TYLER, Texas — Sheriffs' Association of Texas Executive Director Steve Westbrook resigned from his position this week amid an investigation into allegations of him misappropriating funds from the group that he was charged with leading.
Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith, who is also president of the Sheriffs' Association of Texas, announced during a news conference Thursday that Westbrook was immediately placed administrative leave once Westbrook and the board learned of the Texas Attorney General's Office investigation.
Smith said that more information prompted the board to meet and they unanimously voted to accept Westbrook's resignation Wednesday at noon in lieu of termination.
According to Smith, the SAT board became aware of the AG's Office investigation on Nov. 17.
As a part of the resignation, Westbrook surrendered his peace officer with the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement and was ordered pay full restitution that will be determined by a third party. All of his compensation also stopped immediately as of Wednesday at noon.
Smith explained the investigation into Westbrook began with a tip from two Sheriffs' Association of Texas employees. Smith said he was shocked by the investigation as he had a great relationship with Westbrook.
"It's a shock to any sheriff that knew him," Smith said.
The Sheriffs' Association of Texas has retained an accounting firm to investigate the allegations. The review will likely go back five to seven years, Smith said. He added the efforts will take a significant amount of time.
Skylor Hearn has been named the interim executive director of SAT, Smith said, adding that Hearn will bring immediate integrity to the organization.
"Integrity can be lost in the snap of a finger and that's what has happened in this situation," Smith said.
Checks and balances will be put into place so this doesn't happen again, Smith said.
Westbrook began his law enforcement career in the 1970s at the Henderson County Sheriff's Office, according to Smith.
According to its website, the Sheriffs' Association of Texas is one of the oldest law enforcement associations in the nation. The group met for the first time on August 14, 1874, in the courthouse in Corsicana, Navarro County. Through help from its membership, SAT gives training, legal assistance, and other critical resources to peace officers across Texas at no cost.
In the last 24 hours, Westbrook was removed from the Sheriff's Association webpage, https://www.txsheriffs.org/staff.
CBS19 will update this story as more information becomes available.