by KTAR.com (June 20th, 2011 @ 3:14pm) Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu was named the 2011 National Sheriff of the Year Sunday by the National Sheriff's Association, according to a press release from the Pinal County Sheriff's Office.

"I'm very humbled by the recognition for the exemplary work of our staff, volunteers and the strong community support by the public," Babeu said in the press release.

Since his election in 2008, Babeu has become an oft-mentioned figure in the illegal immigration debate and worked on the development of the "10 Point Border Security Plan" with Sen. John McCain and Sen. Jon Kyl, the press release said.

A SWAT, Traffic and Narcotics Task Force was created under Babeu's administration. Wait times for deputy response was also cut to around seven minutes, the press release said.

Babeu is president of the Arizona Sheriff's Association.

The NSA has over 20,000 members representing over 3,000 elected sheriffs across the nation, the press release said.
http://ktar.com/category/local-news-art ... -the-Year/