Sheriff Eric Fagan, joined by Fort Bend County Constables, held a media conference on September 3 at the Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office, 1840 Richmond Parkway, Richmond to address the importance of pay increases for county law enforcement. Additional attendees included the Fort Bend County Deputy Sheriff's Association and the Fort Bend County Sheriff's Foundation.

With surrounding agencies recently approving significant raises, Fagan said that Fort Bend County faces growing challenges in retaining skilled deputies and recruiting new ones. Sheriff Fagan said that he and other county leaders will stand together to urge action that ensures competitive pay and safeguards public safety.

“Fort Bend County law enforcement officers deserve competitive pay that reflects their service, protects our community and keeps our county strong,” said Fagan in a statement sent to media attendees following the event. Fagan said that the City of Houston just approved a 36.5% raise over five years, bring a new officer’s starting salary to $81,600 and that Harris County brought their deputies to that same pay level the next day. He added that Montgomery County unanimously approved annual raises for deputies that will bring new officers to nearly $71,000 by 2026.

“The message is clear: surrounding agencies are investing in their law enforcement officers,” Fagan said. Without competitive pay, Fagan said that Fort Bend County risks losing current officers while struggling to recruit new ones.

“I stand united with our Fort Bend County Deputy Sheriff’s Association and Constables from various precincts in urging Commissioner’s Court to approve pay increases for all county law enforcement. Competitive pay is not a want – it is a necessity.”

The specific funding amount requested by Sheriff Fagan during the news conference to address his stated needs was not disclosed, as he did not state an exact amount that he was seeking.

Other county officials disputed Fagan’s version of the situation.

Andy Meyers, Fort Bend County Commissioner for Precinct 3, said in a statement to the Katy Times and ABC13 that law enforcement officers in Fort Bend County have had recent raises.

“The safety and security of Fort Bend County residents is a top priority for me and members of Commissioners Court,” Meyers said. “Therefore I requested that a salary study of law enforcement officers be conducted last year, which led to over $10.2 million in raises in 2024-25, averaging 20% salary increases. This is in addition to consecutive cost-of-living adjustments that were made in 2022 and 2023. I've also consistently asked the County’s HR Department to work with the Sheriff and Constables to conduct annual salary reviews to ensure that salaries remain competitive.”

“Our law enforcement officers as well as taxpayers deserve a thoughtful and disciplined budgeting process that leads to sustainable, competitive compensation,” Meyers added.

In a video posted to Facebook, Fort Bend County Judge also disputed Fagan’s claim, made during the press conference, that officers had not had a raise in the 12 years prior to Fagan becoming sheriff. George said that he believed that officers had gotten raises in 2017, 2018 and 2019.

Fagan became sheriff of Fort Bend County on January 1, 2021, after being elected on November 3, 2020.

About the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office

The Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office was founded in 1837 and is the largest and most diverse law enforcement agency in Fort Bend County. The Sheriff’s Office has over 900 employees, including 615 sworn peace officers and 22 reserve volunteer deputies dedicated to protecting and serving nearly 900,000 Fort Bend County residents. Among the 10 fastest-growing counties in the nation, Fort Bend covers 885 square miles and includes 21 unincorporated communities.