Ed Gonzalez
Sheriff, Harris County
Lifelong Houstonian Sheriff Ed Gonzalez began his journey in public service at the Houston Police Department, first as a civilian, then a peace officer, homicide detective, hostage negotiator and sergeant. In 2020, he was elected to his second term as the 30th sheriff of Harris County, the most populous county in Texas.
During his first year in office, Sheriff Gonzalez led the agency through Hurricane Harvey, managing the 5,000-employee agency’s disaster response as well as personally assisting multiple water rescues. In 2020, he led efforts to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Harris County Jail, avoiding potential outbreak and protecting the nearly 9,000 inmates.
Sheriff Gonzalez has elevated discussions on mental health, substance abuse, homelessness and rehabilitation services. In his role, he has established a telehealth program for deputies, expanded critical intervention and de-escalation training for detention and peace officers, and advocated for mental health treatment. Sheriff Gonzalez has also expanded the agency’s homeless outreach team and crime reduction units, launched an anti-stalking unit, and championed veteran-focused programs. He is also committed to improving Harris County's road safety through the Sheriff’s Office Traffic Crimes Unit and other strategic traffic enforcement initiatives.
Prior to his appointment as sheriff, he served on the Houston City Council where he chaired the Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee and was appointed mayor pro-tempore. He is currently on the advisory Board of Trustees for the Council on Criminal Justice and he serves as vice chair of the Harris County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council.
Sheriff Gonzalez holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from the University of Houston-Downtown and a master's degree in liberal arts from the University of St. Thomas.