The Sheriffs' Association of Texas (SAT) has awarded its Tom Tellepsen Award to Gregg County Sheriff Maxey Cerliano.
"The Tellepsen Award is the highest of tributes to the Sheriff who is selected as its recipient," according to the association's website. "The selection criterion includes the recognition of outstanding contributions to the advancement of law enforcement and criminal justice and honors more than ability and performance."
Cerliano has been sheriff of Gregg County since 2001. He served as president of SAT in 2014, currently serves as vice chair of the Texas Association of Counties (TAC) Risk Management Pool Board of Directors, and sits on the TAC Investment and TAC Leadership Development committees.
"It is indeed a great honor to have been selected as the sheriff to receive the Tellepsen Award for 2020," Cerliano said. "As the recipient, it is humbling to join those fellow sheriffs that have previously been recognized for their contributions to law enforcement. I am grateful for the nomination, supporting letters and the Board of Directors of the Sheriffs’ Association of Texas."
SAT created the Tellespen Award in 1975 and named it in honor of Tom Tellepsen, a native of Norway who became "a staunch and patriotic American" and lifelong supporter of law enforcement, according to the association.