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IN THE PUBLIC EYE
Sheriff seeks more jail space
Editor ’s note: The Courier periodically is running “In the Public Eye,” a series shining a spotlight on local elected leaders and community advocates.
BASTROP — Dec. 1 marked a milestone for Bastrop County Sheriff Maurice Cook as he celebrated 60 years of service within the law-enforcement community.
Now add anot her achievement for the veteran lawman — international bestselling author — and, he has no plans to slow down.
“Honestly, I’ve had a really good life,” said Cook, 81, a Republican who won his reelection bid Nov. 4 for sheriff. “Coming from a ninth-grade educa- tion in La Porte, Texas, and couldn’t rub two pennies together, I’ve accomplished a lot in life.”
For the past six decades, Cook has commit ted himsel f to serving his community, whether in the military, police work or earning a law degree.
In July, he turned the experiences of his wide-ranging and often dangerous career into a published memoir.
The success of “Unlikely Texas Ranger… You Be the Judge,” available on Amazon. com, has established him as an “international best-selling author,” he said, with orders coming in from across the globe.
The book is racking up good reviews and enjoys an overall 4.6-star rating out of five.
The true-crime volume explores capital-murder cases and highlights the notorious Huntsville Prison Siege, often referred to as the Carrasco incident, where inmate Federico Gomez-Carrasco in July 1974 held 13 people hostage for 11 days in the prison library.
While the book offers an insight into past high-profile cases, as well as a biography, Cook is also looking towards the future.
Beginning his third term in office this month, Cook looks to expand or add capacity to the Bastrop County Jail over the next four years.
“We have to build on what we have and since we’re such a fast-growing county, we need to make plans to replace the jail or add on to it,” he said.
Folks have commented on his energy, and some even say he doesn’t look 81, the sheriff added.
After undergoing knee surger y in late November, Cook said, “I feel good, l’m in good health and hope to live to 100.”
At the age of 17, Cook left high school to join the Air Force, where he served as an air police officer performing general duties in Bien Hoa, South Vietnam, in 1960.
Following his fouryear mi l itar y st int , Cook returned to Harris County and joined the Clute Police Department in 1964.
Cook worked as an officer for the Angleton Police Department from 1965 to 1966 before transferring to the Texas City Police Department in 1966.
He started his career as a Texas state trooper in 1967 and transitioned to an investigator with the Criminal Intelligence and Motor Vehicle Theft Division in Houston in 1971.
Three years later, Cook started a 23-year journey with the Texas Rangers, moving up from private in Harris and Nacogdoches counties to chief in Austin.
During this period, Cook pursued his education and obtained a Bachelor of Science degree from Sam Houston State University in 1975, followed by a Master of Arts degree from Stephen F. Austin State University.
Not content just to enforce the law, he wanted to practice it as well.
He earned a law degree from Texas Southern University in 2004 and established a general practice in 2005.
Cook first ran for Bastrop County sheriff in 2016, winning the GOP nomination and then tallying a victory with 16 votes over former Democratic opponent Matt Henderson in the general election.
“We need to make plans to replace the jail or add on to it.”
— Maurice Cook, Bastrop County sheriff
