FBI Presents Director’s Community Leadership Award

Special Agent in Charge (SAC) of the Houston Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Andrew R. Bland III, presented Crime Stoppers of Houston Executive Director Katherine Cabaniss with the FBI Director’s 2008 Community Leadership Award today.

Established in 1990, the Director’s Community Leadership Award is presented each year by FBI Field Offices to individuals and organizations that have made a positive impact within their local communities through their achievements in crime prevention, drug deterrence, or other programs which promote public safety and well-being.

Ms. Cabaniss is being recognized for her persistent quest for justice and her unwavering dedication to protecting the citizens of Houston and safeguarding the community.  Her efforts have significantly impacted the community, as well as local, state, and federal law enforcement initiatives.

Ms. Cabaniss has served as the Crime Stoppers of Houston Executive Director since September, 2006.  In that position, she has made the community a much safer place to live, by profiling and offering rewards for hard to solve criminal cases, including homicides, violent serial bank robberies, and numerous other crimes.

Through her passion and leadership of Crime Stoppers, Ms.Cabaniss has significantly advanced the organization and produced tangible results. During her tenure as Executive Director, Crime Stoppers of Houston has led the state in the number of felons arrested and cases cleared as a result of Crime Stoppers involvement.  During her tenure, 1,390 felons have been arrested, and 1,863 police cases have been cleared.  Ms. Cabaniss has also overseen the payment of more than $1.1 million in cash rewards to 1,443 tipsters.  

In April, 2008, a Crime Stoppers tip helped solve the case of “Beloved Doe,” the unidentified child whose body was discarded in a Houston apartment complex garbage dumpster in March of 2003.  With no leads, the FBI and Houston Police Department turned to Crime Stoppers, the media, and the public.  Shortly thereafter, the critical Crime Stoppers tip led to the identification of six year old Jose Bernardo Martinez as “Beloved Doe,” and the arrest of his mother, Ma Dana Martinez. 

In June, 2008, a Crime Stoppers tip led Pasadena Police to arrest 17 year old Thomas Moses Ramirez for his role in soliciting the murder of a 15 year old classmate at Sam Rayburn High School.  Ramirez believed the 15 year old was responsible for the breakup of his relationship with another 15 year old.  Pasadena Police arrested Ramirez immediately after he met with an undercover officer to complete the agreement.

When retired Houston Police Department officer Velia “Belle” Ortega, HPD’s first Hispanic female officer, succumbed to injuries sustained in a shooting, it was a Crime Stoppers tip that led to the July, 2008 arrest of Andrew Garcia for his involvement in the shooting.

 “When public safety is at risk, the people of Houston, as well as area law enforcement agencies, know that they can expect an immediate and appropriate response by Katherine and Crime Stoppers,” SAC Bland stated.  “Child predators, murderers, bank robbers, and fugitives from justice know that their days are numbered when Katherine steps up to the podium at a Crime Stoppers press conference to profile them and announce the reward for their charging and arrest.”

SAC Bland announced the award during a press conference held at the Houston office of the FBI earlier today.  Ms. Cabaniss will travel to Washington, D.C. later this year, along with recipients from other FBI divisions, to be presented the award by FBI Director Robert S. Mueller III.