About El Paso County Sheriff Terry Maketa

In 1987, Terry joined the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office. Terry’s career began as an entry-level deputy in the Detentions Bureau, where he worked all three major divisions. He became very knowledgeable of detention related issues. Promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 1993, Terry supervised up to 30 full-time employees. In 1994 he was selected as the Sheriff’s Office sole Internal Affairs Investigator. Since 1996, when promoted to Lieutenant, and soon after, Commander, he has held key management positions dealing with all operational aspects of law enforcement, administration and professional standards. Terry was overwhelmingly elected Sheriff of El Paso County in November of 2002 and re-elected Sheriff again in 2006. Sheriff Maketa is the twenty-seventh Sheriff of El Paso County and is the first Sheriff’s Office employee to work his way up through the ranks, and be elected Sheriff. He leads and is responsible for the operational issues involving a full-time work force of 632 employees and over 500 volunteers with an annual budget of $45 million. Sheriff Maketa instructs Leadership and Supervisory Development at a national and international level. He brings over 1,600 hours of specialized law enforcement training, including successful completion of the prestigious FBI National Academy in Quantico, VA., and the FBI National Executive Institute.

Continuing the Commitment to Excellence

Public Safety

  • Aggressively pursue violent and repeat offenders
  • Increase drug trafficking investigation and intervention
  • Protect citizens rights to the Concealed Carry Program
  • Continue to explore innovative ways to reduce recidivism & jail overcrowding

Professionalism

  • Recruit, hire, train and retain only the most qualified personnel
  • Continue to explore and improve the use of modern technology to better serve the community
  • Require strict adherence to the protection of citizen’s constitutional rights and Code of Ethics for all employees

Community

  • Increase community participation in volunteerism and preparedness
  • Enhance relationships among first responders, non government organizations and elected leaders
  • Develop partnerships with educators and parents to resolve youth issues

Qualifications

  • Sheriff of El Paso County
  • 22 years of progressive experience with the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office
  • Graduate of the 205th Session of the elite FBI National Academy (FBINA) Quantico, VA
  • Graduate of the 30th Session of the FBI National Executive Institute
  • Colorado State Certified Level 1 Peace Officer
  • Over 1600 hours of specialized Law Enforcement training
  • Graduate of the 176th Session of the Police Executive Development Course (POLEX)

Affiliations

  • Member - Federal Bureau of Investigations National Academy Associates (FBINAA)
  • Member - Federal Bureau of Investigations National Executive Institute Association
  • Member - County Sheriffs of Colorado (CSOC)
  • Member - International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP)
  • Member - National Sheriffs’ Association (NSA)
  • Member - Major County Sheriff’s Association (MCSA)
  • Member - Western States Sheriffs’ Association (WSSA)
  • Member - American Jail Association (AJA)
  • Charter Member - National Task Force on Local Community Preparedness and Response (NCORP)
  • Member - National Rifle Association (NRA)

Boards

  • Board Member Co-Chair-FBI CJIS
  • Board Member FBI Advisory Policy Board for CJIS
  • Penn State Criminal Justice Advisory Committee
  • Board Member - Pikes Peak Regional Communication Network (PPRCN)
  • Member of the Colorado Cold Case Task Force
  • Member of the Governor’s Immigration Task Force
  • Member of the Medical Marijuana Task Force
  • Board Member - Pikes Peak YMCA
  • Board Member - Justice Advisory Grant (JAG)
  • Board Member - Colorado Springs Fire Explorers
  • Past Board Member - El Paso/Teller County E-911 Authority
  • Past Board Member - Local Branch of Big Brothers/Big Sisters of America
  • Past Board Member - Homeward Pikes Peak
  • Past Board Member - Salvation Army

Awards Received

  • 2009 Leader of Innovation, Greater Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce
  • 2009 Vista Award, Public Relations Society of America, First ever recipient of this award.
  • 2009 Commendation of Service for Innovation and Dedication to Public Safety, The 67th Colorado General Assembly, State House of Representatives
  • 2007-2008 Cornelia Sabin Award, Outstanding Leadership of the Psychological Community, Psychological Society of the Pikes Peak Region
  • 2008 Medal of Partnership, The Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement
  • 2008 Letter of Appreciation from Governor Bill Ritter for participation on the Statewide Immigration Task Force
  • 2007 Letter of Appreciation, U.S. Attorney General Albert Gonzales, for participation in discussions with a Delegation from the Department of Justice concerning Initiatives surrounding Safer Communities
  • 2007 Triple Crown Award, the National Sheriff’s Association (NSA)
  • 2006 American Eagle Memorial Award for Outstanding Community Service
  • 2005 American Eagle Award for Outstanding Community Service
  • 2005 Distinguished Service Award, Association of Volunteer Administrators
  • 2005 Outstanding Leadership and Service Award, National Alliance for the Mentally Ill
  • 2004 Partner of the Year, Goodwill Industries
  • 2002 Distinguished Service Award, Military Order of the Purple Heart
  • 2001 Medal of Merit, El Paso County Sheriff’s Office
  • 1998 Sheriff’s Commendation, El Paso County Sheriff’s Office

Numerous letters of appreciation and commendation from a variety of community organizations and Law Enforcement agencies, Elected Officials and citizens.

Terry Maketa has lived in El Paso County since 1978. Terry and his wife, Vicki, have been married for over 24 years and have two children, Katie 23, and Brian 18. They enjoy camping, skiing, hunting, motocross racing, fishing, hiking, snowmobiling, and numerous other outdoor activities.