Tom Green County Receives $1.3 Million in Rural Law Enforcement Grants

SAN ANGELO, TX — Tom Green County is among the rural counties receiving a portion of more than $125 million in grant funds allocated for law enforcement and prosecutor offices across Texas, according to the Texas Comptroller's office. 

Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar is visiting Tom Green, Schleicher, and Menard counties as part of his "Good for Texas Tour" to highlight the impact of these grants, which were authorized by the Texas Legislature.

The funding is part of the Rural Law Enforcement Grant Program, established by Senate Bill 22 during the 88th Texas Legislature. The program provides salary assistance and funds for equipment to rural counties for the 2024-25 biennium. By the end of fiscal 2024 on Aug. 31, Hegar’s office had awarded $125.7 million to 502 grant recipients.

Tom Green County received $1.3 million, while Menard and Schleicher counties each received $525,000. The funds allowed these counties to increase salaries for sheriffs, deputies, and jailers, hire additional staff, and purchase essential equipment such as patrol vehicles, according to the Texas Comptroller's office. 

“For years, many of these rural law enforcement and prosecutor offices have lacked the resources they need to attract and retain personnel or to buy much-needed equipment,” Hegar stated. “These men and women are the backbone of their communities, and Texas is committed to supporting them. In some areas officers are purchasing their own weapons and counties can't afford to pay their sheriffs a respectable living wage. This program is a critical step toward ensuring these crucial entities have the resources they need to keep our communities safe, and it’s been a privilege to support our hard-working men and women. I'm grateful to the Legislature for trusting me with this effort.”

The Rural Law Enforcement Grant Program provides grants to counties with populations under 300,000. The program includes the Rural Sheriff’s Department Salary Assistance Grant, the Rural Constable’s Office Salary Assistance Grant, and the Rural Prosecutor’s Office Salary Assistance Grant.

These grants fund salary increases, equipment purchases, and staff hiring.

Visit the Comptroller's website for more information on the Rural Law Enforcement Grant Program.