Getting your player ready...
Russ Cook, the former Jefferson County Sheriff who resigned in 2003 after admitting to being an alcoholic, was found dead in his home this morning.
He was 59.
He left office in July 2003 after being pressured by other county officials. He served less than six months in the position.
Earlier that year, he had taken a leave of absence to enter a treatment center for his alcoholism. But after numerous complaints about his behavior were filed, officials forced him to resign.
A day after resigning, Cook said he was overcome with grief, sorrow and shock.
“I’ve thrown away my dream of being sheriff, and I don’t know what I’m going to do. I’m a normal guy who stumbled and kept stumbling. Now I have to make amends.”
