Tom Abrahams named 2026 Dave Ward Excellence in Media Award recipient by Crime Stoppers of Houston

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- ABC13 anchor, reporter, and "This Week in Texas" host Tom Abrahams earned a special honor Thursday, becoming the 2026 recipient of the "Dave Ward Excellence in Media Award."

Tom was among the honorees recognized at this year's Crime Stoppers of Houston awards luncheon, celebrating the city's heroes.

"Dave was a great friend, really I think an inspiration," Tom said. "Everybody who had the opportunity to work with him... I was thankful to sit across from his desk, learned a lot from him, so to be honored with something that has his name on it means the world."

The award itself has significant meaning.

Not only is it given to any individual or entity who has exhibited media excellence, but the Crime Stoppers organization is one that was close to Dave's heart.

Dave and ABC13 were at the forefront of establishing Crime Stoppers Houston more than 45 years ago.

Its headquarters in Midtown is named for the legendary newsman and ABC13 anchor emeritus. The three-story, 28,000-square-foot Dave Ward Building opened its doors in 2017 at 3001 Main Street.

Dave also had a deep love and respect for law enforcement.

This year's luncheon was particularly poignant as it was the first without Dave, who passed away in December 2025 at the age of 86.

According to his widow, Laura, "The only thing Dave loved more than me was Crime Stoppers."

For more than 50 years, Dave was Houston's anchorman. He began each newscast with his signature line, "Good evening, friends."

He started at ABC13 in 1966 as the station's only on-the-street news reporter and photographer, coming "inside" in early 1967 to anchor Channel 13's weekday 7 a.m. newscast.

Dave went on to host the popular "Dialing for Dollars" program, which later evolved into "Good Morning Houston."

By January 1968, Dave became the anchor of Eyewitness News at 6 and 10 p.m.

The rest, as they say, is history.

Still, his legacy lives on throughout the city of Houston and in Crime Stoppers.

In fact, Dave hand selected Tom to receive the Excellence in Media Award, Laura shared. The award also celebrates the same journalistic code that Dave lived by - always get the facts right.

"Always so proud of Tom," Laura told ABC13. "Tom Abrahams is the gold standard and Dave knew that, he recognized it, and was proud of him each and every day."

Tom joined Channel 13 in October 1999 and serves as the evening weekend news anchor.

His accolades include three regional Edward R. Murrow Awards, a National Headliner, and an Emmy.

Past recipients of the Dave Ward Excellence in Media Award include Kim Nordt-Jackson, Vice President of Programming and Community at ABC13, and former ABC13 investigative reporter Ted Oberg.

Crime Stoppers awarded Laura an honorary "Dave Ward Excellence in Media Award" for being Dave's biggest champion and his ultimate producer.