23-018 Sheriff’s Office Deputy Arrested for DUI; Employee Terminated Consistent With Sheriff’s Policy

Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office

Florida Highway Patrol

Christopher Cook (Arrested)
Age: 33
Date of Hire: 09/22/2014
Employment: Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Charge: One count of Driving Under the Influence with property damage or personal injury

PINELLAS COUNTY- A Trooper from the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) arrested a Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office deputy for Driving Under the Influence (DUI).

At approximately 9:36 p.m. on February 4, 2023, FHP responded to a traffic crash that occurred on I-275 near Fletcher Avenue in Tampa, where 33-year-old Christopher Cook side-swiped another vehicle.

According to FHP, Cook showed signs of impairment that included slurred speech, glossy eyes, strong odor of alcohol from his clothing and breath, and difficulty describing actions that led to the accident. Cook agreed to perform Field Sobriety Tests, but performed poorly on them.

Following the Field Sobriety Test, Cook was transported to the Orient Road Jail, where he refused a breathalyzer test.

Cook was charged with one count of Driving Under the Influence with property damage or personal injury.

There were no injuries as a result of the crash.

Cook was hired by the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office on September 22, 2014. He worked as a deputy in the Patrol Operations Bureau. His employment was immediately terminated following the arrest, which is consistent with Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office policy.

At the time of the release, a booking photo was not available.