The DPS is scheduled to commission a new shallow-water interceptor vessel in Austin on Thursday for use in patrols of the Rio Grande and international lakes.
The vessel will be named in honor of Trooper Jerry Don Davis, who was killed in October 1980 during a road stop on U.S. 84 just outside Slaton, about 15 miles southeast of Lubbock.
The vessel starts its patrol operations early next year.
Davis stopped Wayne Alexander Jr. for speeding and had the 21-year-old Lorenzo man in his patrol car when the 26-year-old trooper learned Alexander had stolen a car and was shot.
Alexander is serving a life sentence for the slaying.
