TDCJ Officer Dies in the Line of Duty

By Lance Lowry

08-20-2024

Huntsville, Texas – The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) announced that a “cadet” lost her life in the line of duty at the Robertson Unit Training Center in Abilene, Texas.

The officer was identified as 46 year old Michelle Strube.  The agency states she died during “routine pre-service training” on August 19, 2024.  Pre-service training is a six-week course completed by all officers prior to starting at their unit of assignment.

“Cadet Strube committed to protecting and serving the state of Texas. There is no higher calling than that,” Texas Board of Criminal Justice Chairman Eric Nichols said.  “Our prayers are with her family, friends and academy cohort during this difficult time.

“TDCJ mourns, along with her family, Cadet Strube who was at the start of her career as a Correctional Officer,” TDCJ Executive Director Bryan Collier said. “Her dedication will be remembered with profound respect and gratitude.”

The agency was vague on the cause of death and will not respond to our media inquiries.  The agency’s public social media release would only refer to Strube’s title as “cadet” instead of the standard “Correction Officer I” title given to officers during their training period.  

In Texas the survivors of correctional officers who die in the line of duty are entitled to a $500,000 line of duty death benefit.