Undersheriff Jim Cooke joined the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department in 1980.  In 2006, Cooke was appointed Assistant Sheriff of the Court Services Bureau.  In 2008, he was assigned to oversee the Law Enforcement Services Bureau, and in 2009, was appointed Undersheriff to Sheriff Bill Gore.  In this capacity, he oversees the day-to-day operations of the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department.

As Deputy Sheriff, Cooke was assigned to the old Central Detention Facility and Ramona Substation.  He also served as a recruit training officer at the Sheriff’s Academy. 

In 1988, he was promoted to Sergeant.  He was assigned to the Central Detention Facility before helping to develop a new men's detention facility in Santee.  In 1989, he was assigned to the Public Affairs Division where he served as a spokesman for Sheriff John Duffy, media and international liaison.  He was also responsible for labor relations and consul corps functions.  In 1991, he was assigned to supervise a team of investigators at the multi-jurisdictional Metropolitan Homicide Task Force.  When the task force was disbanded, he was assigned to supervise the department's Homicide Unit.

In 1994, Cooke was promoted to Lieutenant.  He was assigned to the Communications Division where he served as Watch Commander.  In 1998, he was transferred to the Encinitas Station. In 2000, he was transferred to the Special Enforcement Detail where he served as the commanding officer of the department’s full-time SWAT Team, Canine Unit, Bomb-Arson Unit, and Crisis Negotiation Team. 

In 2002, Cooke was promoted to Captain and assigned to the Lemon Grove Station.  In 2003, he was transferred to the Emergency Services Division where he oversaw the operations of the Sheriff’s Aviation Unit (ASTREA), SWAT Team, Canine Unit, Search and Rescue, Law Enforcement Reserves, Bomb-Arson Unit, and Emergency Planning Detail.

In 2004, Cooke was promoted to Commander and assigned to the Law Enforcement Services Bureau.  He oversaw the Lemon Grove, Santee, Imperial Beach and Alpine stations, Regional Crime Laboratory, Communications Division, Central Investigations Division, Special Investigations Division, Emergency Services Division and Property-Evidence Division.  He was instrumental in developing the collaborative partnership between the California Division of Forestry and Fire Protection and the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department for a fire/rescue helicopter program that is in place today.   

Cooke has received the Sheriff’s Medal for Lifesaving, Sheriff’s Certificate of Commendation, Sheriff's Letters of Commendation, and two Meritorious Unit Citations. 

Undersheriff Cooke and his wife Joyce are both second generation San Diego natives.  They have two adult daughters, a granddaughter and grandson, all of whom live in San Diego County.  In their spare time, the Cookes enjoy hiking, fishing, camping and sailing.