Supporters of Russ Cook stepped up this week to offer words of encouragement after the 53-year-old Jeffco sheriff revealed his drinking problem.
While Cook seeks treatment and is away from his job for an undetermined amount of time, Jeffco Undersheriff Ted Mink will take over the county’s top law enforcement job, overseeing about 650 employees.
“He’s been a friend for a long time,” said Jeffco Assessor Kevin McCasky. “Obviously, my thoughts and prayers are with him. It’s a very debilitating disease and I pray that he gets through it.”
Mink said Cook showed no signs of having a drinking problem at work. Mink said the office was in great shape and he was confident about taking over for Cook in his absence.
Cook, who has been in law enforcement for 32 years, served as police chief in Golden for 14 years prior to being elected in November and taking over as sheriff in January. He replaced Sheriff John Stone.
“I know that acknowledging my medical problem in such a public fashion may be unusual,” Cook said in a statement that he read to the press June 9. “However, you all know that being open and honest with people is not just consistent with my style, but with my most deeply held beliefs.”
Golden Police Chief Bill Kilpatrick, who took over when Cook left to run for sheriff, said, “I give him a great deal of credit for demonstrating the courage to deal with the problem. It’s not easy for somebody who has a drinking problem to face up to that issue. I’m sorry to hear about it but I think he has the ability to be successful and come out of this in a positive way.”
Golden City Manager Mike Bestor also praised his former co-worker.
“I’m sad that he has the problem, but I’m very proud of him that he’s stepping up and admitting and dealing with it,” Bestor said. “If he can go lick this thing, I think he can come across as a hero and inspiration to thousands and millions of other people out there who have the same problem.”
Cook is married and has
two sons.
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Sabrina Henderson and Steven Graham contributed to this story.