Fort Bend County Sheriff Eric Fagan is urging county leaders to approve pay increases for law enforcement officers, citing the need to remain competitive with neighboring jurisdictions and ensure public safety in one of Texas’ fastest-growing counties.

In a statement delivered this week, Fagan noted that surrounding agencies have recently made significant investments in their officers. The City of Houston approved a 36.5% raise over five years, raising the starting salary for new officers to $81,600. Harris County deputies were subsequently brought to the same pay level. Montgomery County also approved a series of annual raises that will bring new deputies’ starting salaries close to $71,000 by 2026, with a 16-year deputy earning more than $123,000 by 2029.

Fagan emphasized that without competitive pay, Fort Bend County risks losing trained deputies to neighboring agencies while also facing challenges in recruiting new ones. He pointed out that the cost of turnover—including recruiting, training, and filling staffing gaps with overtime—ultimately places a greater strain on the county’s budget and workforce.

“Investing in our deputies now is both the right and most cost-effective path forward,” Fagan stated.

The sheriff highlighted that Fort Bend County continues to experience rapid population growth, rising calls for service, and a more complex public safety environment. He stressed that today’s deputies must manage advanced technologies, navigate complex legal requirements, and respond to increasingly sophisticated threats—demands that require compensation to keep pace.

Fagan said he stands alongside the Fort Bend County Deputy Sheriff’s Association and local constables in calling on Commissioners Court to approve pay raises for all county law enforcement.

“Competitive pay is not a want—it is a necessity,” Fagan said. “It is the only way to keep Fort Bend County safe and strong.”