On September 18, 2025, the Corpus Christi Police Department initiated an internal and criminal investigation on Corpus Christi Police Officer Travis Haecker, after receiving a complaint for theft of non-city funds. 

Following the investigation, evidence was presented to the Nueces County District Attorney’s Office for review. After evaluating the findings, three warrants of arrest were issued for Haecker.

Haecker has been charged with theft of property from a non-profit organization (SJF), credit card abuse (SJF) and misapplication of fiduciary property (class A misdemeanor).  As this is still an ongoing investigation, we are unable to provide specific details at this time.   

On Friday, December 12, 2025 Haecker turned himself in to the Kendall County Sheriff’s Office. 

Every investigation is a thorough and impartial process designed to ensure fairness and accuracy. It is essential to recognize that every individual has the right to due process, which includes the opportunity to present their defense and respond to allegations throughout the entire investigative process.  Haecker is currently on administrative leave.

On Monday, July 14, 2025 at 5:50 pm, Officers with the Corpus Christi Police Department were dispatched to the 7900 block of Elk Dr. in reference to an assault with a weapon.

When the Officer arrived, the male suspect immediately engaged in a prolonged physical struggle with the Officer. The struggle began in a residence and continued outside where the officer attempted multiple times to use non-lethal force. The non lethal force was ineffective and the suspect continued to fight with the Officer and got into a vehicle and attempted to run over the Officer. The Officer discharged his weapon in return at the suspect and immediately began to administer first aid. The suspect was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

As per department policy, the involved Officer will be placed on administrative leave.

This is still an active and ongoing investigation. If you have any information pertaining to this incident, you are encouraged to call the Corpus Christi Police Department Criminal Investigations Division at 361-886-2840. Anyone who would like to keep their identity secret and still provide information to detectives should call Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS (8477) or submit the tip online at https://www.p3tips.com/TipForm.aspx?ID=343&C=&T= (https://www.p3tips.com/TipForm.aspx?ID=343&C&T)

Fulfilling our solemn vow to never forget, Corpus Christi Police Chief Mike Markle and the Narcotics and Vice Investigation Division Staff dedicated their newly remodeled office space to fallen Narcotics Officer Sgt. Ruben Almanza on Wednesday, June 18th. Almanza was shot while attempting to apprehend an armed robbery suspect on July 27, 1984, and died shortly after midnight the following day. His assailant was shot and killed by another CCPD officer responding to the call. Almanza was a plainclothes Narcotics Detective at the time and not required nor expected to respond to such a call.

As part of the dedication ceremony, NVID Deputy Chief H. Bowers presented Almanza’s widow, Irma, with a newly designed Detective Badge. The Police Department began issuing the distinct Detective badges in 2024 to Detectives within the Investigations Bureau, which includes NVID. Deputy Chief Bowers explained how the Detective badge number corresponds with each Detective’s individual radio call sign. Bowers informed the gathering that Almanza’s badge number 5435 will henceforth be retired, never again to be issued to any Detective within NVID. Chief Markle spoke of how proud the Department was of Almanza’s service and how honored the Department was to dedicate the building to Ruben, while reminding the family that they will always be part of the CCPD family.

Almanza’s widow was joined by two of his three daughters, his last surviving sister, grandson, and several other close family members. Almanza’s family members shared stories about Almanza’s proud service to his country as a US Army Viet Nam War Veteran, and his burning desire to become a Corpus Christi Police Officer once he returned home. His widow spoke of how much he loved being a CCPD Officer and how dedicated he was to his undercover work. Ruben, she said, had coached her to tell shady-sounding late night callers asking for “Oscar” that “Oscar” was on the road driving his semi and would call them back when he returned home. “Oscar the truck driver” was Almanza’s undercover identity, which came naturally to him, because he had been employed as a truck driver before being hired by the Police Department. His dedication to his craft and exceptional undercover skills led to several large drug busts, including the four-hundred-pound marijuana seizure Almanza is seen posing next to in a photograph on the NVID Wall of Honor that bears his name.

Also present to honor Almanza was his Police Academy classmate and fellow Special Services Division Officer, CCPD Assistant Chief (ret.) Jesse Garcia. Garcia recalled

Almanza’s “infectious smile” every time they crossed paths, but noted that “if things got heavy, you never had to look for him. He was right there.” “He was a courageous officer committed to his profession,” Garcia continued, “who had a love of God and Country that all great cops seem to have.” Above all else, Garcia concluded, “His greatest treasure, as he often said, was his family. We all miss him.”

