Drew McAngus Bio

Drew is a public-safety leader and compassionate advocate for individuals struggling with mental illness, substance use disorder, and homelessness. A founding member of the Free Up Foundation team, he brings more than five decades of service across military, law enforcement, mental health innovation, and community outreach.

Drew began his career in the U.S. Navy before joining the Travis County Sheriff’s Office in 1978. After earning his B.A. in Criminal Justice from St. Edward’s University, he rose quickly through the ranks, becoming a Sergeant in 1982 and Lieutenant in 1983. That same year, he made state history by launching the first Law Enforcement Mental Health Unit in Texas— a groundbreaking initiative to divert individuals with serious mental illness away from jail and into appropriate care. The program received the Outstanding County Project Award from the National Association of County Governments.

Throughout his career, Drew has blended law enforcement leadership with entrepreneurial initiative, launching multiple businesses and serving in roles ranging from Reserve Deputy Constable to elected Constable of Travis County, Precinct 3. In 2017, he developed the Constable Outreach Program, an innovative effort to engage and support unhoused individuals throughout Travis County. His decades of lifesaving intervention, de-escalation expertise, and community trust-building earned him a City of Austin Proclamation declaring December 12, 2024, “Drew McAngus Day.”

Promoted to Chief Deputy in 2025, Drew continues to shape more humane, effective approaches to homelessness and public safety. His extensive training—including FBI Quantico, LEMIT, and thousands of hours of mental-health coursework—has also made him a sought-after instructor for academies, universities, and community organizations.

Drew’s career reflects a simple conviction: every life is worth fighting for, and real change happens when compassion and accountability work hand-in-hand.