Chief Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Deputy Craig Brady says he’s going to run for sheriff, once Milton Wright steps down at the end of his current term.
For his part, Sheriff Wright confirmed he won’t seek re-election when his term is finished in four years.
“I’ve been thinking about it for a number of years,” Brady said of the sheriff’s job. “But I was waiting for Milton not to run.”
He said he has never had any intentions of running against Wright, who named Brady his chief deputy 12 years ago when Wright first took office.
The announcement of Brady’s campaign plans was made during a breakfast hosted Thursday by Precinct 3 Commissioner Andy Meyers. Wright said he and Brady were sitting next to each other at the event when the announcement was made. Brady said he didn’t make any statements elaborating at the time.
Wright squelched rumors he said are circulating saying that he’ll resign so that Brady could be appointed to his post.
Brady will run “when I finish this term,” Wright said. “And you heard me say ‘finish this term.’”
Wright will have been sheriff for 16 when his last term is over, and has been in the Texas Rangers and other law enforcement covering more than 50 years. Brady has been in law enforcement for 28 years, the last 12 as chief deputy.
Brady said he wanted to get the message out that he intends to run, adding “I’m sure there will be several people running.”
He said he thinks the sheriff’s office “is running pretty well” currently, with a good rate of criminal offense clearance, a good job by patrol officers and a well-run jail.
He said it’s been helpful that county commissioners have agreed to increase pay at the office recently to bring it more in line with other departments, but still he would like to institute “a little more progressive style of recruiting.” He also said he would like to upgrade technology at the sheriff’s office.
As for Wright, he said being sheriff was more stressful in his first year in office than it is now.
“I ain’t married to this place, but I just love to come to work,” he added.
Hello. I am a deputy constable in Fort Bend County. I felt compelled to post because what I see and read about here disgusts me. I understand Constables are generally classified as “paper pushers” or “neighborhood patrol”. We are vital to the everyday operations of the county courts and sometimes assist local police as well as the Sheriff’s office on patrol related activities.
That being said, comments made by loyaldeputy on this forum or by other sworn law enforcement officers do not necessarily reflect the rest of Fort Bend County law enforcement. I am not sure why loyaldeputy has criticized constables so much but just remember sir by doing that you create unnecessary tension or strains between police agencies and among the men and women who patrol the streets. It is important to remember that we as law enforcement all need to work together not against each other regardless of who is elected in office as our leaders. Do you think the public has confidence in us if they are reading about all this negative stuff?
To the public or anyone reading this, I sincerely apologize on behalf of law enforcement because this negativity does not reflect the entire Fort Bend County law enforcement community. There are hard working men and women who are Police Officers, Sheriffs and Constables in Fort Bend County.
Chief does not have the support of all deputies. A man who will listen to the deputies and have their back will be on the ballot. That person has been there and has helped Wright keep his office. Brady”s antics have caused a chill to a good brotherhood. We need a leader who considers experience something earned and not something you can marry or be born into.
WOW…’loyaldeputy’ you seem to be a very angry and troubled person, possibly with anger management issues. I certainly hope you are not a patrol officer; but what I gather from your comments, you could not be on the street as much as you know of Mr. Brady’s whereabouts during the day; who knows, maybe you are Mr. Brady’s driver, press secretary, or campaign manager!
If are you neither of the above, what is it that you do at the Sheriff’s Department?
By the way, does he have a facebook?
Thank you Bob Dunn and you are right!
Thank you Mistie…..I could not have said it better myself. To attack an entire family because they do not like the Chief is sad, hitting below the belt, and totally uncalled for!
To USA…..I do not work in the pickett and no I do not follow to closely….but I do recognize when I see people; so does it bother you that I publicly noted that I observed the Chief in the jail…after some wrote a smart*** comment about him not being back there since Vanessa promoted? And one more thing USA; I work and I work hard, unlike you I am sure…..sitting around spreading rumors and gossip! That would be why I see people; I am not standing still running my mouth! As for kissing up to Brady…if that were the case smart one….my name would be on here, so he would know who is sucking up! Also as far as being Brady himself; as I stated before, if it were Brady-he would say it to your face or be happy to write it and be glad to sign his name; but apparently you do not know him that well-so quit running ur mouth about someone you do not even know!
