Van Zandt County Sheriff's Office

05/30/2026

This week the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office held their annual fi****ms qualifications. We would like to thank Tactical and Defensive of Texas for allowing us to use their gun range!

05/26/2026

05/23/2026

From our family to yours!

05/22/2026

Click It or Ticket campaign in Van Zandt County and suronding cities. Bringing awareness of the importance of always wearing your seat belt.

05/19/2026

The Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office has partnered with the Texas Department of Transportation to participate in the Click it or Ticket campaign. Deputies start May 16, 2026, through June 2, 2026, reminding drivers and passengers to buckle up, day and night. If you choose not to "click it" (wear your seat belt), you risk getting a "ticket" (a traffic citation) and facing fines.

In Texas, seat belt laws are strictly enforced:

The Law: Every person in a vehicle must be buckled up. Drivers can be fined if passengers under 15 are unbuckled.
Child Safety: Children younger than 8 years old (or shorter than 4 feet 9 inches) must be secured in an approved child safety or booster seat.
Fines: Violations can result in fines ranging from ($50) up to ($250) plus court costs.

05/16/2026

Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office Arrests Suspect Following Standoff in Wills Point Area

VAN ZANDT COUNTY, TEXAS — On Friday, May 15, 2026, deputies with the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 600 block of Van Zandt County Road 3832 regarding a verbal disturbance in progress.

Upon arrival, deputies learned that 32-year-old John Cooper of Wills Point had fled the scene prior to law enforcement arrival. Deputies also confirmed Cooper had multiple active warrants issued earlier that morning by the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office, including Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Felon.

At approximately 4:43 p.m., deputies located Cooper at a travel trailer in the 100 block of Private Road 7039. Deputies attempted to make contact with Cooper inside the trailer; however, he refused to exit. Law enforcement personnel established a perimeter around the residence while Deputy/Negotiator Kevin Vernon initiated communication with Cooper in an effort to secure a peaceful surrender.

At approximately 6:53 p.m., Cooper ceased communication with Deputy Vernon, prompting deputies to obtain a search warrant for his extraction from the trailer.

After Sheriff Bridger authorized the deployment of CS gas, commonly known as tear gas, deputies deployed gas canisters through a window of the trailer at approximately 8:29 p.m. Deputies then made entry into the trailer and safely took Cooper into custody without further incident.

Following evaluation and clearance by EMS personnel, Cooper was transported to the Van Zandt County Detention Center, where he was booked on charges of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Felon.

Sheriff Bridger commended deputies for their determination and professionalism throughout the operation, noting their relentless efforts in locating and apprehending what was believed to be a dangerous individual who posed an active threat to the community.

Sheriff Bridger also expressed appreciation to the Wills Point Police Department and Officer Zachary Sherrin for their assistance during the incident, including the use of drone technology to provide continuous aerial observation of the scene.

05/06/2026

🚨Needing Assistance from the Public 🚨

The Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division is requesting the public’s assistance regarding an Aggravated Assault that occurred on Tuesday, May 5, between approximately 4:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. in the 8800 block of Farm-to-Market Road 279 in Edom.

According to reports, an elderly male resident of Edom was involved in a physical altercation and assaulted at that location by unidentified individuals who were driving a Red Ford Expedition.

Anyone who may have witnessed this incident or has information related to the case is urged to contact Investigator D. Henson at [email protected], Investigator C. Hanner at [email protected], or the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office at (903) 567-4133.

04/14/2026

Silver Alert
Tony Woodard
Has been located and safe

04/13/2026

🚨SILVER ALERT CANCELED🚨

🔕🔕🔕🔕 FOUND SAFE 🔕🔕🔕🔕