shooting, one victim injured
January 14: TPD investigates aggravated assault
December 2022 - News Releases
December 18: TPD investigates shooting incident that resulted in property damage
December 17: TPD investigates aggravated robbery, no injuries reported
December 12: TPD continues to investigate shooting, one male deceased and one female injured
December 11: TPD investigates shooting that injures one victim
December 11: TPD investigates single vehicle crash that results in stabbing injuries
December 11: TPD investigates a home invasion robbery
December 10: TPD investigates shooting that damages one vehicle
November 2022 - News Releases
November 29: TPD investigates shooting, one victim injured
November 27: Temple Police Department investigates incident that resulted in property damage, no injuries reported
November 24: Temple Police Department responds to fatality crash
November 22: Temple Police Department investigates shooting, one person injured
November 3: Temple Police Department investigates fatal car crash
October 2022 - News Releases
October 25: Temple Police Department investigates armed robbery, searching for suspect
October 11: Temple Police Department investigates shooting incident, one person injured
October 10: Temple Police Department investigates aggravated assault, one person injured
October 6: Temple Police Department investigates armed robbery, no injuries reported
September 2022 - News Releases
September 20: Temple Police Department investigates stabbing incident, arrests person of interest
September 9: Temple Police Department investigates aggravated robbery
September 9: Temple Police Department receives certification for completing the One Mind Campaign initiative
September 1: Temple Police Department identifies deceased in hit-and-run
August 2022 - News Releases
August 31: Temple Police Department investigates deadly hit-and-run
August 21: Temple Police Department investigates shooting, one male injured
August 16: Temple Police Department arrests two individuals in armed robbery case
August 16: Temple Police Department detains three individuals in armed robbery case
August 15: Temple Police Department identifies victim in vehicle accident
August 14: Temple Police Department responds to fatal vehicle accident
August 13: Temple Police Department investigates armed robbery, no injuries reported
August 13: Temple Police Department investigates shooting incident, one male injured
August 10: Temple Police Department identifies drowning victim
August 8: Temple Police Department investigates drowning
August 5: TPD investigates robbery, 1 adult and 1 juvenile arrested
August 3: TPD identifies deceased male in three-vehicle accident
August 2: Temple Police Department investigates three-vehicle accident, one person deceased
July 2022 - News Releases
July 30: Murder suspect arrested in Rockdale, TX
July 29: TPD seeks person of interest in stabbing investigation
July 29: TPD identifies deceased in Thursday evening stabbing
July 28: UPDATE: TPD investigates stabbing death
July 28: TPD investigates stabbing, one individual injured
July 23: TPD investigates stabbing incident, one male wounded
July 21: UPDATE: TPD identifies deceased in submerged vehicle incident
July 21: UPDATE: Temple Police Department identifies deceased in rollover crash
July 20: Temple Police Department investigates rollover crash, one person deceased
July 20: UPDATE: TPD recovers body from submerged vehicle incident
July 20: TPD recovers vehicle submerged under water, vehicle unoccupied
July 19: TPD investigates a second shooting incident, no injuries reported
July 18: TPD investigates drive-by shooting, no injuries reported
July 17: TPD investigates shooting, no injuries reported
July 16: TPD investigates shooting, one male injured
July 14: UPDATE: Temple Police Department identifies deceased in single-vehicle accident
July 14: Temple Police Department investigates vehicle accident, one victim suffering life-threatening injuries
July 8: TPD investigates shooting, one juvenile injured
July 5: TPD investigates robbery, searching for suspect
July 2: TPD investigates shooting incident, one victim injured
June 2022 - News Releases
June 21: TPD investigates shooting incident
June 18: TPD investigates evening robbery
June 18: UPDATE: TPD continues to investigate standoff incident, identifies subject
June 17: TPD arrests subject after standoff
June 16: Temple Police Department investigates evening shooting, two victims injured
June 16: UPDATE: Temple Police Department and Texas Rangers continue investigating critical incident
June 16: Temple Police Department and Texas Rangers continue investigating critical incident
June 15: Temple Police Department and Texas Rangers investigate critical incident
June 14: TPD investigates evening shooting, two victims injured
