Freeman Martin was sworn in by Gov. Greg Abbott as the agency’s 14th director. He worked his way up from Highway Patrol trooper in 1990.

McCraw made the surprise announcement at a trooper trainee graduation ceremony with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott in attendance.

AUSTIN - A ceremony will be held to swear in the new leader of the Texas Department of Public Safety on Monday. Lt. Col. Freeman F. Martin will be sworn in as the new director at DPS headquarters in Austin. Martin replaces Colonel Steven McCraw, who retired after 15 years as the director of DPS.

Colonel Freeman Martin, a former Texas Ranger and deputy director of the DPS, was sworn in by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott in a change of command ceremony outside the Texas DPS headquarters in Austin. Martin is replacing Col. Steve McCraw, who announced last summer he was retiring after 15 years.