Special to The Leader

AUSTIN – Thomas Riedmueller of Bridge City, Texas was presented the Leonard Davis Award during the Governor’s 2017 Criminal Justice Volunteer Service Award program on Thursday.

The award was presented by Texas Board of Criminal Justice Chairman Dale Wainwright and TDCJ Executive Director Bryan Collier during a ceremony held in Austin.

“It takes a special kind of person to give of their time and expect no material reward,” said Bryan Collier, Executive Director of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. “The contributions these volunteers make are invaluable and have a lasting impact on the public safety of our fellow Texans.”

“By giving of their time and their gifts as volunteers, these award recipients are helping build a better community not only for themselves but for everyone whose lives they touch,” said Wainwright.

The award is named in recognition of Leonard Davis who passed away in 2009. He was the honored recipient of this award in 2005, 2007, 2008 and posthumously in 2010 when the award was re-named in his honor.

Riedmueller has volunteered selflessly for over 1,100 hours and continues to make himself available for whatever is needed. Whether it is in the chapel or answering telephones, he does so without hesitation at the Stiles Unit in Beaumont. As the Catholic coordinator at the unit, he is instrumental in making sure all programs go smoothly.

Riedmueller is one of 12 individuals and 9 organizations from across the state recognized for their efforts to help inmates and those who are on parole or probation. They donate many hours of their personal time every year with the goal of changing the lives of convicted offenders, and aiding and comforting their victims.

In FY2016, there were over 24,500 volunteers who provided a total of 390,711 hours of service.