Killeen Police Recommends Online System to Help Citizens Keep Track of Valuables
Killeen, TX (July 18, 2024): ReportIt helps Killeen citizens safely and securely store important information that is useful in recovering property in the event of a loss or theft.
The Killeen Police Department has used Leads Online for many years and encourages all residents to use a free online system that will help keep track of valuable — and invaluable — personal property. ReportIt is a free, secure online service allowing citizens to record serial numbers and upload images for phones, electronics, and other valuables. Should those items ever be stolen, detectives say having the information will go a long way in accurately and quickly identifying your property. Citizens can access the site at reportit.leadsonline.com.
The ReportIt service is a part of Leads Online system that works with police across the country to track and recover stolen property. The Killeen Police Department uses Leads Online to help track and recover stolen property —- everything from jewelry to sporting equipment to electronics, computers, cameras, and other items such as designer clothing, collectibles, and other items with invaluable personal worth. The system allows detectives to search for the items using a variety of parameters, including item descriptions and serial numbers. When an item is sold to a pawn or secondhand shop, the product information is entered in the Leads Online database and is immediately viewable by participating law enforcement agencies across the country.
Citizens can store an unlimited number of serial numbers, item descriptions, pictures, and scans of receipts so items may be more easily identified in the event of theft. This record may also come in handy when filing claims with insurance providers in the event of loss.
Citizens wanting to participate in ReportIt can register for the free service at https://reportit.leadsonline.com/ and begin building their personal property inventory list.
Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department
Killeen Police Detain Person of Interest
Killeen, TX (July 18, 2024): Detectives from the Criminal Investigation Division have apprehended a person of interest for an unrelated offense in the Murder of Tristen Hochstetler.
If you have any information regarding this incident, please contact the Killeen Police Department Criminal Investigation Division or Bell County Crime Stoppers at 254-526-TIPS (8477) or visit http://www.bellcountycrimestoppers.com.
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UPDATE NEWS RELEASE: KILLEEN POLICE IDENTIFIES 17-YEAR-OLD MURDER VICTIM
Killeen, TX (July 17, 2024): Detectives with the Criminal Investigation Division have identified the victim as Tristen Hochstetler.
If you or someone you know has any relevant information about this incident, please contact the Killeen Police Department and request to speak with a detective from the Criminal Investigation Division or the Bell County Crime Stoppers at 254-526-TIPS (8477) or go online at http://www.bellcountycrimestoppers.com. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.
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NEWS RELEASE: KILLEEN POLICE INVESTIGATE THE SEVENTH MURDER IN THE CITY OF KILLEEN
Killeen, TX (July 15, 2024): On Monday, July 15, 2024, at approximately 2:31 p.m., Killeen Police Officers responded to the 600 block of Avenue I in reference to a gunshot victim. Upon the officers’ arrival, they found a 17-year-old male victim inside a residence with a gunshot wound. Justice of the Peace Nicola James determined the estimated time of death at 4:19 p.m.
The name of the victim has been withheld pending notification of next of kin.
The department is asking anyone who may have seen anything or has information about this Murder, to contact Crime Stoppers at 254-526-TIPS (8477) or go online at http://www.bellcountycrimestoppers.com. You can also download the P3Tips App for IOS or Android and give an anonymous tip. All information is confidential and anonymous, and if your tip leads to the arrest of the person(s) responsible, you could be eligible to receive a reward up to $1,000 in cash.
Detectives are actively investigating this Murder and there is no additional information at this time.
Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department
Killeen Police Identifies 17-Year-Old Murder Victim
Killeen, TX (July 17, 2024): Detectives with the Criminal Investigation Division have identified the victim as Tristen Hochstetler.
If you or someone you know has any relevant information about this incident, please contact the Killeen Police Department and request to speak with a detective from the Criminal Investigation Division or the Bell County Crime Stoppers at 254-526-TIPS (8477) or go online at http://www.bellcountycrimestoppers.com. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.
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NEWS RELEASE: KILLEEN POLICE INVESTIGATE THE SEVENTH MURDER IN THE CITY OF KILLEEN
Killeen, TX (July 15, 2024): On Monday, July 15, 2024, at approximately 2:31 p.m., Killeen Police Officers responded to the 600 block of Avenue I in reference to a gunshot victim. Upon the officers’ arrival, they found a 17-year-old male victim inside a residence with a gunshot wound. Justice of the Peace Nicola James determined the estimated time of death at 4:19 p.m.
The name of the victim has been withheld pending notification of next of kin.
The department is asking anyone who may have seen anything or has information about this Murder, to contact Crime Stoppers at 254-526-TIPS (8477) or go online at http://www.bellcountycrimestoppers.com. You can also download the P3Tips App for IOS or Android and give an anonymous tip. All information is confidential and anonymous, and if your tip leads to the arrest of the person(s) responsible, you could be eligible to receive a reward up to $1,000 in cash.