June 13: UPDATE: Temple Police Department investigates fatal vehicle accident
June 11: Temple Police Department investigates fatal vehicle accident
June 9: Temple Police Department investigates stabbing, detains suspect
June 3: Temple Police Department stops robbery, arrests suspect
June 2: UPDATE: Temple Police Department investigates shooting, one victim deceased
June 1: Temple Police Department investigates shooting, one victim deceased
May 2022 - News Releases
May 24: TPD investigates shots-fired call and afternoon shooting, one victim injured
May 22: Temple Police Department arrests aggravated robbery suspect
May 20: Temple Police Department investigates drive-by shooting
May 12: UPDATE: TPD confirms identity of body found Tuesday
May 11: Temple Police Department investigates missing persons possible death
May 10: One suspect arrested in Temple grocery store meat theft
May 7: Temple Police Department investigates shooting
May 4: TPD seeks information in drive-by shooting
May 2: Temple Police Department arrests shooting suspect
April 2022 - News Releases
April 30: TPD investigates shooting incidents, two victims injured
April 22: TPD asks for public assistance in locating meat theft suspects
April 19: Temple Police Department recovers approximately $60,000 in stolen property
April 18: Temple Police Department investigates meat theft
April 14: Temple Police Department determines City Hall Municipal Building and surrounding area safe
April 13: TPD investigates shooting
April 3: TPD investigates shooting, one victim injured
March 2022 - News Releases
March 29: TPD assists Bell County Sheriff's Office with attempting to locate a subject
March 28: TPD now utilizing Neighbors App by Ring
Temple Police investigating robbery
TEMPLE, TX (March 26, 2022) – The Temple Police Department is investigating a Saturday evening theft.
Around 6pm, one male suspect stole jewelry and cash from a store located in the 3000 block of S. 31st St. The amount that was stolen is unclear at this time.
While the suspect used no weapons during the incident, he threatened to use one.
The suspect fled the scene. There is a possible second subject that assisted the suspect in fleeing.
No injuries were reported.
Anyone with information should call the Temple Police Department at 254-298-5500 or the Bell County Crime Stoppers at 254-526-8477, where callers can report anonymously.
TPD arrests suspect after aggravated assault with a deadly weapon incident
TEMPLE, TX (March 22, 2022) – The Temple Police Department has arrested one male suspect for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and felon in possession of a firearm.
Around 4:40pm, officers responded to the 800 block of S. 31st St.
The suspect allegedly followed the two male subjects. After the subjects confronted him, the suspect attempted to shoot one of the subjects with a pistol, but the bullet did not hit either subject.
All individuals immediately fled the scene, but TPD located and arrested the suspect one block away, in addition to locating the weapon and shell casing at the scene.
No injuries were reported. The suspect and subjects knew each other prior to this incident.
This case is under investigation. Anyone with information should call the Temple Police Department at 254-298-5500 or the Bell County Crime Stoppers at 254-526-8477, where callers can report anonymously.
TPD currently executing evidentiary warrant, two subjects in custody
TEMPLE, TX (March 18, 2022) – The Temple Police Department is currently executing an evidentiary warrant after two handguns were recovered during the investigation of an earlier incident.
On Thursday at approximately 9:30pm, officers were attempting to locate an individual that was wanted for an outstanding arrest warrant in the 2600 block of Nolan Creek Drive. Officers located a vehicle that was occupied by the wanted subject leaving the area. A traffic stop was initiated, but the driver of the vehicle refused to stop, leading to a brief vehicle pursuit.
The pursuit ended near the intersection of S. 24th St. and E. Ave. I. Three individuals were located in the vehicle. Two subjects were arrested, including the initial target, and the third was identified and released.
After the pursuit and arrest, two handguns were recovered that were believed to have been thrown from the vehicle during the pursuit. Officers are still on-scene executing an evidentiary warrant in the 2600 block of Nolan Creek Drive related to a previous shooting incident, which occurred recently in Temple.
There are no reported injuries to officers or the subjects.
Anyone with information should call the Temple Police Department at 254-298-5500 or the Bell County Crime Stoppers at 254-526-8477, where callers can report anonymously.
