HOMETOWN HERO: Jacksonville officer shot in line of duty honored by U.S. Attorney’s Office

Officer Elyse Hand, a Jacksonville Police Officer who was shot and injured in the line of duty, has been honored with the 2026 Hometown Hero Award.

U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs of the Eastern District of Texas made the announcement Friday. On Nov. 2, 2025, Hand was shot twice in the line of duty while attempting to apprehend wanted fugitive Bobby Michael Dennis— one to the arm, and another to the leg.

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During that encounter, her K-9 unit “Renzo” was also injured. Hand remains in recovery after undergoing two surgeries, supported by her husband, a Texas State Trooper, and their young son.

The Hometown Hero Award is sponsored by the Department of Justice in honor of the 250th year of the United States of America celebrating its independence, and recognizes law enforcement partners committed to “the enduring ideals of liberty, service, and civic responsibility,” according to the Department of Justice.

“Officer Hand represents the sacrifices made by law enforcement officers across the nation every day,” a statement from the Eastern District of Texas said.

In honor of Officer Hand, employees of the U.S. Attorney’s Office held a gift-in-kind charity drive to benefit local child advocacy centers in the Eastern District of Texas.  Those centers include the Children’s Advocacy Center of Collin County in Plano, the Grayson County Children’s Advocacy Center in Sherman, the Texarkana Children’s Advocacy Center, the Children’s Advocacy Center of Smith County in Tyler, Harold’s House East Texas Alliance for Children in Lufkin, and the Garth House in Beaumont.