Former sheriff is jailed in Springs case

A former sheriff of Jefferson County has been arrested for allegedly stalking his exgirlfriend, who lives in Colorado Springs, police said late Monday.

Russ Cook, 58, was arrested at his home in south Jefferson County on Monday afternoon on a warrant for stalking, authorities said.

Cook, who resigned as sheriff in 2003 after his battle with alcoholism, was being held at the Arapahoe County jail awaiting transfer to the El Paso County jail.

Colorado Springs police said officers went to the Colorado Springs home of Rhonda Reynolds on Friday and learned that Cook was allegedly stalking her, a violation of a restraining order against him.

A warrant was issued Monday morning for Cook’s arrest. He was taken into custody by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office without incident.

Cook is being held in Arapahoe County instead of Jefferson County because he was sheriff there. He resigned as sheriff six months after he took office in 2003 after participating in an alcohol treatment program.

Cook said he resigned because he didn’t want to “embarrass” his staff. A recall bid against him had also begun at the time.