Sheriff Greg Hamilton was sworn in on January 1, 2005, and is serving his third term as the Travis County Sheriff, which includes several neighboring communities to the City of Austin.
Greg Hamilton, was born and raised in Central Texas and received a degree in Criminal Justice from Southwest Texas State University (SWTSU). After working as a Corrections Officer II from 1983 to 1984 with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice he relocated to Austin, Texas to begin a career as a Senior Corrections Officer and Deputy Sheriff for the Travis County Sheriff?s Office (TCSO) from 1985 to 1994. In 1994, Greg Hamilton was appointed Chief of Enforcement at the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC). While serving at TABC Greg was elected to serve as President of the National Liquor Law Enforcement Association (NLLEA). Under his leadership TABC received the coveted Agency of the Year two years in a row and several initiatives were selected as the Most Innovative Programs. During his tenure at TABC he received the following awards Outstanding Public Service Award, Mothers Against Drunk Driving "Difference Maker Award" and the El Paso Boys and Girls mentor of the Year Award. He made his first run for public office in 2004 and was elected as the Sheriff of Travis County.
Greg Hamilton took office in January of 2005. On a daily basis, through Greg Hamilton's leadership and guidance TCSO reaches out to the entire community to become a part of preventing crime and keeping the community safe. TCSO continues to expand its standards for community policing and to maintain a professional corrections team which ensures an efficient and secure jail. One focus of Greg Hamilton's is promoting programs to inmates that can help them move toward success in the world of work and personal stability, which can be a challenge from the moment an individual is incarcerated in jail. Moreover, by joining with the National Crime Prevention Council in a one of a kind effort called "Building Bridges Brick By Brick" he has connected community, business, media, government and faith-based leaders together to work on issues important to the community, thus bringing positive change to Travis County. Sheriff Hamilton has received many awards to include the ICE Partnership for Public Safety Award, the Outstanding Service Award, The Pursuit of Excellence in Politics/Government Award, Community Service Award, Richard Hopkins Torch Award, FBI-LEEDA Trilogy Award and the Sheriff Association of Texas Bert Ford Award, just to name a few. He is the past President of Capital Area Law Enforcement Executive Association (CALLEA). He is the past President of FBI-Law Enforcement Executive Development Association (national organization) and the Central Texas Chapter of National Organization of Black Law Enforcement. He was recently appointed to the advisory board of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) and as a Commissioner for Criminal Justice Commission for Credible Leadership Development (CJC-CLD).
Sheriff Hamilton is a graduate of the Dale Carnegie Management Course, the Governor's Center for Management Development, Senior Management Development Program, Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs Governor's Executive Development Program, the National Sheriff's Institute, Texas FBI NAA Command College and the Law Enforcement Executive Seminar (LEEDS).
Greg Hamilton is married to Maize, whom he met when both were students at SWTSU. The family includes three adult children and four grandchildren. He is a member of Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Austin, Texas.
