The Virginia Sheriffs’ Association today honored House Speaker Todd Gilbert, R-Shenandoah, as their Legislator of the Year in an ceremony at their Spring Conference at the Homestead in Bath County.
“I’m honored and humbled to accept this award from our hard-working Virginia sheriffs,” Speaker Gilbert said. “It hasn’t been easy to wear the badge the past few years, which is why I’ve worked to reverse as many of the destructive policies put in place by the previous majority.”
“Our majority has worked to give deputies the tools they need to do the job and the pay they deserve for doing it,” he added. “When we work to support law enforcement, we’re working to create safer communities that can prosper and thrive.”
“I look forward to working with our sheriffs to achieve those goals for years to come,” he said.
“Speaker Gilbert has been an unwavering friend to law enforcement for his entire career, but at no time has his support been more valuable than the past two years,” said John Jones, the group’s Executive Director.
“When protesters were in the streets demanding that the General Assembly defund law enforcement, Todd Gilbert was leading the fight against it,” Jones said. “As Speaker of the House, he’s been instrumental in efforts to reverse the policies that have made our deputies’ jobs more difficult and more dangerous.”
“We thank him for his work, and are pleased to present him with this award honoring all he has done for our sheriffs and every Virginian who wears the badge,” he said.