Detectives are actively investigating this Murder and there is no additional information at this time.
Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department
Killeen Police Investigate the Seventh Murder in the City of Killeen
Killeen, TX (July 16, 2024): On Monday, July 15, 2024, at approximately 2:31 p.m., Killeen Police Officers responded to the 600 block of Avenue I in reference to a gunshot victim. Upon the officers’ arrival, they found a 17-year-old male victim inside a residence with a gunshot wound. Justice of the Peace Nicola James determined the estimated time of death at 4:19 p.m.
The name of the victim has been withheld pending notification of next of kin.
The department is asking anyone who may have seen anything or has information about this Murder, to contact Crime Stoppers at 254-526-TIPS (8477) or go online at http://www.bellcountycrimestoppers.com. You can also download the P3Tips App for IOS or Android and give an anonymous tip. All information is confidential and anonymous, and if your tip leads to the arrest of the person(s) responsible, you could be eligible to receive a reward up to $1,000 in cash.
Detectives are actively investigating this Murder and there is no additional information at this time.
Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department
Killeen Police Investigate a Late Night Shooting
Killeen, TX (June 13, 2024): On Thursday, June 13, 2024, at approximately 12:25 a.m., Killeen Police Officers responded to the 2800 block of Tucker Drive in reference to a shooting victim. Upon the officers’ arrival, along with Killeen EMS, they located a female victim outside of a residence suffering from gunshot wounds.
The victim succumbed to her injuries and Justice of the Peace Nicola James pronounced the estimated time of death at 12:30 a.m. at the scene.
The name of the victim has been withheld pending notification of next of kin.
A 27-year-old male at the residence was placed under arrest and transported to the Killeen City Jail.
There is no threat to the community related to this incident.
Detectives with the Robbery-Homicide Unit are actively investigating this Homicide and there is no additional information at this time.
Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department
Killeen Police Charges 22-Year-Old Male with Murder
Killeen, TX (April 22, 2024): On Friday, April 19, 2024, the case was presented to the Bell County District Attorney’s Office and a complaint was returned charging Xavier Mason Stokes with Murder. Justice of the Peace Larry Wiley arraigned Stokes and set his bond at $500,000. Stokes is currently in the Bell County Jail.
Detectives with the Robbery-Homicide Unit continue to investigate this Murder and there is no additional information at this time.
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NEWS RELEASE: KILLEEN POLICE INVESTIGATE THE FIFTH MURDER IN THE CITY OF KILLEEN
Killeen, TX (April 18, 2024): On Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at approximately 10:05 p.m., Killeen Police Officers responded to the 900 block of Southside Drive in reference to a shooting. Upon the officers’ arrival, along with Killeen EMS, they located a 33-year-old male victim inside a residence suffering from gunshot wounds.
Killeen EMS initiated life savings measures and transported the victim to the Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center where he succumbed to his injuries. The victim, Tres Maurice Carter, was pronounced deceased by Justice of the Peace Nicola James at 10:44 p.m.
A 22-year-old male that was at the residence was placed under arrest and transported to the Killeen City Jail.
This incident is related to domestic/family violence, and there is no threat to the community related to this incident.
Detectives with the Robbery-Homicide Unit are actively investigating this Homicide and there is no additional information at this time.
Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department
Killeen Police Department Transitions to Encrypted Radio Transmissions
Killeen, TX (April 10, 2024): Effective, Thursday, April 11, 2024, as part of the Bell County Communication Center initiative, the Killeen Police Department will switch to encrypted radio transmissions.
This change is designed to prevent unauthorized access and ensure the confidentiality of our operational information, while still maintaining a level of transparency with the public. While the content of our communications will be encrypted, the fact that communication is taking place will still be accessible to the public through Freedom of Information Act requests. This upgrade in our communication infrastructure aligns with modern security standards and is essential for maintaining a strategic advantage in our efforts to combat crime and protect our citizens. As we continue to prioritize the safety and security of our community, we must adopt measures to enhance the confidentiality and integrity of our communications systems.
Encrypted radio communication provides several key benefits:
Enhanced Security: Encrypted communication protects against unauthorized access, ensuring that sensitive information remains confidential and secure.
Privacy Protection: By encrypting our transmissions, we safeguard the privacy rights of individuals involved in law enforcement activities and protect them from potential interception or monitoring.
Improved Efficiency: Encrypted communication systems offer streamlined and reliable information transmission, enabling quicker response times and more effective coordination among our teams. In emergency situations, our encrypted communication system is designed to prioritize and expedite critical information, ensuring that there are no delays in our response times.
Adaptation to Modern Threats: In an era of increasing cyber threats and technological sophistication, encrypted communication is vital for staying ahead of potential adversaries and safeguarding critical infrastructure. This is not a new concept, and many other jurisdictions have successfully implemented encrypted communication systems, leading to significant improvements in their law enforcement activities and public safety.
