Over 37 years experience in local and federal law enforcement
Sheriff of Smith County since January 1, 2013
Almost 16 years supervisory experience in local and federal law enforcement
CAREER TIME LINE
Gregg County Sheriff’s Office
September 1976 – August 1987
Captain Criminal Investigation Division – April 1983 – August 1987
Lieutenant Criminal Investigation Division – December 1980 – March 1983
Criminal Investigator – November 1978 – November 1980
U.S. Department of Justice
Drug Enforcement Administration,
August 1987 – September 1989
Special Agent/Criminal Investigator
U.S. Department of Justice
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATFE),
September 1989 – January 2011
Criminal Investigator/Specialist in Fire, Explosives and Forensic Mapping
Task Force Team Leader, National and International Response Team Member
TRAINING RECEIVED
Over 8200 hours training received in local and federal law enforcement including in part:
Fire, Homicide, Explosives, Sex Crime investigation and Management training.
TRAINING PROVIDED
Over 1200 hours training and instruction provided to state, local and federal law enforcement including in part the teaching of Explosives Post-Blast procedures, Fire investigation, interview procedures and Clandestine Drug investigation.
HONORS / AWARDS
Nominated for appointment to West Point Military Academy in 1973 by Congressman Wright Patman
Outstanding Peace Officer Award 1982 East Texas Peace Officers Association
Arial Rios Memorial Award for Leadership, Bureau of ATFE May 1990
National Church Arson Task Force and U.S. Attorney General Award 1999
Johnny Massengale Memorial Award for Explosives Expertise exhibited in Gerdec, Albania 2009
Two Performance Awards Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives
16 additional Special Act or Service Awards from U.S. Department of Justice, ATFE
Career Service Award Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives
COMMENDATIONS
Letter of Commendation Director of ATFE for NRT Pentagon Response 2001
FBI Director Louis Freeh Letter of Commendation June 1998 for Church Fire Investigation
Letter of Commendation, ATFE Assistant Director for East Texas Church Fire Investigation 2010
Letter of Commendation, ATFE Special Agent in Charge for East Texas Pipe Bomb Investigation 2010
14 additional local and federal Letters of Commendation
EDUCATION
Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice, University of Texas at Tyler 1986
Associate of Applied Arts Degree in Criminal Justice, Kilgore Junior College 1976
MEMBERSHIPS
Sharon Shrine Temple competing on the Sportsters Competition Trap and Skeet Team
National Rifle Association
Texas State Rifle Association
COMMUNITY/CHARITY WORK
Supporting hospitals for crippled children, burn victims through the work of the Sharon Shrine Temple
Rose Capital East Youth Baseball Coach
Pop Warner Football Coach
Boy Scouts of America Assistant Scout Master
PERSONAL
Born in Big Sandy, May 20, 1956. Graduate of New Diana High School where he lettered in four sports.
Turned down an appointment to West Point to pursue a career in law enforcement.
Married 25 years to the former Leslie Leigh Tillery, native of Mobile, Alabama
Leslie is employed as a registered nurse at Chapel Hill Middle School.
Family includes son, Landan, and daughter, Lauren, who attend the University of Texas at Tyler and Tyler Junior College, respectively.
Attend Green Acres Baptist Church where they have been members since 1989.
Larry serves on the church’s Security Committee and Leslie is a preschool volunteer.
Hobbies: Hunting, fishing, shooting trap and playing golf
Resident of Tyler since 1989.