WRT:32
Whomever it was, it was wrong to put me or other posters down. As for myself, I respectfully volunteer my own time to elect the real “winners” in this county by personally attributing my support to block-walking and mingling with the voters. It feels heartwarming just to see their faces, and to hear positive feedback, by the way — just the same I enjoyed the personal exchange that Mystie Brady sweetly provided. Thank you Mystie =-)
In regards to comment 23 kristofferson reference to Smokey and the Bandit. That is exactly how the S.O. will be run. Do you remember the way the movie protrayed the officers as keystone cops with a badge and gun. Your right, with Brady at the helm that is exactly how things would be run. And I agree that the Major has done a great job with the jail. He would be another person that would make a great Sheriff. I am also certain that many of us have seen a certain person work her butt off…you wouldn’t be a man if you did not notice. I just want to again say Brady is not our first pick to lead us. Others from within will run.
As the discussion has been getting somewhat heated and there are a lot of posters new to FortBendNow, I think it’s a good time to review the rules of conduct for posting here. Which should explain why a few of the posts in this thread already have been removed.
For readers unfamiliar with those rules, they are most easily described as being similar to the road sign that still graces some of our back roads: Drive Texas Friendly. Another way to put it might be, comment as if your mother is reading what you’re writing.
While it isn’t our intention to stifle lively discourse and discussion, we also believe each commenter is entitled to his or her opinion, and to polite respect.
Consequently, we ask that posters refrain from using profanity, name-calling or personal attacks. While discussion about one narrow topic may logically lead to a broader debate, posts that are clearly off-topic or may be construed as libelous will not be allowed. Also, readers are allowed to post under just one user account.
To start, I don’t know anything about the Leachs’ at the Sheriff’s Office, but I do know about the Bradys’. My name is Mystie Brady, and I am married to Houston Police Officer Jeremy Brady, nephew to Chief Deputy Craig Brady. I am blogging today to reinforce supporters of Chief Brady. Many citizens of Fort Bend County do not know who Chief Brady is, or where he comes from. So, I will start there. Chief Brady is the son of a DOCTOR, yes I did say DOCTOR, who has been in law enforcement for over 30 years. Literally, he was carrying bullets before he could legally buy them. Prior to being Chief Deputy, he worked his way through the ranks of patrolmen to a Criminal Investigation Division Lieutenant, and onto Chief Deputy. Throughout his tenure, Chief Deputy Brady also managed to obtain his Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from the University Of Houston, all while on the job and raising his family. As you can see, Chief Deputy Brady set the standards for excellence in law enforcement a long time ago, and subsequently his family followed. That is how that works people, it’s natural.
Now that you know that, I will go into the family Chief Deputy Brady has caught so much flak for employing in the past in GOSSIP COLUMNS of former Sheriff’s Office employees friends. Gosh even saying that seems like a bunch of he said, she said, you know what. Anyways, onto the family. I’m gonna start with Chief Brady’s brother, Brad Brady, a 20 year veteran officer FORMERLY employed with the Sheriff’s Office and now currently a Patrol Lieutenant at Richmond Police Department. Next, would be my husband Jeremy Brady, Chief Brady’s NEPHEW who yes went back and forth from the Sheriff’s office to Rosenberg to end up at Houston Police Department as TOP GUN and TOP GRADUATE of his class. What can I say, he’s making his own way, and if you ask anyone, just like his uncle and his father, he will someday be the boss, too. In addition, is his son, Rosenberg Officer Cullen Brady, also formerly employed with the Sheriff’s Office, who gossip columns constantly target and get confused with my husband. It makes you wonder what they really know, if they can’t even get this simple fact straight. Possibly similar to gossip they wag about Cullen, or my husband, or Cullen, I dunno, do they? Anyways, I do know my husband and Cullen, and since I told you about my husband, I’ll tell you about Cullen, Chief Brady’s son. Cullen Brady is a charismatic lovable guy who was born into a family of cops, i.e., born a cop. It’s just sad all the people who really know Cullen, know this, and others only hear the Days of Our Lives versions of people who wanted to know Cullen at the Sheriff’s Office. Cullen did not choose this way of life, it was chosen for him. From the time he sat in his father’s patrol car and turned on the red and blues and heard the whoo whoos, that was it, he was hooked. So for those of you who talk smack about Cullen, y’all should be ashamed because it’s undeniable, he has skills. Now for me, yes even I was employed off and on at the Sheriff’s Office similar to other employees such as: Micheal Hammonds, Nashelly Garza, and James Ressler who left and came back on good terms. I know you’re asking yourself if I held some special title, ah no, I was just a dispatcher for seven years, and now I’m almost finished with my Bachelors in Elementary Education. It was simple too, I just filled out another application, like Mr. Hammonds, Mrs. Garza, and Mr. Ressler twice. Oh yeah I had a high school diploma and no criminal history. You too can get a job, go fill out an application and be articulate. Oh by the way, I didn’t get hired in the first place because I was related to the Chief, I had prior dispatch experience.