A portrait of the man began to emerge from the many fond memories shared by his family with Almanza’s much younger NVID brothers and sisters -many of whom were not yet born on the day he made the ultimate sacrifice. It was the portrait of a good man, who loved his country and his community. A portrait of a loving husband, a treasured son and brother, and a devoted and caring father. It was the portrait of a Cop’s Cop as well. The type of Cop that always had your back. The type of Cop, who as a plainclothes Detective, didn’t have to respond to the foot pursuit of an armed robbery suspect, but did anyway. The type of Cop who wouldn’t let his fellow officers face danger alone. A Cop who, knowing all he had to lose, was still willing to stand between the evil in this world and the community he swore to protect. In short, it was the portrait of a hero. A portrait that will not soon fade.

UPDATE: Aurora has been located and is reunited with family.

The Corpus Christi Police Department is requesting your assistance in locating an elderly female missing from the area. Aurora Margarita Barrera, age 85, was last observed at approximately 10:30 p.m. in the vicinity of 2800 Elizabeth Street. Aurora suffers from early stages of dementia.

Aurora stands at a height of 5 feet 1 inch and weighs approximately 130 pounds. She was dressed in a light pink shirt featuring black and white stripes on the sleeves and grey shorts.

If you observe Aurora or are aware of her current location, please promptly contact 911.

On February 18, 2025, at 3:45 p.m., Corpus Christi Police Officers were dispatched to the 900 block of South Tancahua Street in response to an assault. Upon arrival, officers observed Corpus Christi Fire Department (CCFD) medics administering first aid to the male victim, who was approximately thirty-five years of age. The medics rushed the victim to a local hospital, where he was listed in critical condition.

Preliminary information indicates that a male victim and a female were involved in a disturbance. The female departed the scene but subsequently returned to confront the victim. The female suspect departed the scene for a second time and returned with a male suspect. The male victim and the male suspect engaged in a disturbance that escalated into an assault. The suspects fled the scene in an unknown direction. The victim attempted to walk away but subsequently fell to the ground.

At this juncture, no arrests have been made. Detectives are currently reviewing surveillance footage in an effort to identify the suspects, ascertain the sequence of events leading up to the assault, and determine whether any weapons were utilized.

There is no apparent danger to the public at this time. This is an ongoing investigation. If you have any information, please contact the detectives at 361-886-2840. Alternatively, if you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 361-888-TIPS (8477).

Detectives with the CCPD Narcotics and Vice Investigations Division continued their campaign to eradicate illegal gambling within the Corpus Christi city limits by serving multiple search warrants Thursday evening at two illegal gambling establishments on the city’s south side. Following a months-long investigation into the businesses that uncovered evidence of illegal gambling, Detectives secured search warrants for two separate game rooms, the Gold Room, 5202 Weber Road, and The Diversion Center, 7114 Saratoga. Detectives followed up with a third search warrant at an apartment located on the 4900 block of Saratoga Boulevard that Detectives had linked to the illegal gambling establishments. During the searches, NVID Detectives seized gambling equipment, $4,600.00 cash, and other evidence of illegal gambling.

Arrested at the Gold Room for Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity, Gambling Promotion, Keeping a Gambling Place, Possession of a Gambling Device, and Violation of the Nueces County Game Room Ordinance were employees Viviana Garza, age 43 and Erasmo Cancino, age 32.

At The Diversion Center, Detectives arrested 30-year-old Michael Trevino on charges of

Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity, Gambling Promotion, Keeping a Gambling Place, Possession of a Gambling Device, and Unlawful Carrying of a Weapon (handgun). This was the second time in the past eight months that NVID Detectives have served a search warrant on this illegal game room. Five adult patrons were cited for Gambling, a Class C misdemeanor.

Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity is a state jail felony punishable by up to two years in jail and a maximum $10,000 fine, while the other three charges are class A misdemeanors.

This investigation is ongoing, and additional arrests are likely. The Corpus Christi Police Department reminds citizens that game rooms which pay out cash rewards, or rewards that can be immediately redeemed for cash are engaging in illegal gambling. Patrons as well as the management of these establishments may face criminal charges.