We understand that this transition may raise questions. We are committed to providing transparent and informative updates through our social media feeds and verbally during live critical incidents that may alarm or concern the community. Your understanding and support are not just crucial, but integral, as we prioritize the safety and well-being of our community. Encrypted communication is an essential component of our strategy to fulfill this responsibility, and we want you to be fully informed about this important change.
“I want to express my deep appreciation to the media for their continued partnership in keeping the public informed and engaged. Your role in promoting transparency and accountability is invaluable,” said Chief Pedro Lopez Jr.
Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department
Killeen Police are Investigating the Second Murder of 2024
Killeen, TX (February 18, 2024): A 28-year-old male is deceased after being shot outside of a business located in the 900 block of W. Central Texas Expressway.
The Killeen Police Department was dispatched on Saturday February 17, 2024 at approximately 8:05 p.m., in reference to a 911 call about a shooting victim. Upon the officers’ arrival, they located a male victim suffering from several gunshot wounds. Officers started to perform life saving measures until paramedics arrived. The victim was transported to the Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center where he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at 8:39 p.m. by Justice of the Peace Gregory Johnson. He ordered an autopsy to be performed at the Southwest Institute of Forensic Science in Dallas.
The name of the victim has been withheld pending notification of next of kin.
One person was taken into custody.
This is an isolated incident and there was no further threat to the community.
Detectives are asking anyone who may information about this Murder, to contact Crime Stoppers at 254-526-TIPS (8477) or go online at http://www.bellcountycrimestoppers.com. You can also download the P3Tips App for IOS or Android and give an anonymous tip. All information is confidential and anonymous and if your tip leads to the arrest of the person(s) responsible, you could be eligible to receive a reward up to $1,000 in cash.
This investigation is ongoing and there is no additional information at this time.
Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department
Ayuntamiento de Seguridad Pública y Policía Comunitaria
Me gustaría agradecer a quienes participaron en la reunión municipal de seguridad pública de Killeen el jueves 26 de octubre. Como Jefe de Policía del Departamento de Policía de Killeen, me comprometo a garantizar la seguridad y el bienestar de nuestra comunidad. Para lograr este objetivo, es esencial que mantengamos abiertas las líneas de comunicación con los residentes y las partes interesadas a las que servimos.
En nuestros esfuerzos continuos para mejorar la policía comunitaria y las prácticas de aplicación de la ley, valoramos las perspectivas y los comentarios de aquellos a quienes servimos. Es con este objetivo en mente que hemos iniciado una encuesta exhaustiva para recopilar ideas, opiniones y sugerencias de los miembros de nuestra comunidad.
La encuesta aborda varios aspectos de la seguridad pública, la participación de la comunidad y la calidad de nuestros servicios policiales. Participar le permite desempeñar un papel crucial en la configuración del futuro de la aplicación de la ley en nuestra comunidad.
Su aporte es invaluable e influirá directamente en nuestras políticas y prácticas. Esperamos sinceramente que se tome unos minutos para completar la encuesta y compartir sus pensamientos. Sus respuestas serán confidenciales y la información recopilada se utilizará únicamente para mejorar nuestros servicios.
Su participación es muy apreciada, y le agradecemos de antemano su tiempo y consideración. Juntos, podemos trabajar para construir una comunidad más segura e inclusiva para todos. Todas las respuestas permanecerán anónimas y no se compartirán con nadie. La encuesta estará disponible hasta el 2 de noviembre de 2023.
Para acceder a la encuesta, escanea el código QR o haz clic en el enlace. https://forms.gle/RdfyTgs81EKYrHG9A
Sinceramente
Pedro López Jr.
Jefe de Policía
Departamento de Policía de Killeen
Townhall on Public Safety and Community Policing
I would like to thank those who participated in the Killeen Public Safety Townhall Meeting on Thursday, October 26th. As the Chief of Police of the Killeen Police Department, I am committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of our community. To achieve this goal, it is essential that we maintain open lines of communication with the residents and stakeholders we serve.
In our ongoing efforts to improve community policing and law enforcement practices, we value the perspectives and feedback of those we serve. It is with this objective in mind that we have initiated a comprehensive survey to gather insights, opinions, and suggestions from members of our community.
The survey addresses various aspects of public safety, community engagement, and the quality of our policing services. Participating allows you to play a crucial role in shaping the future of law enforcement in our community.
Your input is invaluable and will directly influence our policies and practices. We sincerely hope you will take a few moments to complete the survey and share your thoughts. Your responses will remain confidential, and the information gathered will be used solely to enhance our services.
Your participation is greatly appreciated, and we thank you in advance for your time and consideration. Together, we can work towards building a safer and more inclusive community for all. All answers will remain anonymous and will not be shared with anyone. The survey will be available until November 2, 2023.
To access the survey, scan the QR code below or click on the link https://forms.gle/gFwrhdtihUUDzj3dA
Sincerely,
Pedro Lopez Jr.
Chief of Police
Killeen Police Department
KilleenPD News 