TPD resolves barricade incident
TEMPLE, TX (March 17, 2022) – The Temple Police Department has arrested one male subject after a barricade incident.
At 7:12pm, officers were dispatched to the 200 block of S. 16th St. on a warrant service. Upon officers’ arrival, the subject barricaded himself in a camper in the backyard of the property. After negotiations and the deployment of chemical munitions, the suspect exited the camper and was taken into custody.
There are no reported injuries to officers or the subject.
Anyone with information should call the Temple Police Department at 254-298-5500 or the Bell County Crime Stoppers at 254-526-8477, where callers can report anonymously.
TPD investigates discharge of a firearm
TEMPLE, TX (March 14, 2022) – The Temple Police Department is investigating an afternoon discharge of a firearm (shots fired).
At 12:23pm, officers were dispatched to the area of Birdcreek Drive for a shots fired call. While canvassing the area and searching for suspects, officers heard shots fired in the 2400 block of S. 61st St.
No suspects have been identified at this time.
No injuries have been reported related to this incident at this time.
This case is still under investigation. Anyone with information should contact the Temple Police Department at 254-298-5500 or the Bell County Crime Stoppers at 254-526-8477, where callers can report anonymously.
TPD investigates shooting, juvenile victim injured
TEMPLE, TX (March 4, 2022) – UPDATE: The victim is 16 years old.
TPD believes the involved vehicle in the photo is a Ford Escape.
TEMPLE, TX (March 4, 2022) – UPDATE: A photo of a vehicle involved in the incident is attached.
This case is still under investigation. Anyone with information should contact the Temple Police Department at 254-298-5500 or the Bell County Crime Stoppers at 254-526-8477, where callers can report anonymously.
TEMPLE, TX (March 3, 2022) – The Temple Police Department is investigating a shooting that sent one juvenile male to the hospital.
Officers were dispatched at 6:21pm to the 1200 block of S. 26th St. after a 15-year-old male victim was shot. It is unclear the amount of times the victim was shot.
TPD is searching for three male suspects involved in the shooting.
The victim was transported to Baylor Scott & White Hospital and is in stable condition.
This case is still under investigation. Anyone with information should contact the Temple Police Department at 254-298-5500 or the Bell County Crime Stoppers at 254-526-8477, where callers can report anonymously.
TPD investigates shooting
TEMPLE, TX (March 3, 2022) – The Temple Police Department is investigating a shooting that sent one male to the hospital.
Officers were dispatched at 5:17pm to the 1000 block of S. 31st St. after a male victim was shot.
TPD is searching for two male persons of interest driving a gray, four-door 2001 Lexus ES3 with the license plate number DWD7962.
The victim was transported to Baylor Scott & White Hospital and is in stable condition.
This case is still under investigation. Anyone with information should contact the Temple Police Department at 254-298-5500 or the Bell County Crime Stoppers at 254-526-8477, where callers can report anonymously.
February 2022 - News Releases
TPD searches for robbery suspect
TEMPLE, TX (February 22, 2022) – The Temple Police Department is searching for a robbery suspect.
This morning, the suspect walked out of a store in the Brooks Dr. area with a battery. After a store employee tried to stop him, the suspect assaulted the employee.
The suspect is a middle-aged male wearing a white T-shirt, blue jeans and a cowboy hat.
The employee sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
Anyone with information should contact the Temple Police Department at 254-298-5500 or the Bell County Crime Stoppers at 254-526-8477, where callers can report anonymously.
TPD investigates crash on I-35
TEMPLE, TX (February 12, 2022) – The Temple Police Department is investigating a crash involving an 18-wheeler and one vehicle on northbound I-35 by Central Ave.
Several individuals involved in the crash were transported to Baylor Scott & White Hospital. The seriousness of their injuries is unclear at this time.
The cause of the crash is still under investigation.
All northbound main lanes are shut down, and traffic is diverted to the service road. Drivers can expect delay in the area.
Anyone with information should call the Temple Police Department at 254-298-5500 or the Bell County Crime Stoppers at 254-526-8477, where callers can report anonymously.
