HOUSTON – As Black History Month continues, we shine a light on a man who has dedicated more than four decades to serving and protecting the community. Sgt. Rufus Yarborough joined the Harris County Sheriff’s Office in 1983, and today, he holds the title of the department’s longest-serving deputy.
At 68 years old, Sgt. Yarborough still reports to work every day with the same commitment he had when he first started. His journey began with a dream—and a car. At 25, he knew it was time for a change, a decision that would define his career and legacy.
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Inside the Harris County Criminal Justice Center, Sgt. Yarborough doesn’t just maintain order—he makes history.
“My day consists of coming to each court, checking on the bailiffs just to ensure that everything is running smoothly,” he said. “If there are any issues, the bailiffs or the judge will let me know.”
For 42 years, he has remained a steadfast presence in the sheriff’s office, leading with dedication and pride.
When asked about the significance of his tenure, Sgt. Yarborough shared his gratitude for the journey:
“It makes me proud because I never saw this coming, but it makes me proud to have been through all of this and still standing,” he explained. “I’ll be the first one to tell everybody I didn’t do this on my own—not by myself at all. I’ve met some good people along the way who helped me get where I am, and God is good… all the time. Amen.”
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Since 1986, Sgt. Yarborough has also been an active member of the Harris County Honor Guard, representing the department with pride and professionalism. His dedication has not gone unnoticed. In 2023, he was named the Harris County Sheriff’s Office Foundation Officer of the Year, an honor that took him by surprise.
“That was a thrill—they really pulled one over on me,” Sgt. Yarborough said. “They surprised me real good. That was an honor. I assumed that nobody noticed, but I discovered that if you just do the right thing and stay true to it, someone always notices.”
His commitment to the department even earned him some championship recognition—an Astros World Series ring from 2017.
After more than four decades of service, many wonder when Sgt. Yarborough will retire.
“It’s getting close,” he said. “They tell you that you will know when it’s time, and I say, ‘Yeah, yeah, yeah.’ Then one day, the thought crossed my mind, and I said, ‘Well, maybe it’s getting close.’ I don’t know how much longer it’s going to be, but as long as I’m healthy and able to do the job effectively, this is what I’m going to do.”
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When he’s not on duty, Sgt. Yarborough enjoys traveling and has plans to visit Italy and Australia.
Congratulations to Sgt. Rufus Yarborough on 42 years of dedicated service!