NVID Detectives were assisted in this operation by officers with the CCPD Gang Unit, Violent Crime Unit, Traffic Section, and investigators with the State of Texas Comptroller’s Office, which regulates coin operated machines.

The Corpus Christi Police Department continues to collaborate with our local, state, and federal partners to investigate and combat illegal gambling. Investigators will continue to enforce all Texas gambling laws, which will help accomplish our mission to reduce crime, reduce the fear of crime and to improve the quality of life in our community.

The Corpus Christi Police Department was recently notified by the Department of Homeland Security, of an investigation involving a Corpus Christi Police Department Officer, Daniel Verduzco. 

On Sunday, January 19, 2025, Agents with the Department of Homeland Security arrested Daniel Verduzco, charging him with Coercion and Enticement (18 U.S. Code 2422).

The Corpus Christi Police Department is fully cooperating with the investigation, which is being led by the Department of Homeland Security.  Any further questions regarding details of this investigation should be referred to them.  Verduzco  has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of an internal investigation that may lead to disciplinary action up to and including his termination.

On January 12, 2024, at approximately 6:18 PM, Corpus Christi Police Officers officers were dispatched to the 200 block of Robert Drive in response to a shooting. Upon arrival, they observed the Corpus Christi Fire Department administering first aid to the 28-year-old male victim. The victim was transported to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

Preliminary information indicates that several individuals met at this location. For reasons currently unknown, the encounter escalated, resulting in the victim being shot. The suspects subsequently fled the scene in an unidentified vehicle.

It is believed that the victim and offenders are known to each other and this is not a random act of violence.

This is an active investigation. If you have any information regarding this incident, please contact Corpus Christi Police Detectives at (361) 886-2840. Individuals who wish to remain anonymous while providing information to Detectives may contact Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS (8477) or submit their tip online at https://www.p3tips.com/TipForm.aspx?ID=343&C=&T=.

Sunday, December 15th will mark the 39th anniversary of the day Gary and Stephanie Gillette were found brutally murdered inside their home on the 4800 block of Sweetbriar Circle.

Gary’s prized possession, his late father’s 1970 Buick Electra convertible, had been stolen from the couple’s garage and was found abandoned one day later on the 6200 block of Wimbledon Drive.

Gary’s three daughters have never stopped looking for answers to help ease the devastating pain of not knowing who took their father and stepmother, and essentially their childhood, from them. Corpus Christi Police Department Homicide Detectives have made significant strides toward identifying the suspect or suspects who committed this heinous crime, but are still seeking the one sliver of information that will help bring justice to the victims and closure to their family.

If you have information that you believe could be helpful to solving this case, please call Detective Justin Wicks at 361-826-4082 or Detective Krystal Rodriguez at 361-886-2843. Callers wishing to remain anonymous can earn up to a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in this case by calling CrimeStoppers at 361-888-TIPS. For more information, please view the following video.

On Thursday, November 21, 2024 at 0846 hours, Corpus Christi police officers were dispatched to the 7600 block of Bullrider Dr. in reference to a suspicious person call.

The reporting party of the call advised that two unknown males were parked in an alleyway.  The two males were getting in and out of the vehicle with ski masks on.  A CCPD drone pilot was filming the ribbon cutting ceremony of the new police academy with his drone, and flew the drone to the area of the call and had a visual on the vehicle and suspicious persons before officers arrived.  Officers converged on the vehicle and contacted 3 males inside the vehicle.  All three males were wearing gloves, and two of the males were wearing full ski masks.  

It was determined that the vehicle had been reported stolen.  Upon further investigation, a handgun, stolen checks, and illegal narcotics were found inside the vehicle.  

Officers arrested Jose Manuel Esquivel (18 years old) for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, unlawful carrying of a weapon, and engaging in organized criminal activity.

Jeremiah Cole Anderson (17 years old) for fraudulent use of identifying information, possession of a controlled substance, and engaging in organized criminal activity.

Jonah Morris (18 years old) for engaging in organized criminal activity.

Thank you for being vigilant and aware of the activity in your neighborhoods.  If you see something suspicious, say something.  This also highlights how the Corpus Christi Police Department is using the latest technology to keep our community safe.