To end, I can only say experience, knowledge, and leadership are what this county needs, and love him or hate him (if he had to fire you) Deputy Chief Craig Brady displays these qualities. So I say, give him a chance, and let him do his thing. I promise, you won’t be disappointed! Also, for all you haters that blogged, leave your name the next time. DON’T HATE US, CUZ YOU AIN’T US!
Great suggestion hammer; not sure we have enough rocks around here! And thanks dedicated deputy; glad to see some loyalty finally!
Hey Dawg,
In reference to your comment #15; no I am not the member of a click, I am not a Brady or Leach, but yes I do proudly work for the SO; not of any rank just loyal and hardworking! I have personally observed Vanessa Brady out on a scene working her butt off, and I have seen Kim Leach working very hard in the jail. That does not make me a member of a click, just someone stating the facts..and like you, I do not office with the Chief or Major, so I cannot speak as to what they do in their office, and unless you share an office with them…how do you know whether they work hard or not? Can you answer that? I will be waiting! Also, sounds to me like you are a current, hopefully ex-employee with some hang up! Maybe you should go work for the Star paper, PCT 4 Constables office who has the present constable in office only because our PCT. wanted the last one gone, or maybe you can try a Harris County Constables office where I am sure a wanna be Sheriff, did not quite measure up to Ranger standards ex-Ranger is employed! Your screen name Dawg seems to fit you and your negative attitude or maybe it’s a jealous because I am not a Brady or Leach attitude, not sure what it is attitude…but take the law off the dawg-we (LE) need to be represented in a good way! State some facts dawg to your statements…… u can’t can you! You a fence rider? Do you speak this way to the Chief or Sheriff….or do you hide cowardly behind others and smile when you come in contact with them or maybe you don’t come in contact because they ran you off-if they did, maybe u needed to be ran off! And Golden…whats the deal dude….read the code again, and again, and again until you get it!
Maybe someone should look into the daily activities of ‘loyaldeputy’, because if ‘loyaldeputy’ has that much time to know the whereabouts of Mr. Brady as consistantly as he reports, then maybe the taxpayers of Fort Bend County are wasting money for Mr. Brady to have a ‘minder’, someone who shadows anothers every move…
It sounds as though ‘loyaldeputy’ is either Mr. Brady himself or there will be a clean-up in the pickett if the Mr. Brady happens to stop walking abruptly, because ‘loyaldeputy’ would be as the Transportation Code would say: “Following Too Closely”……
Just a humble observation…
Good listen people wait up and smell the coffee we are being taken for a ride with all the corruption going on with all these Fort Bend County employees and any one contract with them.
It is time a change come to Fort Bend County and all this corrupt be stomp out. No one should be getting any type of bribes as this happen with $ 1,000.00 they get a salary as required by the law. Anything else is considered a bribe.
This should be an imediate indictment by the Fort Bend County Grand Jury and these elected offical got to be neutral and allow the law to take it course bit oh I remeber all the good ole boys cover each other.
Maybe the justice department in Washington D.C. can step in and up hold the law down here since our elected offical are all yellow
Amen 2cents! We are Sheriff Brady bound….loaded up and truckin, we are going to do what the disgruntled say can’t be done! We got along away to go, but it’s sure time to get there…we are election bound….watch ole Brady run!
