Mailing Address:
PO Box 939062
San Diego, CA 92193-9062

Phone:  (858) 974-2295

James Cooke
Assistant Sheriff

Assistant Sheriff Jim Cooke joined the San Diego Sheriff’s Department in 1980, and has worked in every operational bureau of the Sheriff’s Department.

As a deputy sheriff, Jim was assigned to Detentions Operations in the old Central Detention Facility, Law Enforcement Operations at the Ramona Substation and as a recruit training officer at the Sheriff’s Academy. 

In 1988, he was promoted to sergeant and again served at the Central Detention Facility before being assigned to help 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, coordinated the News Media Liaison, International Liaison, Labor Relations and Consul Corps functions of the department.  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, Jim was assigned as a supervisor at the Sheriff’s Homicide Unit.

In 1994, he was promoted to lieutenant and assigned to the Sheriff’s Communications Division where he served as a watch commander until 1998, at which time he was transferred to the Encinitas Sheriff’s Station which serves the contract cities of Encinitas, Solana Beach and Del Mar, as well as the unincorporated communities of Rancho Santa Fe, Fairbanks Ranch and San Onofre.  In 2000, he was transferred to the Special Enforcement Detail where he was assigned as the commanding officer of the department’s full time SWAT Team, Canine Unit, Bomb-Arson Unit and Crisis Negotiations Team. 

In 2002, Jim was promoted to sheriff’s captain and assigned to the Lemon Grove Station.  There he served as the “Chief of Police” to the incorporated city of Lemon Grove as well as the unincorporated communities of Spring Valley, Rancho San Diego, Jamul and Casa de Oro.  In November of 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 & Rescue, Law Enforcement Reserves, Bomb-Arson Unit and Emergency Planning Detail.

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

In August of 2006, Jim was appointed Assistant Sheriff of the Court Services Bureau where he remained until January of 2008, at which time he was assigned to oversee the Law Enforcement Services Bureau.

Jim has received the Sheriff’s Medal for Lifesaving, the Sheriff’s Certificate of Commendation, Letter of Commendation and two Meritorious Unit Citations. 

Jim 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 Cooke’s enjoy hiking, fishing, camping and sailing.