TPD investigates shooting
TEMPLE, TX (February 8, 2022) – The Temple Police Department is investigating a shooting.
At 7:48pm, officers responded to a shooting in the area of N. 4th St. and E. Young Ave.
A potential suspect has been identified.
This case is still under investigation. Anyone with information should contact the Temple Police Department at 254-298-5500 or the Bell County Crime Stoppers at 254-526-8477, where callers can report anonymously.
TPD investigates shooting, one victim injured
TEMPLE, TX (February 8, 2022) – The Temple Police Department is investigating a shooting that sent one subject to the hospital.
At 7:40pm, officers responded to a shooting in the 1000 block of S. First St. Upon arrival, they located a victim that had been shot multiple times.
No suspects have been identified at this time.
This case is still under investigation. Anyone with information should contact the Temple Police Department at 254-298-5500 or the Bell County Crime Stoppers at 254-526-8477, where callers can report anonymously.
Two-vehicle crash leads to fatality
TEMPLE, TX (February 8, 2022) – UPDATE: This incident resulted in the fatality of 73-year-old male, Harold Speights. The next of kin were notified.
TEMPLE, TX (February 7, 2022) – A two-vehicle crash on Highway 317 and Poison Oak Road led to the fatality of one subject involved in the crash.
Two additional individuals involved in the crash were transported to Baylor Scott & White Hospital with injuries.
The initial investigation reveals that one of the involved drivers, failed to yield the right of way at a stop sign.
Anyone with information should call the Temple Police Department at 254-298-5500 or the Bell County Crime Stoppers at 254-526-8477, where callers can report anonymously.
TPD investigates shooting and auto theft
TEMPLE, TX (February 2, 2022) – Around 8:30pm, officers were dispatched to a store on 31st St. and Canyon Creek Drive for a call of a shooting.
Upon officers' arrival, they learned an altercation occurred, and the victim was shot. Following the shooting, the suspects reportedly stole the victim’s vehicle. Officers later located the vehicle abandoned near the crime scene.
The victim has been transported to Baylor Scott & White Hospital, and his injury is non-life threatening.
This case is still under investigation. Anyone with information should contact the Temple Police Department at 254-298-5500 or the Bell County Crime Stoppers at 254-526-8477, where callers can report anonymously.
TPD resolves barricaded incident, arrests six subjects
TEMPLE, TX (February 1, 2022) – Six subjects were arrested after the Temple Police Department served an evidentiary search warrant in the 5000 block of Charter Oaks Drive on January 31, 2022.
The offenders were identified as 61-year-old Billy Townsend, 58-year-old Robyn South, 47-year-old Kelly Gene Davison, 29-year-old Brittany Lee Bruggman, 33-year-old Shane Pugh, and 33-year-old Christopher Gillespey.
This case is active and under investigation. Anyone with information should call the Temple Police Department at 254-298-5500 of the Bell County Crime Stoppers at 254-526-877, where callers can report anonymously.
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TEMPLE, TX (January 31, 2022) – The Temple Police Department has arrested a male and female subject after an early morning stand-off at a local residence.
Both subjects were taken into custody around 10:30 a.m. Monday after officers served an evidentiary search warrant, for weapons and narcotics, in the 5000 block of Charter Oaks Drive. Upon officers’ arrival, eight subjects cooperated with officers and exited the residence, and two other subjects barricaded themselves inside the residence.
For several hours, TPD trained negotiators attempted contact with the remaining individuals inside of the residence. Unsuccessful in getting the subjects to exit the residence, the Temple Police Department and the Killeen Police Department’s SWAT deployed multiple chemical munitions inside the residence.
Following a search of the residence by the Temple Police Department, the two remaining individuals were located secreted in an attic crawlspace.
There are no injuries reported to officers or suspects.
Several subjects located at this residence had active warrants for their arrest.
The Temple Police Department would like to thank the Killeen Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration for their assistance with today’s activity.
Anyone with information should call the Temple Police Department at 254-298-5500 of the Bell County Crime Stoppers at 254-526-877, where callers can report anonymously.
