Fort Bend County Sheriff

On November 5, 2024, the citizens of Fort Bend County re-elected Eric Fagan as the County's 45th Sheriff. Since taking office in January 2021, Sheriff Fagan has focused on strengthening public safety, modernizing the Sheriff's Office, investing in employees, and building meaningful partnerships throughout one of the nation's most diverse counties. Under his leadership, he assembled an experienced command staff with more than 200 years of combined law enforcement experience and fostered an organizational culture grounded in professionalism, accountability, equity, and service.

During his first term, the Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office achieved significant milestones in crime reduction, public safety, and organizational growth. Since 2021, the Sheriff's Office Grants Team has secured more than $25.7 million in grant funding—the largest amount in the agency's history—to purchase critical equipment and enhance public safety initiatives without placing an additional burden on taxpayers.

Working in partnership with the District Attorney's Office, County Attorney's Office, federal agencies, and local law enforcement partners, the Sheriff's Office expanded its efforts to combat violent crime, organized criminal activity, and human trafficking. These collaborative operations resulted in the dismantling of more than 30 human trafficking operations, the rescue of numerous victims, and the arrest of traffickers responsible for exploiting vulnerable individuals. Enhanced narcotics enforcement led to the seizure of more than one million illicit pills, multiple pill presses, fentanyl, methamphetamine, and other dangerous narcotics. The fentanyl confiscated by the Sheriff's Office Narcotics Unit alone was enough to potentially claim the lives of every resident of Missouri City, Rosenberg, and Richmond combined. Joint operations with the U.S. Marshals Service and other law enforcement partners also led to the arrest of numerous violent felony offenders and gang members while removing a significant number of illegal firearms from Fort Bend County streets.

Believing that public safety extends beyond enforcement alone, Sheriff Fagan has emphasized innovation, collaboration, and community engagement throughout his administration. He established several initiatives and strengthened existing programs designed to improve public safety and build public trust, including the Juvenile Justice Advisory Council, Police Reform Transition Team, Gang Task Force, Crime Reduction Unit, Citizen Review Panel, Human Trafficking Task Force, and the Fort Bend County Sheriff's Foundation, which supports employee wellness, community outreach, and agency initiatives through public-private partnerships.

His collaborative leadership has earned recognition beyond Fort Bend County. Sheriff Fagan was appointed to the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Executive Board, a federally supported program that coordinates multi-jurisdictional efforts to combat drug trafficking. In 2024, his peers elected him Chair of HIDTA, reflecting the confidence of law enforcement leaders across the region in his ability to lead cooperative public safety initiatives.
 
Sheriff Fagan has also made significant investments in the future of the Sheriff's Office by prioritizing employee development, recruitment, and retention. In 2023, construction began on the Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office Regional Training Facility, which includes the county's first dedicated firearms training center and will provide advanced training opportunities for current and future law enforcement professionals.

Recognizing that attracting and retaining exceptional public servants requires competitive compensation, Sheriff Fagan worked closely with Commissioners Court to improve employee salaries. When he assumed office in January 2021, entry-level base pay for Deputy Sheriffs and Detention Deputies was $22.84 per hour. Following salary increases approved by Commissioners Court in October 2024, entry-level pay increased to $32.94 per hour, representing a 44 percent increase. During the same period, entry-level pay for Civilian Detention Officers increased from
$18.02 to $24.18 per hour (34 percent), while Telecommunication Officers saw starting salaries increase from $18.09 to $24.09 per hour (33 percent). These investments have strengthened recruitment and retention efforts while recognizing the professionalism and dedication of the men and women who serve the citizens of Fort Bend County.

Today, the Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office employs more than 900 dedicated professionals and operates with an annual budget of approximately $114.8 million, providing comprehensive law enforcement services to one of the fastest growing and most diverse counties in Texas.

Sheriff Fagan earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, graduating first in his class, and a Master of Science in Juvenile Forensic Psychology, both from Prairie View A&M University. Throughout his career, he has remained committed to principled leadership, fairness, and public service.

Sheriff Fagan believes effective law enforcement is built on trust, integrity, and equal justice. As he often states, "The Sheriff's Office should stand for justice. My beliefs, education, and work experience taught me justice must be blind. Race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or political party affiliation should not factor into a sheriff's decisions or actions. I am here to serve and protect all residents of Fort Bend County."

Sheriff Fagan's administration has been defined by a commitment to strengthening public safety while building an organization that values professionalism, accountability, employee development, and meaningful partnerships with the community.
 

Entry Level Base Pay

Classification                                  Jan 21        Jan 25         Percentage Change

Deputy Sheriff/ Detention Deputy:     $22.84       $32.94                   44%

Detention Officer Civilian (DOC):       $18.02       $24.18                   34%

Telecommunications Officer (TCO):   $18.09       $24.09                   33%

Sheriff Fagan earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, where he graduated first in his class. He also earned a Master of Science in Juvenile Forensic Psychology, both degrees from Prairie View A&M University. Adept at establishing mutual trust, listening to everyone’s concerns, and helping others find common ground, Sheriff Fagan says, “The Sheriff’s Office should stand for justice. My beliefs, education, and work experience taught me justice must be blind. Race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or political party affiliation should not factor into a sheriff’s decisions or actions. I am here to serve and protect all residents of Fort Bend County.”

Karolyn Drisdale is the Executive Command Assistant to Sheriff Fagan. She may be reached by email at Karolyn.Drisdale@fortbendcountytx.gov