By reinstating Texas Ranger Christopher Ryan Kindell in early August, Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Director Steve McCraw seems to have once and for all sidestepped a public reckoning over his agency’s role in the botched law enforcement response to the deadly May 24, 2022, shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde.
McCraw fired Kindell more than a year ago, accusing him of failing to meet department standards in responding to the active shooter who killed 19 students and two teachers in 2022. But as long as Kindell’s appeal of his termination was ongoing—the ranger has been on paid leave pending the outcome—McCraw faced the specter of a public hearing and potential scrutiny of high-ranking DPS officials, some of whom the U.S. Department of Justice says also violated state policy on the day of the shooting.
On August 2, McCraw suddenly—and without hearing Kindell’s appeal—reversed the firing and sent the ranger back to work. In doing so, the longtime head of DPS avoided having to explain his original decision in an open meeting before the governor-appointed Public Safety Commission, which oversees the state police. Meanwhile, DPS is appealing a judge’s order requiring the state police to release records related to the shooting.