January 2022 - News Releases
TPD resolves barricaded incident at local residence
TEMPLE, TX (January 31, 2022) – The Temple Police Department has arrested a male and female subject after an early morning stand-off at a local residence.
Both subjects were taken into custody around 10:30 a.m. Monday after officers served an evidentiary search warrant, for weapons and narcotics, in the 5000 block of Charter Oaks Drive. Upon officers’ arrival, eight subjects cooperated with officers and exited the residence, and two other subjects barricaded themselves inside the residence.
For several hours, TPD trained negotiators attempted contact with the remaining individuals inside of the residence. Unsuccessful in getting the subjects to exit the residence, the Temple Police Department and the Killeen Police Department’s SWAT deployed multiple chemical munitions inside the residence.
Following a search of the residence by the Temple Police Department, the two remaining individuals were located secreted in an attic crawlspace.
There are no injuries reported to officers or suspects.
Several subjects located at this residence had active warrants for their arrest.
The Temple Police Department would like to thank the Killeen Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration for their assistance with today’s activity.
Anyone with information should call the Temple Police Department at 254-298-5500 of the Bell County Crime Stoppers at 254-526-877, where callers can report anonymously.
TPD investigates early-morning shooting
TEMPLE, TX (January 30, 2022) – The Temple Police Department is investigating a shooting that sent one male to the emergency room.
At 12:30am, officers heard approximately three to four gunshots while on an unrelated traffic stop nearby. Upon arrival to the 1000 block of W. Ave. F, officers found a vehicle that had been shot, causing a shattered window. Officers did not locate a victim or suspect at that time.
Two hours later, a male victim admitted himself to the emergency room to seek care for a gunshot wound on his foot.
Later during the investigation, officers found a shell casing at the incident location.
This case is still under investigation. Anyone with information should contact the Temple Police Department at 254-298-5500 or the Bell County Crime Stoppers at 254-526-8477 where callers can report anonymously.
Temple Police warns residents of rental scam
TEMPLE, TX (January 27, 2022) – The Temple Police Department is warning homeowners and realtors of a rental property scam being listed via Facebook Marketplace.
This week officers were made aware of a property listed for rent on East Drive. Officers learned the potential victim visited the location, contacted the realtor before moving forward with the purchase and realized the home was not for rent.
At this time, TPD is not aware of any victims who have been scammed yet.
Below is a list of potential rental scam indicators that residents should look out for if they are searching for a new place to buy or rent.
- The property owner or realtor does not want to meet you in person.
- The property owner or realtor wants you to move in immediately, without ever seeing the property.
- The property owner or realtor asks for rent or a security deposit before signing the lease.
- The price is questionably low.
- The listing has many typos or excessive punctuation.
- There is no tenant screening process.
The department encourages anyone who has fallen victim to this type of crime or would like to report any suspicious activity, to contact Temple Police Department at 254-298-5500 or the Bell County Crime Stoppers at 254-526-877, where callers can report anonymously.
TPD investigates aggravated robbery
TEMPLE, TX (January 25, 2022) – The Temple Police Department is asking for help identifying a male suspect involved in an aggravated robbery in the 2700 block of Airport Road.
On Monday, January 24 at about 10:20 a.m. an unknown male suspect entered a convenience store, brandished a weapon, took an undisclosed amount of cash and store items before leaving on foot.
No injuries were reported.
This case is active and under investigation. Anyone with information should call the Temple Police Department at 254-298-5500 or the Bell County Crime Stoppers at 254-526-8477, where callers can report anonymously.
TPD investigates aggravated robbery
TEMPLE, TX (January 17, 2022) – The Temple Police Department is seeking the public’s help in identifying a suspect involved in a Monday afternoon aggravated robbery.
Around 4:30 p.m. officers responded to the 1300 block of N. General Bruce Drive. Upon arrival, officers learned an armed unknown male entered the store and took an undisclosed amount of cash before leaving on foot.
No injuries were reported.
This case is active and under investigation. Anyone with information should call the Temple Police Department at 254-298-5500 or the Bell County Crime Stoppers at 254-526-8477, where callers can report anonymously.
December 2022- News Releases