21. Henry B. Hodge

Twenty-first Sheriff of Kendall County - January 1997 - December 2004

Henry Hodge became the first African American officer in the Denton County Sheriff's Department.  He was also the first African American officer when he came to the Boerne Police Department.  He was heard to say," I never looked at it that way.  The position was open, and I applied for the job."  In 1997, Henry B. Hodge ran for sheriff of Kendall County against incumbent Sheriff Lee D'Spain.  History was made when Hodge won the sheriff's race. He became the first Republican, African American sheriff in the state since Reconstruction.  Hodge says he did not believe race played any part in the campaign.  "There's not all that many black families in Kendall County or voters, so they didn't play a significant part. I think the election results speak for themselves as to how people in Kendall County generally viewed it.  Most of my votes obviously came from people of other races."  People here have known me for a number of years," he added. "I think they judged me on the basis of honesty, experience, and professionalism."  A low point during his time in office was the death of Deputy Sheriff Larry Kolb, a well-loved deputy who handled the drug dog, Amo.  He was shot and killed on October 2, 1999, while answering a "shots fired" call at the Shady Rest Mobile Home Park.  Sheriff Hodge held office for two terms.  He sought reelection in 2004 but was defeated by Roger Duncan. After several years he left Boerne to take a law enforcement related job in South Texas

Source: McLarry, Nancy. "Henry B. Hodge" Keys to the Past. Vol. XXXVIII No. 2, Fall/Winter 2019.