Go to the mobile version of this Web site.

Login | Contact Us | Site Map | Paid archives | Electronic edition | Subscription Questions | Extras

Home › News › Local News

Alcohol likely a factor in ex-sheriff's arrest, friends say

By April M. Washington, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published January 28, 2008 at 12:30 a.m.

Text size  
Russ Cook, 58, is accused of stalking his ex-girlfriend.

Russ Cook, 58, is accused of stalking his ex-girlfriend.

More Local News

More stories »

Former Jefferson County Sheriff Russ Cook swore to a close friend just weeks ago that he was winning his battle with alcoholism.

But last Monday, Cook was arrested and accused of stalking his ex-girlfriend.

"I've known Russ for years and he was supposedly doing well," said Jefferson County Commissioner Jim Congrove.

"But I guess when things got tough he went to the booze instead of using his common sense," he added.

According to an arrest affidavit, Cook, 58, repeatedly harassed Rhonda Reynolds, of Colorado Springs, after she ended the relationship on Dec. 26.

Following the breakup, Reynolds told police that Cook called her job 37 times and her cell phone six times, leaving nonthreatening messages.

Reynolds also said she received a phone call from one of Cook's close friends, John Bushman, who told her that Cook was "extremely distraught" over the breakup.

Bushman also stated that Cook would "never let her go," according to the affidavit filed with the El Paso County Court.

On Jan. 11, Reynolds obtained a permanent restraining order against Cook.

Cook is accused of violating the restraining order by continuing to send Reynolds e-mails, Colorado Springs police said. In one e-mail, Cook begged her "not to turn him in."

Cook was arrested at his home in south Jefferson County without incident.

"It's a sad, sad state of affairs," said Arapahoe County Sheriff Grayson Robinson.

Reynolds told police that she feared for her safety because Cook may have access to weapons.

She also said that he has abused prescription drugs and made suicidal threats, according to the affidavit filed by Detective James Vidmar of the El Paso County Sheriff's Office.

On Jan. 17, Cook contacted Golden Police Chief William Kilpatrick and told him "he was coming to my house to teach me a lesson," Reynolds told police.

Kilpatrick contacted the Colorado Springs Police Department. The following three days after the phone call, Reynolds did not stay in her home.

Cook was elected sheriff in November 2002 and took office in January 2003.

He resigned six months later after completing an alcohol treatment program, saying he didn't want to "embarrass" his staff.

Rep. Jim Kerr, R-Littleton, said it was troubling to watch Cook "fall under the bottle."

"He was a super nice guy," Kerr said. "It (the arrest) means he is still in a spiral. It's tragic."

washingtonam@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5086