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KHOU 11 earns prestigious National Murrow Award for Continuing Coverage into Coffee City Police Department

Investigative reporter Jeremy Rogalski, Executive Producer Jennifer Cobb and photojournalist John Gibson investigated an East Texas police department.

HOUSTON — KHOU 11 has won a prestigious National Murrow Award for Continuing Coverage into the Coffee City Police Department

KHOU 11 Investigates found that in a Texas town of about 250 people there were 50 sworn police officers. That's five times the number of any town its size. 

Journalists Jeremy Rogalski, John Gibson and Jennifer Cobb found that more than half of those officers had been suspended, demoted, terminated, or dishonorably discharged from their previous law enforcement jobs. The misconduct ranged from untruthfulness and excessive force to criminal charges of official oppression and aggravated assault. 

Since the story aired, city council members fired the police chief who hired them and shut down the department. A grand jury has indicted seven former officers, including the police chief, for tampering with government records.

You can watch our investigation into Coffee City in the video window above.

RELATED: This Texas town has about 250 people. It has 50 sworn police officers. | Part 1

RELATED: Caught on camera: Small-town police chief goes on tirade | Part 2

RELATED: Coffee City Police Department suspends division after KHOU 11 Investigates questioned its legality | Part 3

RELATED: Coffee City police chief suspended after KHOU 11 Investigation | Part 4

RELATED: Coffee City mayor ‘shocked’ by KHOU 11 Investigates findings over police hiring practices

RELATED: In wake of KHOU 11 Investigates reports, Coffee City fires police chief, deactivates police department

RELATED: Former Coffee City police chief faces felony charges after KHOU 11 investigation

RELATED: Another former Coffee City, Texas cop indicted after KHOU 11 investigation

RELATED: Third former Coffee City police officer indicted on tampering charges

RELATED: Former Coffee City mayor facing felony charges in ongoing investigation

RELATED: Two more former Coffee City officers indicted\

RELATED: Coffee City police indictments climb to 7 former cops

RELATED: Fired and hired: KHOU 11 Investigates ‘wandering officers’ in the Houston area

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