Sheriff Russ Authier – Current Sheriff

Sheriff Authier began his law enforcement career in 1978 with the Taylor Lake Village Police Department as a reserve officer. A year later he hired on as a patrolman with the Nassau Bay Police Department. In 1982 the Sheriff was recruited by the Texas Department of Public Safety and after rigorous training earned the position of Texas State Trooper. In 1994 he tested for and was promoted to Sergeant in the Ranger Service and assigned to Ranger Company “B” and stationed in Parker, Palo Pinto, and Young Counties. Sheriff Authier served in that capacity until his retirement in 2008. Shortly after his retirement, Sheriff Authier was hired by then District Attorney Don Schnebly as a criminal investigator for the Parker County District Attorney’s Office. In 2009 Sheriff Larry Fowler appointed Authier to Chief Deputy of the Parker County Sheriff’s Office, where he served with distinction until his appointment to Sheriff. Sheriff Authier graduated from San Jacinto College in 1978 with an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice.

Sheriff Authier is the current Board President of the Freedom House and a former board member with the Children’s Advocacy Center of Parker County. Sheriff Authier is a member of the Texas Ranger Foundation, Former Texas Ranger Foundation, Texas Department of Public Safety Mutual Association, Homicide Investigators of Texas, Texas Sheriff’s Association, East Parker County chamber of Commerce, Weatherford Chamber of Commerce, Springtown Chamber of Commerce, and National Rifle Association.

Sheriff Authier has been married to his wife Linda for 38 years. They have two married children, Mandy and her husband Stephen and their son Simon, and Mike and his wife Lauren, and their daughters Brinlee and Kirby, all of Weatherford.