Harris County's new Sheriff Adrian Garcia was elected last November 2008. As Sheriff, Garcia will head one of the oldest law enforcement agencies in the state, which was created in 1837. Garcia has 23 years of law enforcement experience and six years city government experience as a Houston City Councilman.

As a veteran police officer, Adrian Garcia puts his life on the line to protect our community. His dedication was recognized by former Houston Mayor Bob Lanier who appointed Adrian to the position of HPD's liaison to the Mayor's Anti-Gang Office. In 1999, Adrian was named Director of this anti-gang effort.

Aside from the vital work Garcia did as a Houston police officer, he was retained as a consultant for the U.S. State Department to evaluate law enforcement and policing programs in Central America. He has also repeatedly severed as a panelist on Harvard University's Criminal Justice Project.

Adrian Garcia served as Mayor Pro-Tempore under Bill White. While on Council, Garcia was a tireless advocate for the homeless and worked extensively on housing issues. Garcia served on committees, such as the Transportation, Infrastructure and Aviation Committee and the Budget and Fiscal Affairs Committee, which have given him administrative experience that will be relevant to his job as Sheriff.

The Harris County Sheriff's office serves over three million citizens of Harris County, Texas. Garcia is married and has a daughter.