TYLER – Governor Greg Abbott today met with sheriffs to thank them for their dedicated service and endorsement of his campaign, discuss public safety priorities, and reaffirm his commitment to ensuring law enforcement has the tools and resources needed to keep Texans safe. The Governor was joined by Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith, Lamar County Sheriff Scott C. Cass, Representative Daniel Alders, Representative Cole Hefner, and more than a dozen sheriffs from surrounding counties.
“Texas is a law-and-order state, and the men and women who wear the badge represent the very best of who we are as Texans,” said Governor Abbott. “As Governor, I will always have the backs of our law enforcement officers and provide them with the resources they need to keep our communities safe. We have expanded the Repeat Offender Task Force, strengthened our anti-gang efforts, and provided more than $600 million in rural law enforcement grants. While Gina Hinojosa votes against law enforcement and supports policies that put criminals back on our streets, I will always support our sheriffs and ensure dangerous criminals are held accountable.”
The Governor slammed Gina Hinojosa’s shameful voting record against law enforcement.
“Gina Hinojosa has a dangerous public safety record,” said Governor Abbott. “She has voted against banning sanctuary cities, voted to defund the police, and even authored a bill that would strip officers of protections from frivolous lawsuits. I have never, and will never, work against those who represent the very best of our state, but Gina Hinojosa will.”
During the roundtable, Governor Abbott discussed additional ways to bolster support for local law enforcement and other public safety policies. The sheriffs thanked the Governor for his support of Senate Bill 22, which provides funding to support rural law enforcement agencies.
Click here to read more about Governor Abbott’s Public Safety Initiatives.
Additional photos of today’s events will be provided here when available.
Below is a list of sheriffs who attended today’s event:
- Anderson County Sheriff Rudy Flores
- Camp County Sheriff John Cortelyou
- Cass County Sheriff Larry Rowe
- Fannin County Sheriff Cody Shook
- Franklin County Sheriff Ricky Jones
- Gregg County Sheriff Maxey Cerliano
- Harrison County Sheriff Brandon “B.J.” Fletcher
- Lamar County Sheriff Scott C. Cass
- Panola County Sheriff Cutter Clinton
- Rusk County Sheriff Johnwayne Valdez
- Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith
- Titus County Sheriff Chris Bragg
- Van Zandt County Sheriff Kevin Bridger
