Placerville, CA (June 20, 2025) –
El Dorado County is renewing attention on the trailblazing career of Lulu Belle Cook, the county’s first female deputy sheriff, serving from 1912 until 1918.
Born in Bear Creek in 1887, Cook was the daughter of Gilbert Cook, elected sheriff in 1907 and serving until his untimely death in May 1912 A week later, at just 25 years old, Lulu was appointed deputy sheriff by Sheriff Charles Hand—marking one of the earliest instances of a woman entering law enforcement in California .
“I am Lulu Bell Cook … the first female appointed as deputy sheriff in El Dorado County,” Cook is quoted in a recent re‑enactment produced by Sierra Community Access Television .
During her years on duty, Deputy Cook:
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Served as matron of the county jail, caring for female inmates.
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Escorted women prisoners, including notable cases like Mary Weston of Indian Diggins, to San Quentin, which at the time housed both sexes
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Participated in interrogations, depositions, and occasionally arrested male suspects.
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Became widely known for her strong stance on juvenile discipline—famously warning that “stealing is stealing, whether it’s robbing a bank or pilfering my blackberries.”
After relinquishing her badge in 1918, Cook remained a vibrant community member. A dedicated suffragette, she actively campaigned for women’s voting rights and joined the Native Daughters of the Golden West for over 50 years .
Cook passed away on March 16, 1976, in Placerville at age 89, and was laid to rest alongside her father in Union Cemetery. Her gravesite remained unmarked until a recent installation of an interpretive sign, honoring her contributions.
In 1919, she was recognized nationwide as California’s oldest female deputy sheriff, a distinction that received broad press coverage.
Why It Matters Today
Lulu Cook’s tenure challenged gender norms in law enforcement long before women gained the right to vote. Her legacy provides inspiration as modern agencies in El Dorado work to diversify their roster.
Sheriff Jeff Leikauf, current head of the Sheriff’s Office, said in a recent statement:
“Deputy Cook’s courage and dedication set a foundation we still build upon—her work reminds us how far we’ve come and how much further we can go.”
From Past to Present
Her story has been brought to life by Sierra Community Access Television in Law and Order: Episode 9 – Badge, Broom and Justice, drawing modern audiences back to a time when the county was silently reshaped by her presence.