Thank you Loyal Deputy! You are dead on. I agree with you 100%, tell me those officers names that have left because they did not like the S.O. Now, I can tell you that several hard working officers have left, and it was for one reason,….MONEY! Yes, they had been to the Sheriff’s Academy, trained for several years, recieved the best training money can buy, recieved the most valuable experience,….ah!,…this is what makes them so dang employable by outside agencies that offer the big money!
Oh, by the way,…….how many officers in the past years have left the local agencies and came to the S.O. to work for Sheriff Wright and Brady? let’see,…how about a bunch! Heck, Billy Frank Teague wanted a position from Sheriff Wright,…ummm?.
All this hoop la is just rumors and gossip on the political side just because Chief Brady is running for Sheriff. And, yes, Chief Brady is a hard working very, very intelligent Chief that is up to date on everything going on at the S.O. Once, again, it’s the same old story, avery, very few disgruntled people start rumors for the mere purpose of trying the hurt another. Seems like they would have something better to do with the time.
Iman,
I wish you would find out the facts, but it’s obvious you are not interested in the truth or facts, before engaging in your vengeful attacks. Chief Brady is speaking the facts, are you? If you are interested in the facts, which you are clearly not, you can check the reports conducted by the Texas Commission of Jail Standards and see the ratings for yourself.
The reports will reflect that Major Leach has and is doing a fine job as indicated by the jail inspectors.
Hey Iman,
You work in the jail? If not, do not speak as if you are so sure the Chief has not been in the jail! I see him frequently and unless you work master control 24-7, how would you know? Oh you don’t, your just being negative! I have seen the Chief in the jail many times since Vanessa has been promoted! And why bring Vanessa into this; she has bothered no one to my knowledge! I do not know here well, I crossed paths with her on a scene, and she appeared to be a hardworker, loyal and dedicated to the profession! She sure helped the victim in my case. As for the Chief, he has been seen all over the office, as a matter of fact, twice this past week he was seen in the jail, probably more-but I have not had a chance to check with everyone yet, but I will check and I will get back with you! I also saw him in patrol and CID. The important thing is that he is communicating with his leaders in each of these divisions; not that he himself is working or walking through each of them on a daily basis! When was the last time you were in the front office with suggestions to make our office better? When was the last time you made a reccomendation for the good of the department, which if you read you policy manual, you would know you can do? Your right about one thing….the Sheriff has appointed many, many good men and women into good positions to one day take over; Brady being one of them, and he my fellow officer….should and will be supported by many at our department! I myself would like to see all you fence riders get off the fence, hold your hats up and waive them, so we can see who you really are…instead you choose to sit cowardly on the fence and teeter back and forth! One day…you will fall off that fence….and when u do, it may be a hard fall! Stand up for who and what you believe in…..be proud; people will have more respect for you that way! Amen!
Dedicated Deputy
Loyaldeputy,
I believe that is a grand idea, I will also be contributing my $1,000 check to the Brady Campaign!!!
Dedicated Deputy
Vicious Dawg,
It is blatantly obvious that you have been terminated from the Sheriff’s Department and are one that has a problem with accepting accountability for your actions. If that is the case, I would love to see your personal file at the Sheriff’s Department and at your current employer.
Has anyone thought of who else from SO that will run and be a good Sheriff. Wright has appointed several good men to be able to one day step into his office. Look at the front page of the FB Hereld…they highlighted one. Brady says the jail is one of the best in the state…When is the last time that Brady has set foot in that jail since Vanessa has been promoted?
rather than responding directly to a particular comment, of those who obviously have a personal vendetta or ax to grind, I make the following suggestions: any concerned individual may request to view the information related to terminations and resignations of employees of not only the Sheriff’s Department but all public employers; review the hiring criteria for local agencies inclusive of background information; make your own determinations and do not rely on an anonymous disgruntle former employee, or one who is unable to pass a comprehensive background investigation.
If you have proof of your outlandish allegations then provide them are crawl back under your rock.
hey loyal if you work for the Sheriff’s office you will know what i am talking about. You apparently are in the little click. “anyone one you see from those two families works hard” thats funny, man you should stop now.
