Election 2024 results: Hays County elects new sheriff [Video]

Hipolito will take over the position from Sheriff Gary Cutler, who is retiring after nearly 15 years.

Hipolito has 26 years of law enforcement experience, with 23 years serving at the Austin Police Department. He’s currently the Hays County Sheriff’s Office community outreach deputy.

Hipolito said one of his top priorities will be tackling the rapid growth Hays County is seeing and the potential crime it could bring. He said it starts with recruiting and retaining more staff.

“A huge priority for me is to come in and establish a culture of value. If we do that, it makes ourselves more marketable,” Hipolito said. “We, as a sheriff’s office, have to be proactive and create a recruiting unit to come out and go out and recruit the best of the best.”

Hipolito said he …