HOUSTON, Texas – There are officially two new chiefs in town! On Wednesday, the Houston City Council confirmed the appointment of a new Houston Police Department chief and a Houston Fire Department chief.
Mayor John Whitmire confirms Houston Fire Department Chief Sam Peña is out, to be replaced by Thomas Muñoz
‘It’s an exciting day’: Mayor Whitmire introduces city’s new police chief
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Mayor Whitmire appointed a new Houston Fire Department chief, Thomas Muñoz, who would replace former fire chief Samuel Peña on July 26. A week later, on Aug. 1, the mayor appointed a new police chief, Noe Diaz, who would replace former chief Troy Finner.
Who is Thomas Muñoz?
Munoz most recently served as the City of Houston’s Office of Emergency Management Deputy Director and Emergency Coordinator and has over 26 years of experience as a first responder, emergency manager and Coast Guard.
“Mayor Whitmire is a no-nonsense leader who has supported our firefighters since day one,” said Chief Muñoz. “I am committed to taking care of the residents of Houston, which must begin with taking care of the men and women of the Houston Fire Department. The work we do today will have a lasting impact for years to come, and I know that with this administration, we can improve the safety of all residents and future generations.”
Before working for the city of Houston, Munoz served as the Emergency Manager and Homeland Security Director for Texas City and before that, served 24 years with the Houston Fire Department as the Assistant Chief of Homeland Security and Planning.
Tom retired as Commander from the United States Coast Guard (Reserve) after 21 years of service. During his time in the United States Coast Guard, he served as the Deputy Incident Commander for the New Orleans Vessel Removal Projects, the Texas City Y Spill Liaison and most recently served as the Hurricane Maria Emergency Preparedness Liaison Officer in San Juan, PR.
In 2007, he received the Captain Edward R. Williams United States Coast Guard Reserve Award for Excellence. He is also the recipient of five USCG Commendation Medals.
Who is Noe Diaz?
Diaz brings 23 years of experience in law enforcement to his new role, including 11 years as a Texas Ranger. Diaz was the former Police Chief for the City of Katy.
He also has existing partnerships with multiple agencies and has worked with HPD on task forces across Houston.
“I’m a servant leader. I think of you before myself,” Diaz said.
Since March 2019, Diaz has served as the Chief of Police for the Katy Police Department and has worked his entire professional career in various law enforcement positions while assuming greater responsibility and gaining the respect of colleagues and the community.
Diaz’s career in law enforcement began in 1987 as a Texas Department of Criminal Justice correctional officer, a role he held until 1994. The same year, he completed the University of Houston-Downtown Police Academy and joined the Harris County Constable Precinct Five Office. In 1996, the Texas Department of Public Safety selected Diaz to attend DPS Academy A-96. Upon completing the academy, Diaz was assigned to the Katy Highway Patrol Office as a DPS Trooper.
In 2001, he was promoted to the Narcotics Division of the State Police stationed in Houston. During his seven years as a narcotics sergeant, Diaz was assigned to the Harris County Organized Crime Task Force, HPD, ATF, DEA, and the FBI.
In 2008, Diaz was appointed a Texas Ranger and served briefly in Rio Grande City, Texas, until returning to the Houston Office. He was assigned as the Public Corruption Ranger for Company A (Greater Houston Area) for over ten years, working on various high-profile public corruption investigations. Diaz was assigned to the FBI Public Corruption Border Task Force as a Task Force Officer and maintains top-secret clearance.
Diaz earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of Houston- Downtown (100 Club Scholarship Recipient) and a Master of Science in Criminology from Lamar University. He is a 263rd FBI National Academy and FBI Texas Command College graduate. Diaz also graduated from the Northwestern University Center for Public Safety, School of Police Staff and Command in 2024 and is enrolled in the University of Houston Certified Public Manager Program starting in 2025.
He is also a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police and Texas Police Chief’s Association and has over 7,000 Law Enforcement (TCOLE) training hours.
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