Samuel D. Cortez Jr

Correctional Captain
Custody Jail Operations

Samuel D. Cortez Jr

Correctional Captain
Custody Jail Operations

Captain Cortez joined the Sheriff’s Office on January 9, 2006, as a Correctional Officer and worked at the Jail Core and Honor Farm Facilities until 2011. In 2011, Cortez was promoted to Sergeant and worked Jail Core, Honor Farm, and South Jail Facilities.

Three years later in 2014, he was promoted to Lieutenant, overseeing the South Jail, Jail Core, and Transportation Unit. In 2015, he served as the Commander of the Custody Emergency Response team, and in 2016 he graduated from the National Jail Leadership Command Academy at Sam Houston University.

In 2018 Cortez became the Watch Commander and in 2020 was promoted to Captain. He served on the Custody Emergency Response Team for 13 years and currently oversees the Custody Jail Operations.

During his career, he has been awarded the Sheriff’s award, Jay Jones Award, and the Dighton Little Award.

Cortez also served our country in the United States Marine Corps from 1992 – 1997.