Dear Neighbor, It has been 102 days since the last class of forty-two cadets graduated from the Austin Police Department Training Academy. The police department now has seventy-six vacancies, on top of the 150 positions cut by the Austin City Council in the current fiscal year budget. Much work has been done to improve police recruiting and… 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
January 26, 2021
Dear Neighbor, Austin faces serious public safety challenges, notably homelessness and police staffing. This week, let’s discuss police patrol shortages and academy training. The first round of Austin Police Department staffing reassignments went into effect this month, which moved eighty-nine officers from specialized units back to patrol. These reallocations were made to adjust the patrol workload to account… Read more »
Neighborhood Network
January 13, 2021
Dear Neighbor, Last year was defined by the pandemic and politics. This year, the community will work together to end a public health crisis and focus on homelessness and public safety. The Texas Legislature convened yesterday for the 87th Regular Session. Criminal justice and public safety will be among the top issues facing state lawmakers. For example,… Read more »