Awards
Chilo Alaniz, District Attorney in Webb and Zapata Counties, received the Fentanyl Free America Excellence in Protection Award, which is presented annually by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). The award honors individuals and organizations for exceptional leadership and measurable impact in combating the illicit fentanyl crisis. Alaniz’s office is part of the Fentanyl Task Force Initiative, and Laredo (the seat of Webb County) registered a big drop in fentanyl overdoses from 2023 to 2025, one of the largest reductions in the U.S.
The County Attorney’s Office in El Paso County is among the recipients of the American Bar Association Government & Public Sector Lawyers Division’s 2026 public service awards. The office was recognized for using innovative civil litigation to combat crime and human trafficking while protecting vulnerable residents.
Appointments
John McIntyre was appointed as the County Attorney in Hemphill County in late June. He replaces his predecessor, Kyle Miller. Mr. McIntyre will maintain his private practice.
Greg Magee, a former judge, was appointed by Governor Greg Abbott as the Criminal District Attorney in San Jacinto County. He won the primary election for the office of Criminal DA earlier this year and would have run unopposed in the general election. After former CDA Todd Dillon’s resignation, Magee will fill the remaining term of office until January 1, 2027, after which he will begin a full term as DA.
Brooke Koi was appointed by Governor Abbott and sworn in as the Criminal District Attorney in Tyler County in mid-July. She has worked in the office since 2021 and served as the First Assistant (under then-CDA Lucas Babin) since 2022.
Clay Carr was appointed by Governor Abbott as the District Attorney for the 84th Judicial District (Hansford and Hutchinson Counties), effective September 1. He had been an assistant in that office. His term will expire December 31, 2028, or until a successor shall be elected and qualified.
Cullen Cook was appointed District Attorney for the 69th Judicial District (Dallam, Hartley, Moore, and Sherman Counties); his term will expire December 31, 2028, or until a successor shall be duly elected and qualified. Cook had been an ADA in that office and in Collin County before that; he graduated with a J.D. from Texas Tech Law School.
Deaths
Danny Buck Davidson, former Criminal District Attorney in Panola County, died in early July. He served as a county judge, worked in private practice, and was elected district attorney in 1995. He was famously portrayed by Matthew McConaghey in the 2011 movie Bernie, which chronicled the murder of Marjorie Nugent, a Carthage resident, by her companion, Bernie Tiede. Davidson retired from the DA’s Office in late 2024.
Bob Gage, longtime County & District Attorney in Freestone County, died in late August. He had served for more than 25 years before going into criminal defense work.
Ben Neel, former County Attorney in Menard County, died at the end of August. When he retired in 2012, he had served 38 years as elected CA and as an assistant county attorney, making him the longest serving public official in Menard County history.