FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Kristen McDougal, Director of Communication & Outreach
Kerr County Sheriff Honored with Defender Award for Outstanding Commitment to Upholding the Rule of Law and Protecting Citizens
The American Constitutional Rights Union (ACRU) has recognized Sheriff Larry L. Leitha, Kerr County, Texas, as the recipient of ACRU’s prestigious Defender Award. This honor is awarded to law enforcement leaders who honor their constitutional oath to protect and to serve by working cooperatively with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to protect legal, law-abiding citizens from criminal illegal aliens.
ACRU Executive Director Lt. Col. Allen West presented the award to Sheriff Leitha on Friday, June 13, 2025. Kerr County Sheriff’s Office participates in all three models – the Task Force Model, the Warrant Service Officer Model and the Jail Enforcement Model.
According to ICE: “The Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 added Section 287(g) to the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) — authorizing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to delegate to state and local law enforcement officers the authority to perform specified immigration officer functions under the agency’s direction and oversight…The 287(g) Program enhances the safety and security of our nation’s communities by allowing ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) to partner with state and local law enforcement.”
“Sheriff Leitha exemplifies what it means to be a true defender of the law,” said Col. Allen West, Executive Director of ACRU. “This award acknowledges his leadership and dedication to preserving American citizens’ rights to safety and security through their partnership with the 287(g) program. All law enforcement agencies should take note and follow his lead to fully embrace the authorization afforded to designated officers through these models. Well done.”
“I would like to accept this honor on behalf of the deputies and staff who work every day to secure our county and protect more than 50,000 Texans spread over 1,100 square miles,” said Sheriff Leitha. “During the worst of the immigration surge and even today, our deputies put their lives on the line to protect innocent people from the destruction brought by human smugglers, drug dealers, and others. Some of these threats are local, others just use our roads as they traverse Texas, but one thing is certain: our Interdiction Teams, Criminal Investigation Division, and Patrol Division prove time and again they handle the hard cases and stand up to protect our citizens. We take our oath to protect and serve our county seriously. We appreciate this recognition, and we will continue to hold the line and enforce the law. The citizens of Kerr County and Texas deserve no less.”
For more information about the Defender Initiative and the American Constitutional Rights Union, visit theacru.org/defenders.
Questions:
Direct questions to Kristen McDougal, Kristen.McDougal@theacru.org
