Shenandoah Police Chief Raymond Shaw was honored as a 2017 Star of Texas recipient at a ceremony on Sept. 11.[/caption]

Shenandoah Police Chief Raymond Shaw was honored as a 2017 Star of Texas recipient in a Sept. 11 ceremony at the State Capitol with Gov. Greg Abbott.

The award was created by House Bill 1937 in 2003 to honor select first responders who have made profound commitments while performing their duties. These first responders include peace officers, firefighters, emergency medical first responders, law enforcement officers, special agents and citizens, who were seriously injured or killed while assisting Texas first responders.

Nominations are submitted annually and go before an advisory committee appointed by the governor for consideration.

Recipients are honored with the award annually on Sept. 11, which is also Texas First Responders Day.

“We can never say thank you enough to those who put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe,” Abbott said in a statement. “The Star of Texas Awards offer an opportunity to showcase the true valor of brave men and women who serve in Texas communities and I look forward to honoring them.”

Shaw joined the Shenandoah Police Department in 1997 after his tenure with Harris County Precinct 4.

In 2010, Shaw was intentionally struck by an ATV that was fleeing from a Montgomery County Sheriff’s deputy, breaking his leg in multiple places and fracturing his shoulder. He was then transported to Hermann Memorial Hospital where he underwent surgery followed by a lengthy recovery process before returning to work.

Shaw was appointed from lieutenant to police chief Oct. 1, after former Chief John Chancellor retired. He was nominated for the award by Assistant Chief Barry Gresham, under whom he has worked for the past 11 years.

“Chief Shaw… is one of the finest men this author has ever known,” Gresham said in his nomination. “To his credit, Shaw is a courageous, fierce and professional leader where every man who serves under him would gladly step in front of a bullet for him.”

Shaw is one of 474 Texas men and women who have previously been honored with the Star of Texas award.