Dear Neighbor, The latest Chief’s Monthly Report (June) shows year-to-date increases in murder (96 percent), aggravated assault (15 percent), and auto theft (9 percent) compared to 2020. Robbery (-12 percent) and simple assault (-3 percent) were among the crime categories that decreased. This Thursday, starting at 4:00 p.m., the Austin City Council will consider community input on the proposed… 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
July 12, 2021
Dear Neighbor, Last Friday, City Manager Spencer Cronk released a proposed fiscal year 2022 budget, which funds two police cadet classes next year. A commitment to future cadet classes is a significant step toward solving the Austin Police Department’s staffing crisis. The police department will have at least 156 vacancies by the end of July, in addition… Read more »
Neighborhood Network
June 30, 2021
Dear Neighbor, The latest Chief’s Monthly Report shows year-to-date increases in murder (79 percent), aggravated assault (15 percent), and burglary (4 percent). Robbery (-5 percent) and simple assault (-2 percent) were among the crime categories that decreased. Austin City Manager Spencer Cronk will release a proposed fiscal year 2022 budget on July 9. Budget adoption is scheduled for August… Read more »