Sheriff Jorge Cruz
Address: 100 Iron St. Bessemer, MI 49911
Telephone: 906-667-0203
Website: https://www.gogebiccountymi.gov/government/county_offices/sheriff_s_office.php
Sheriff Cruz was born and raised in Ironwood, graduating from Luther L. Wright and then receiving an Associates degree in Criminal Justice from Gogebic Community College. In 2005 Sheriff Cruz graduated from the regional police academy at Northern Michigan University as a Michigan certified police officer.
Sheriff Cruz served as a part time Gogebic County Deputy under retired Sheriff Larry Sanders. In 2007 moved to fulltime deputy assigned to corrections / jail. Sheriff Cruz transitioned to a patrol deputy later on that same year.
In 2008 Sheriff Cruz was selected to serve on a newly formed Critical Incident Response Team (SWAT). In 2009 he began serving on the Gogebic Iron Area Narcotics Team (GIANT). Sheriff Cruz served as a lead investigator on many narcotics related crimes that have led to convictions at both the state & federal level. Sheriff Cruz was a part of the leadership team overseeing GIANT operations for over 8 years.
In 2012, then Sheriff Pete Matonich promoted Sheriff Cruz to Detective Sergeant and I was assigned to oversee all investigations at the Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Cruz served as Detective Sergeant for 10 years.
Sheriff Cruz was promoted to Undersheriff in 2022 by appointed Sheriff Ross Solberg. As Undersheriff he gained valuable experience in developing and managing budgets, both acquiring and coordinating grants, supervising all personnel and oversight of jail operations. Sheriff Cruz established and continues to maintain a good working relationship with community partners. Sheriff Cruz serves on the board of directors of DOVE, our local domestic and sexual violence shelter.
As sheriff I will remain dedicated and committed to serving the Office of Sheriff with trust and fairness. I pledge to keep our citizens safe by continuing to lead our department in proactive policing.
