During Child Abuse Prevention Month, we’re highlighting agencies whose dedication helps protect and advocate for children in Travis County, because every child deserves to feel safe. Among these essential partners is the Travis County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO).
Sheriff Sally Hernandez said protecting children is their most critical responsibility. Their deputies and detectives actively engage with families, investigate reports thoroughly, and work closely with the community to prevent abuse before it happens. “Witnessing the devastating cycle of abuse has deepened our commitment,” she said. “Protecting Travis County’s children is a responsibility we proudly carry every day because every child deserves to feel safe.”
Sheriff Hernandez stressed that child abuse often involves someone known to the child—not a stranger.
Children should never feel responsible for protecting their abuser—it’s always the adult’s responsibility to protect them. Sheriff Sally Hernandez , Travis County Sheriff's Office
Joshua Garrison described how TCSO collaborates daily with the Center for Child Protection by scheduling forensic interviews and managing comprehensive investigations from start to finish. Despite the challenges, he said, “Helping children find safety and justice makes the difficult aspects of our work worthwhile.”
We’re deeply grateful to TCSO for their unwavering dedication as part of our Child Protection Team. Thank you, TCSO, for your vital partnership in protecting children, because every child deserves to feel safe.
Because every child deserves a dedicated protector.
Sheriff Sally Hernandez
Insights from Sheriff Hernandez
Q: How does your agency collaborate with the Center for Child Protection?
A: We have six deputies assigned specifically to the Child Protection Team, along with two detectives and dedicated victim services personnel who collaborate closely with the Center.
Q: How would you describe your agency’s role in protecting children across Travis County?
A: Protecting children is our critical responsibility, and we take it incredibly seriously. Our deputies actively meet with children and families, and our detectives thoroughly investigate each reported case. Additionally, we have a community outreach team dedicated to education and prevention—visiting schools and community groups to help stop child abuse before it happens.
Q: This isn’t easy work—what motivates you and your team to continue?
A: I began my own journey in child abuse investigations back in April 1992, shortly after the Center first opened its doors. Witnessing the devastating cycle of abuse has only deepened my commitment—and the commitment of our entire team—to protect children. Our passion and dedication have grown stronger over the years. Protecting Travis County’s children is a burden we proudly carry every day.
Q: How does your team collaborate with the Center for Child Protection?
A: We have an extraordinary partnership here. Multiple agencies—including ours, the Center, and Dell Children’s Hospital—come together seamlessly for a common goal. It’s a highly effective collaboration, and we’re incredibly proud to be a part of it.
Q: What do you wish more people understood about child abuse?
A: It’s crucial for everyone to understand that, in most cases, the people harming children aren’t strangers. Often, they’re individuals known to the child. Another critical point is that children should never feel responsible for protecting their abuser. It’s the adults’ responsibility to protect children, never the other way around.
Get to Know Sheriff Hernandez
With over 40 years in law enforcement—more than 30 in Travis County—Sheriff Sally Hernandez has dedicated her career to protecting the community. She began as a night dispatcher in Llano, Texas, before moving to Austin, where she served as a Deputy, Investigator, and Chief of Investigations for the Travis County District Attorney’s Office.
Elected Sheriff in 2016, Sheriff Hernandez is one of only seven female sheriffs in Texas history, leading with a focus on justice and victim advocacy. She has built strong investigative teams and champions efforts to keep Travis County safe.
Her leadership has earned her multiple awards for advocacy and public service. Sheriff Hernandez and the Travis County Sheriff’s Office remain committed to protecting Austin’s children and ensuring justice for those who need it most.
Detective Joshua Garrison
Insights from Joshua Garrison
Q: How does your team work with the Center for Child Protection?
A: Our team collaborates closely with the Center for Child Protection almost daily, primarily by scheduling forensic interviews for child victims and coordinating investigations.
Q: What does your team do to protect children in the community?
A: Our team actively protects children from the very moment we receive a report—whether it’s an outcry of physical abuse, or another form of child abuse. We manage each case comprehensively, from initial investigation through to its conclusion with the prosecutor’s office.
Q: That doesn’t sound like easy work—what motivates you to continue?
A: While each case is uniquely challenging, the motivation comes from seeing positive outcomes and knowing we’ve achieved justice for child victims. The rewards of helping children find safety and justice make the difficult aspects of our work worthwhile.
Get to Know Detective Garrison
With more than 16 years in law enforcement, Det.Joshua Garrison is dedicated to protecting Austin’s most vulnerable. He began his career as a Police Dispatcher before becoming a sworn Officer in 2012. After serving in Alamo Heights, Det. Garrison relocated to Austin in 2016, where he now serves as a Child Abuse Detective with the Criminal Investigations Division of the Travis County Sheriff’s Office.
Det. Garrison investigates crimes against children, the elderly, and disabled individuals, bringing experience from the Family Violence, Property Crimes, and School Resource Officer Units.
Det. Garrison is committed to seeking justice for children and ensuring their voices are heard.
