Banta to Be Sgt. at New Local DPS Office

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) will assign a sergeant and three additional Highway Patrol troopers in Fayette County, according to DPS Press Secretary Ericka Miller.

The new sergeant, Joshua Banta, will begin duties here on Dec. 1. Miller said Banta joined DPS in 2008 and was most recently stationed at the Capitol in Austin.

“With an increase in traffic in Fayette, Bastrop and Caldwell Counties, the Texas Department of Public Safety felt it was important to place more Troopers in the area to assist with calls for service and better enforce traffic laws for drivers,” Miller said.

Previously, there were five troopers stationed in Fayette County. This recent development will bring that number to eight troopers in addition to Sgt. Banta.