OTTO HANAK TO RETIRE AS WASHINGTON CO. SHERIFF AT END OF TERM
Washington County Sheriff Otto Hanak will not seek re-election next year.
Sheriff Hanak announced in a press release this (Monday) morning that he will retire when his third term in office concludes at the end of 2024, bringing a 45-year career in law enforcement to a close. Hanak has served the last 26 years in Washington County as a Texas Ranger, District Attorney’s investigator, and since 2013 as the county’s 27th sheriff.
Hanak said he “cannot thank the citizens enough” for the trust placed in him to “help maintain law and order in our county” and for the support they have shown to him and his staff. He said he will “truly miss the interaction with other law enforcement officers and you all as a community.”
Hanak continued by saying that as law enforcement sees continued changes, he believes it is time to hand over responsibilities to someone with a “focus on consistent law and order, unbiased dedication to our citizens and a relationship that fosters continued trust and support of our men and women that accept the calling to serve and protect.”
The primary election will be held on March 5, 2024.
Sheriff Hanak's full statement can be read below:
It is with both anticipation as well as a degree of sadness that I have decided to finalize my 45-year law enforcement career at the end of 2024, the last 26 years serving the citizens of Washington County first as a Texas Ranger then DA Investigator, and finally as your Sheriff for the past 3 terms.
I cannot thank the citizens enough for placing faith and trust in me to help maintain law and order in our county all these years. I have always appreciated the support the citizens of this county have given me and my staff, and I will truly miss the interaction with other law enforcement officers and you all as a community.
During my past three terms, our office has focused on being visible, approachable, enforcing the law, while using professionalism and common sense to conduct daily business. Though some of our state and country suffer from increasingly unlawful acts committed by a small percentage of the population, Washington county has maintained stable law and order and refused to allow criminals to take advantage of our hardworking, law abiding, and supportive citizens.
Law enforcement continues to change almost daily, and I feel led to hand over this enormous responsibility to someone that I pray has similar objectives that focus on consistent law and order, unbiased dedication to our citizens and a relationship that fosters continued trust and support of our men and women that accept the calling to serve and protect.
I ask for God’s blessings for the next Sheriff and the staff members who will serve our county proudly as well as His help to keep the office operational, professional, and holding to the high standards that have been maintained these past 12 years.
I pray that I am blessed in my retirement with good health, the priceless gift of time with my wife, children, grandchildren, and the friendships I treasure. Until the final day in my elected office, I will continue to steward this law enforcement agency with care, concern, and diligence to the citizens of Washington county, and thank you for your unwavering support and respect. I am blessed beyond measure.
Respectfully,
Sheriff Otto H. Hanak
Thank you for all your years of service to the county, Brenham and Texas. You were neighbor first and then became my friend shortly after we met. I moved out of your jurisdiction before you became Sheriff but have continued to follow your work via media and acquaintances. Your expertise will be missed by many. Good luck at your retirement and any future endeavors. Godspeed.
Butch Lorenz
DITTO 0N RS’s COMMENT!
I hope the next one has the backbone of Hanak!
Thank You Sir!
One heck of a man to be placed in the lives of many, myself included. Such a great person in so many different fields, great sheriff, great role model, great mentor, great friend, overall… an AMAZING father. Thank you for your service, in all areas. Happy retirement! God bless you. I’m more than happy to be your son.
Come on man fourth term is a charm! Congratulations on a job well done Sheriff. We need you more than ever but I understand the decision to retire. Hard to soar like a eagle with prairie chickens in the control tower. I hope the voters have had enough of the flub five.
First– Congrats on retirement from one awesome career!! You will be missed. Second– This is sad news for Washington county. I look forward to seeing who the possible replacement candidates are come election time. The shoes left to fill will have to be by someone with one heck of a big foot!
Thanks for your service over these years Otto. I suspect you will continue to serve others, as God calls us to, in many other ways…the kind of guy you are. Wishing you all the best.
Great Job Sheriff! Been an honor to be your IT Guy, LE Gun Range Operator, Drone Pilot, Political Consultant, and Buddy over the past 20 years. Enjoy your earned peace now. Thank You Otto.
Thank you, Sheriff Hanak, for your service to our county. May God Bless you with good health & much happiness in your retirement!
This county will never have a man with the experience Sheriff Hanak has. I’m sure part of his decision to retire is greatly to blame on our great county commissioners. He has had a constant battle we their pettiness !! Prime example he couldn’t keep deputies because of low pay, couldn’t get a generator, they would give him a 8 foot fence around the jail but not the 10 foot he requested and on and on. In his 45 years in law enforcement he has forgotten more in one day than what our county Judge and four commissioners have a clue about being a Sheriff. Its sad they have made him come to this discission. When he is gone you better start locking your house and start to carry. I hope that the citizens of Washington County realize what we are losing and maybe when these so call leaders of this county are up for re-election you make changes because the next Sheriff I’m sure wont be as qualified.
Thank you Otto for protecting the citizens of Washington County over the years. You have done a great job and will be truly missed. I wish you the very best for retirement!
God bless you in your retirement, thank you Otto for your service to the community and even more your service to our Lord & Savior.
Candy Arth