Ed earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from the University of Houston Downtown.

Ed previously served 18 years with the Houston Police Department, rising to the rank of sergeant. 

Ed Gonzalez is the sheriff of Harris County. He was elected in 2016 and is serving his 2nd term. He was previously elected to the Houston City Council in 2009, serving 3 terms and holding positions as vice mayor pro-tem and mayor pro-tem. 

Harris County Texas Sheriff's Office, About Me

Candidate website

Prioritizes addressing mental health through the Behavioral Health Division, a pre-book diversion desk, and expanded rehabilitation programs.

Believes in working daily to ensure the safety of Harris County seniors, families, and children.

Believes Sheriff Ed Gonzalez has improved public safety by reducing crime incidents, ensuring accountability in the Sheriff's office, and enhancing disaster response.

Prioritizes reducing crime incidents, ensuring accountability in the Sheriff's office, and enhancing disaster response.

As chair of the Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee, initiated measures to safeguard seniors from elder abuse, combat human trafficking, mitigate risks from stray animals, enhance safety for cyclists and pedestrians, and protect online buyers and sellers from predators.

As sheriff, directed hundreds of deputies to earn swift water rescue certification to aid in rescue operations during extreme weather events.

As sheriff, required body cameras for all uniformed deputies and detention officers.

Mandated body cameras for all uniformed deputies and detention officers.

As a state representative, Ed partnered with the hospital district to provide health care and mental health care to incarcerated people, securing nearly $100 million in resources.

Partnered with the hospital district to provide health care and mental health care to incarcerated people, securing nearly $100 million in resources.

- Prioritizes addressing mental health through the Behavioral Health Division, a pre-book diversion desk, and expanded rehabilitation programs.
- Believes in working daily to ensure the safety of Harris County seniors, families, and children.
- Prioritizes reducing crime incidents, ensuring accountability in the Sheriff's office, and enhancing disaster response.
- As chair of the Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee, initiated measures to safeguard seniors from elder abuse, combat human trafficking, mitigate risks from stray animals, enhance safety for cyclists and pedestrians, and protect online buyers and sellers from predators.
- As sheriff, directed hundreds of deputies to earn swift water rescue certification to aid in rescue operations during extreme weather events.
- Mandated body cameras for all uniformed deputies and detention officers.
- Partnered with the hospital district to provide health care and mental health care to incarcerated people, securing nearly $100 million in resources.

Public Safety

As of June 8, 2025, Ed Gonzalez’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Jail Management

Believes in advancing reforms to ensure "everyone is treated equally under the law."

- Believes in advancing reforms to ensure "everyone is treated equally under the law."

Criminal Justice

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Ed Gonzalez

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Ballotpedia, Mike Knox (Texas)

Mike is from Houston and attended Westbury High School. He holds an associate's degree from Houston Community College and a bachelor's degree in general studies from the University of Houston-Downtown. He is married to his wife, Helen, with whom he has 1 son, who passed away in 2020, and 2 grandchildren. He previously served as Spring Branch Management District's director of community service and as a former president of Yupon Estates Homeowners Association. 

Mike owns a consulting and training services organization, Cutting Edge Communications. He previously worked as a police officer nad investigator with the Houston Police Department (HPD). He also held positions as a Patrol Officer, Dispatcher, Juvenile Investigator, General Investigator, and Gang Investigator with the HPD. He served as a Sergeant with the US Air Force for 4 years. He is also a founding board member of The Texas Gang Investigators Association. 

Mike Knox previously served as a member of the Houston City Council. He was elected to this position in 2015 and served for 2 full terms. He also served as a director of the Houston Police Union and as chairperson of the Houston Police Union's Legislative Committee. 

COMMUNITY IMPACT, Q&A: Meet the candidates for Harris County sheriff

Believes public safety should be the top priority.

Believes transparency is important to build trust between law enforcement and the public, saying, "I will work closely with the faith-based communities and citizen action groups to develop a responsive, transparent communication model."

Plans to work with local, state, and federal leaders to maximize regional responses to crime.

Promises to "be the people’s voice for public safety at commissioners’ court."

Promises to protect the safety of Harris County residents.

Promises to "do his best" to protect the safety of County residents. 

- Holds public safety as his top priority.
- Believes transparency is important to build trust between law enforcement and the public, saying, "I will work closely with the faith-based communities and citizen action groups to develop a responsive, transparent communication model."
- Plans to work with local, state, and federal leaders to maximize regional responses to crime.
- Promises to "be the people’s voice for public safety at commissioners’ court."
- Promises to "do his best" to protect the safety of County residents. 

Said regarding the Harris County Jail from an article 1 year ago "Nothing has changed. The Jail is still in disarray, inmates and employees are still at risk.  Harris County desperately needs a new Sheriff. One with the vision and will to fix the jail!"

Supports ensuring safety for County jail staff.

Plans to make efforts to establish competitive pay and enhance continuing education standards and department promotions for county jail staff.

- Said regarding the Harris County Jail from an article 1 year ago "Nothing has changed. The Jail is still in disarray, inmates and employees are still at risk.  Harris County desperately needs a new Sheriff. One with the vision and will to fix the jail!"
- Supports ensuring safety for County jail staff.
- Plans to make efforts to establish competitive pay and enhance continuing education standards and department promotions for county jail staff.

Promises to make fair, reasoned, and fact-based decisions.

Promises his decisions will be "fair, and based in reason, logic, and fact."

Plans to focus on addressing human and drug trafficking.

As a police officer, created the Houston Police Department's first divisional gang unit.

As a police officer, created the Houston Police Department's first divisional gang unit in 1998. 

- Promises his decisions will be "fair, and based in reason, logic, and fact."
- Plans to focus on addressing human and drug trafficking.
- As a police officer, created the Houston Police Department's first divisional gang unit in 1998. 