The Jeff Davis County Sheriff’s Office is advertising a higher starting salary for entry-level deputies, offering $64,000 annually plus overtime opportunities as the county continues efforts to recruit law enforcement personnel in Far West Texas.
According to a hiring announcement posted this week by the sheriff’s office, the position also includes employee health insurance, retirement benefits through the Texas County and District Retirement System, overtime opportunities and a take-home vehicle program for deputies living within Jeff Davis County.
The department listed minimum requirements including being at least 21 years old, holding a high school diploma or GED, possessing a valid driver’s license and maintaining a Texas Commission on Law Enforcement license.
The hiring push comes as Jeff Davis County and its sheriff’s office continue facing heightened public scrutiny tied to disputes involving public access, journalism and county government conduct.
Earlier this year, Big Bend Times publisher David Flash filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against Jeff Davis County officials, including Sheriff Victor Lopez, alleging violations connected to his detention and removal from a commissioners court meeting in 2025. Disorderly conduct charges filed after the incident were later dropped, and the case was later documented by the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker as a press freedom incident involving law enforcement.
The sheriff’s office has also recently been in the regional spotlight following a multi-agency pursuit and officer-involved shooting near Valentine earlier this month. Authorities said the suspect allegedly invaded a home, stole a vehicle and led deputies on a high-speed chase before being fatally shot after reportedly firing at law enforcement officers. The Texas Rangers investigated the shooting, and officials have publicly indicated the responding officers acted appropriately during the incident.
Despite the controversies and increased attention, county officials continue emphasizing recruitment and staffing efforts for the rural sheriff’s office, which serves one of Texas’ most sparsely populated counties. The department encouraged interested applicants to contact county staff for additional information.
