Governor Abbott Names Mills Chair And Appoints Knoll To Peace Officers’ Star Of Texas Award Advisory Committee
Governor Greg Abbott has named Bruce Mills presiding officer and appointed Fred Knoll, Jr. to the Peace Officers’ Star of Texas Award Advisory Committee for terms at the pleasure of the Governor. The committee advises the Governor on the issuance, design, and presentation of the Peace Officers' Star of Texas Award, which is awarded to peace officers who are seriously injured in the line of duty and the surviving next of kin of each peace officer who is killed or sustains a fatal injury in the line of duty.
Bruce Mills of Spicewood is a partner with Public Sector Solutions, LLC, and has over 40 years of public safety experience. Previously, he served as director of public safety and emergency management department at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport and retired from the Austin Police Depart as Assistant Chief after 27 years of service. He is a member of the Texas Police Association and the International Association of Chiefs of Police, and serves as a board member on the St. Edward’s Alumni Board. Previously, he volunteered as president of the board for the 100 Club of Central Texas and as treasurer and board member of Austin Child Guidance Center. Mills was awarded the Medal of Valor from Austin Police Department. He received a Bachelor of Liberal Studies in criminal justice from St. Edwards University and a Master of Science in criminal justice administration from Southwest Texas State University.
Fred Knoll, Jr. of Del Rio is the Police Chief with the City of Del Rio and spent 25 years in service with the department. He is a member of the Texas Police Chiefs Association, Texas Chiefs Association Best Practices, and the International Association of Chiefs of Police. In his community, he has coached several teams with the Boys and Girls Club of Del Rio, Del Rio/Laughlin Youth Soccer League, and the Del Rio National Little League, along with serving as a volunteer firefighter in the Del Rio Volunteer Fire Department. Knoll received an Associates of Science in criminal justice and a Bachelor of Science in business administration and is certified as a family violence intervention specialist from Colorado Technical University.