The National Animal Care & Control Association (NACA) has awarded Thurston County Sheriff’s Office detective and sheriff candidate Kevin Burton-Crow with the 2026 Bill Lehman Award.
The award is given to an individual not directly employed in the animal care and control field, but who has shown an exceptional awareness of animal care and control-related matters, according to NACA. The recipient is “recognized as a ‘friend’ of animal care and control for contributions and outstanding action that has helped further the positive image of animal care and control professionals through local, state, or national animal control associations,” NACA states.
“Detective Kevin Burton-Crow of the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office exemplifies what true partnership between law enforcement and animal services should look like,” NACA states on its website. “From the outset, Kevin has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to supporting Joint Animal Services (JAS), helping to bridge gaps that have historically existed between agencies. Through his professionalism, initiative, and respect for the role of animal control officers, he has elevated collaboration and ensured that animal welfare cases receive the attention and seriousness they deserve.”
Burton-Crow’s “leadership, integrity, and commitment to both public safety and animal welfare” made him a “standout candidate” for the Bill Lehman Award, NACA stated.
NACA provides resources, standardized training and support for animal care and control professionals across the United States.
The organization has been recognizing individuals, agencies, organizations, and state associations for more than 25 years on the national level for their service within the animal care and control field.
“I am humbled and grateful to be recognized by NACA with the 2026 Bill Lehman Award,” Burton-Crow said in an official statement. “I have always believed that animal welfare reflects a community’s character, and I have been lucky enough to work alongside people who raise that standard every single day. Together, law enforcement, animal care and control professionals, and our diligent community members will keep building on the work that makes this recognition meaningful. I am proud to be a part of this work.”
Burton-Crow formally launched his campaign for Thurston County sheriff with a kickoff event on Thursday, March 25.
He currently serves as a special victims detective with the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office and marked five years of full-time employment with the office earlier this month.
Burton-Crow served as a reserve officer for the sheriff’s office for six years starting shortly after returning from deployment in Afghanistan in 2014. He eventually joined the department full time in 2021 after retiring from the Army the same year.
