Charles S. Wagner, a hometown boy, was born and raised here in Freeport, where his father and mother ran Sid’s grocery store and Sid’s BBQ place. Wagner graduated from Brazosport High School in 1964 and attended Wharton Junior College, Brazosport College, and Texas Lutheran College. He graduated from the 141st session of the FBI’s National Academy, the National Sheriff’s Academy and the FBI’s Law Enforcement Executive Development Seminar. He holds a Master Peace Officer’s license from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officers’ Standards and Education.
Charles and his lovely wife Margaret Reaux Wagner, also a graduate of Brazosport High School, raised their four children: Jill Wagner Stewart, Jenni Wagner Thompson, Chad Wagner and Jerica Wagner may in the Brazosport area – they are all BISD graduates!
Wagner, with more than 48 years in law enforcement, began his career with the Freeport police department in 1967, serving as a patrol officer, then as a patrol sergeant, as a detective sergeant, a detective lieutenant and finally, as the chief of detectives. In 1985 Wagner became Chief Deputy under Sheriff Joe King and served Brazoria County in that capacity until being elected himself as Sheriff in 2004 and taking office January 1st, 2005.
Sheriff Wagner holds multiple law enforcement certificates including the police instructor’s certificate and a Master Peace Officer’s Certificate. Sheriff Charles Wagner has earned and been awarded numerous honors throughout the area and the state. In 2010, Wagner was named the sheriff’s association of Texas’ sheriff of the year; was named the Freeport league’s foremost Freeporter man of the year in 1989. Wagner earned the national society of the sons of the American Revolution law enforcement commendation medal in 2004, and was declared the veterans of foreign wars officer of the year in 2006. Sheriff Wagner has served as the secretary, treasurer, vice president, and president of the Brazoria County Peace Officers’ Association. He has also held positions in the Southeast Texas Police Chiefs’ Association and the Texas Chief Deputies’ Association. Wagner is a lifetime member of the Sheriff’s Association of Texas - serving on its legislative committee; he is a member of the FBI National Academy Associates, the FBI Leeds Association, the National Sheriff’s Association, the Texas Narcotic Officers’ Association and the Texas Jail Association.
Along with all of these commitments and his responsibilities as our sheriff, Charles Wagner is also actively involved with numerous local organizations. Sheriff Wagner is a member of the Brazoria County Fair Association, an Active parishioner at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Lake Jackson, a lifetime member of the Texas PTA, serves on Brazosport CAER, a team member of the Brazoria County Emergency Planning Committee, an important advocate on BISD’s drug council, and chairman of Brazosport College’s Law Enforcement Advisory Board. He serves on the Children’s Foundation of Brazoria County’s Board of Directors, is on the Advisory Board of Alvin Community College’s Criminal Justice Committee, and is a lifetime Member of the Brazoria County Cattlemen’s Association.
With all of his own achievements, what Sheriff Wagner is most proud of is the accomplishments of his children and his grandchildren.
Whether it be as our Brazoria County Sheriff or through his many good works and deeds in our community, Charles Wagner has made a positive and lasting difference in the lives of all of us.