Dear Neighbor, The Greater Austin Crime Commission turns twenty-five this year. Since 1997, we’ve supported Central Texas first responders and promoted public safety planning. Our silver anniversary begins with a groundbreaking police staffing project announced today by Police Chief Joseph Chacon. Austin is the first city to use machine learning to model police staffing. The Greater Austin Crime Commission… Read more »
Kilgore Award for Public Service
The Joe M. Kilgore Award was established by the Greater Austin Crime Commission to honor individuals for outstanding public service.
JOE M. KILGORE
Kilgore was a founding director and executive committee member of the Greater Austin Crime Commission. He was born in Brown County and raised in the Rio Grande Valley. Kilgore graduated from the University of Texas and its School of Law. In 1941, he joined the Air Corps and served during World War II, flying dozens of missions in the Mediterranean, and for his heroic efforts was awarded the Silver Star and Distinguished Flying Cross. Kilgore attained the rank of lieutenant colonel and later achieved the rank of major general in the Air Force Reserves.
Following World War II, Kilgore practiced law in Edinburg until his election to the Texas House of Representatives, where he served from 1947-1954. He was then elected to the United States House of Representatives, succeeding Lloyd Bentsen, and spent a decade representing the Rio Grande Valley’s 15th Congressional District before relocating to Austin and joining the law firm that later became McGinnis, Lochridge & Kilgore. He was a regent of The University of Texas System from 1967-1973, president of the UT Ex-Students Association in 1994-1995. Kilgore was named a Distinguished UT Alumnus in 1982 and Austin’s Distinguished Citizen in 1987. Kilgore married the former Jane Redman in 1945. The couple had four children. Kilgore passed away in Austin in February 1999.
Recipients
2019
Adm. William H. McRaven, USN (Ret)
2017
Speaker Joseph R. Straus III, Texas House of Representatives
2013
Hon. Michael T. McCaul, United States House of Representatives
2011
Adm. Bobby R. Inman, USN (Ret)
2009
Hon. Kay Bailey Hutchison, United States Senate
2007
William Powers Jr., President, The University of Texas at Austin
2005
Hon. Antonio O. Garza Jr., United States Ambassador to Mexico
2003
Hon. John Cornyn, United States Senate
2001
Senior Captain Bruce Casteel, Texas Rangers
2000
Colonel Dudley M. Thomas, Director, Texas Department of Public Safety
In the News
Neighborhood Network
November 17, 2021
Dear Neighbor, I’m thankful for the dedicated first responders that keep our businesses, churches, neighborhoods, and schools safe. As we look ahead to a new year, the Greater Austin Crime Commission is focused on the future. We’ll work on patrol staffing, long-term budget planning, and EMS, fire, and police contracts. When the Austin City Council voted… Read more »
Blog, Neighborhood Network
September 22, 2021
Dear Neighbor, Joseph Chacon will be the next chief of the Austin Police Department. City Manager Spencer Cronk announced the decision today after a national search to replace former Chief Brian Manley, who retired in March. The Austin City Council is expected to ratify the choice at its regular meeting on September 30. Joe is the police… Read more »