(Seguin) — Former Guadalupe County Sheriff Arnold Zwicke has been retired for more than a year, but that hasn’t stopped him from picking up another special award.
Zwicke has recently added another statewide honor to his law enforcement career.
He was named the 2026 recipient of the Tieman H. Dippel Texas Peacemaker Award, one of Texas’ highest recognitions for a lifetime of exceptional public service.
The award was presented during the Sheriffs’ Association of Texas Annual Conference in Fort Worth.
The honor recognizes law enforcement leaders, who have demonstrated extraordinary dedication to justice, community service, mentoring future officers and strengthening the communities they serve.
When notified that he had been nominated, Zwicke says he never imagined the recognition would come after his retirement.
“I’m honored. It’s truly an honor. I’m still at a loss for words to believe this even happened,” said Zwicke.
The former sheriff retired about a year and a half ago after more than 32 years with the Guadalupe County Sheriff’s Office.
He served six elected terms as sheriff.
The nomination was submitted by current Guadalupe County Sheriff’s Office Reserve Deputy Steven Myers, who worked under Zwicke’s leadership for approximately 20 years.
Myers says the decision to nominate his former boss was an easy, because of the lasting impact Zwicke had on both the agency and the community.
“He was always very accessible. Anything you needed from him, all you had to do was knock on his door. He’d sit down and talk to you. He’s a very personal guy, and all of the things he’s has done for the county just needed to be recognized,” said Myers.
Zwicke says the recognition “reflects far more than his own efforts.”
He credits the employees of the sheriff’s office and the partnerships built throughout the county.
“We cared about the community, and the partnership that we had at the Sheriff’s Office—we were a team. We wanted to express to the community that we cared about them as much as they cared about us,” said Zwicke.
A fifth-generation Guadalupe County native, Zwicke was also known for his community involvement beyond law enforcement, supporting programs such as Santa Sheriff, Blue Santa, Toys for Tots and other local advocacy organizations.
He also remained active in numerous civic groups throughout the area.
The Texas Peacemaker Award now stands alongside one of his other distinguished awards presented by the Sheriff’s Association.
Zwicke in 2009 was recognized with the statewide organization’s Tom Tellepsen Award.