Sheriff Maurice C. Cook – A Lifetime of Service to Bastrop County, Texas

Background & Career Highlights

Maurice C. Cook has dedicated over six decades to public service, beginning with his enlistment in the U.S. Air Force at age 17. After serving as an air policeman in Vietnam, he transitioned to municipal law enforcement and then to the Texas Department of Public Safety, eventually joining the Texas Rangers in 1974 (electcookforsheriff.com). Rising through the ranks, Cook served as Texas Ranger Chief from 1992 to 1996, one of only a few to hold that prestigious position (electcookforsheriff.com).

Post-Ranger Roles

Following his retirement from DPS, Cook became Director of Law Enforcement Training at Alvin Community College (2000–2013), teaching criminal justice and use-of-force topics (electcookforsheriff.com). He earned his legal degree in 2004 and works as a licensed attorney and expert witness in law enforcement matters (electcookforsheriff.com). Today, he remains a Special Texas Ranger and adjunct instructor (electcookforsheriff.com).

Bastrop County Sheriff

Cook was elected Sheriff of Bastrop County in 2016 with 58% of the vote and was re‑elected in 2024 .In office, he has prioritized community involvement, robust training, and sound budget management. He’s pursued a new training complex for the sheriff’s office to bolster firearms, scenario-based, and driving training (communityimpact.com).

Legacy of Expertise

Cook has drawn on his prolific law enforcement background—ranging from major incident responses like the 1974 Huntsville Prison Siege to providing legislative testimony—for his work as sheriff and trainer (leapatshsu.com). As of 2024, he marked 60 years in law enforcement, spearheading efforts to expand jail capacity for the region’s rapidly growing population .

Community Engagement & Challenges

A staunch advocate for “zero tolerance” enforcement, Sheriff Cook attracted controversy when a traffic crackdown in Del Valle resulted in 24 arrests—13 of whom were detained by ICE. While Cook stated the operation was traffic law enforcement, critics argued it disproportionately affected Hispanic residents (star-telegram.com).

Still, his office maintains positive local outreach—combatting fraud, sharing scam alerts, and actively engaging with faith groups to address concerns .

Why Sheriff Cook Matters to Bastrop

Role	Impact
Seasoned Leadership	Applies decades of high-stakes experience to local law enforcement
Focused on Training	Championing a dedicated facility to improve deputy readiness
Community Outreach	Listens to civic groups and issues public safety warnings
Resource Prioritization	Advocates jail expansion, training investment, and budget oversight

In His Own Words

Cook emphasizes respect and transparency:

“Treating the public respectfully and courteously is a requirement of his administration.” (communityimpact.com, fox7austin.com)

“Proper training… the public deserves to have decisions made by a properly trained and informed deputy.” (electcookforsheriff.com)

These statements highlight his commitment to ethical, well-trained, and community-focused policing.

Looking Ahead

Sheriff Cook’s current priorities include:

• Constructing a modern training campus for firearms, scenario-response, and driving exercises (communityimpact.com)

• Supporting expansion or replacement of the county jail to meet demand

• Maintaining community dialogue to balance enforcement with trust building

Final Thoughts

Sheriff Maurice C. Cook embodies veteran leadership, strategic foresight, and ongoing civic engagement. His tenure brings a wealth of institutional knowledge and an ambitious agenda aimed at enhancing Bastrop County's public safety infrastructure. From high-profile incident responses to classroom instruction, Cook's career underscores his influence on Texas law enforcement and his dedication to the citizens of Bastrop County.

Would you like help contacting the Sheriff’s Office or learning how to participate in community meetings related to his initiatives?