And Dawg, maybe you should find out why someone got tossed; rather than the fact they were just tossed! Maybe they needed to be! And whoever at our agency is going to run….hey run off your name and facts, not gossip and rumors! Quit knocking down your brothers and sisters, see the glass half full, not half empty! If you think a former ranger or a current little constable would make a better leader, I am scared of your definition of good leader! Who at our office thinks they are soooo mistreated, and our leadership is sooo bad they need to replace our leaders? Yeah, I know they are to scared to say RIGHT…..THEY MAY GET TOSSED; WHATEVER, funny I have worked their for years, I am really a nobody, and I do not see all the bad going on that some of you claim….I think it’s all political……ALL POLITICAL!
Hey dawg,
People leave because of the pay, not the regime as u refer to them! Why are u hating on the Brady’s and Leach’s? Anyone I see from those two families work hard…apparently ur not around to see it! And when u say COVERED….what does that mean, covered how? Trust me, I have seen plently of folks around the SO that should be gone;they are not kin to, nor are they friends with the Brady’s or Leach’s…so why don’t you fill us in if u know so much! Name the names of the good officers that are quitting and going over to other agencies..because of the regime; the ones I have see go, needed to go….a blessing! You talk big DAWG, name names…who can’t be trusted and why…u know so much, so let’s hear it buddy! Give me some factual examples; not rumors! And if you do not work for the SO, then how do u know factual information? Is the regime sharing with u? If u do work for the SO, sounds like u should leave if u do not trust our leaders! Who are in positions that should not be? U want to get on here and talk…let’s talk facts! And to 2Cents, no they will not talk to anyone’s face, they would rather hide behind other folks, start rumors, and destroy the morale of the good men and women from FBSO who serve Fort Bend County. How sad, and I am sure they think they should be our leaders!
The Sheriff’s Office has a very high turn over rate due to the current “regime” that is in power. Alot of good officers and deputies are quiting and going to other agencies because they can’t trust the people that are appointed to be their superiors. There are dual standards also, if your in the “good ol boys club” your covered i.e. if you tight with anybody with the last name of Leach or Brady your covered. If not you get tossed out on your back side to fend for yourself. The citizens of Fort Bend County deserve better than that.
Hey Loyal Deputy,
Do you really think any of the names you mentioned have the marbles to say anything to Sheriff Wrights face?
Everyone in Law Enforcement know them first hand and know they pack cat.
I saw BF cry before, tears and all,…………
No Brady !! We need a real Sheriff who cares for once. A sheriff that will take care of his deputies. Look at the turn over rate at the Sheriff’s office right now and tell everyone he is doing a good job. Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office needs to gain a good name back. Get rid of the crooks !!
Brady comes up “short” in his role as a deputy, as a man and for certain as a leader. Residents must know there are other good men who currently work at the office who want and will run for Sheriff.
Brady WILL BE a fine Sheriff; I think a lot of the people who received their check are going to donate it to his campaign fund…I know I am!
Tiger, great observations.
The last we thing we need is another Texas Ranger. Havent we all learned that Rangers have zero management experience and is just a glorified, outdated title? No “built in counstituency” for him either, except in his own mind.
Right about the 2 Constables though and the Ranger and Brady would not beat either one.
All you troy nehls, billy frank teague, and ex-ranger cook people quit writing about Sheriff Wright. If believe you are right say it to the Sheriff, face to face. You don’t know what you are talking about. The circumstanes will come out and you will look like idiots.
I just don’t see the Republican Party electing Brady out of a primary. “Milton Gave It To Me” is hardly a conservative campaign slogan.
Gary Gillen has already signed-on as a Brady supporter which is also the kiss of death.
Rumor has it, and this IS strictly rumor, that another Texas Ranger is going to run and a constable or two are considering it. Any of them could beat Brady in a primary because they already have a built-in constituency. Brady is wasting his money and his time.
If even one tenth of the things I read about Milton Wright are true, the man abuses the powers of his office. I think that LEO’s and their leaders should be held to a very high standard, and Milton Wright is not meeting much of any standard right now.
Concerned, agreed.
Brady has been a liability for him for a while and one of the main reasons for the low morale and high turnover.
Last thing the deputies need is Brady as sheriff. Vote for anyone else and we all know the rumors of others that are interested including some that are currently elected elsewhere….
Milton has had his critics over the years and he has probably made some mistakes but he is a good Sheriff.
I am not so sure that Craig brady can be as good a sheriff as Milton, in fact, there have been several instances that Milton has been criticized for the actions of Craig Brady.