GOLDEN—Former Jefferson County Sheriff Russ Cook, who resigned after battling alcoholism, was arrested Monday on a charge of allegedly stalking a Colorado Springs woman.
Cook, 58, is accused of violating a restraining order against him, Colorado Springs police said. Investigators said they determined that Cook had violated the restraining order when they visited his ex-girlfriend’s home last week.
Police issued a domestic violence arrest warrant Monday.
Cook was arrested at his home in south Jefferson County, department spokeswoman Jacki Kelley said.
She said Cook answered the door when deputies went to his home at about 1:30 p.m. and was taken into custody without incident.
Cook was being held at the Arapahoe County jail rather than Jefferson County because he was sheriff there. He will be transferred to the El Paso County Criminal Justice Center to hear the charges against him.
Cook was elected sheriff in November 2002 and took office in January 2003. He resigned six months later after completing an alcohol treatment program. He said at the time he didn’t want to “embarrass” his staff. A recall bid against him had also begun.
Cook’s yearly salary was $95,000. When he announced his resignation, county officials said he would receive $147,500 and two years of medical insurance as part of a severance agreement.
