Former Harris County Attorney Mike Driscoll passed away Feb. 19
Former Harris County Attorney Mike Driscoll Passed Away February 19
Longtime Harris County Attorney Mike Driscoll passed away in Houston early today.
Driscoll died peacefully in his sleep. He was 66 years old. A memorial service celebrating the life and legacy of Driscoll will be held at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, February 27, at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 5501 S. Main.
Driscoll served as Harris County Attorney from 1981 to 1996. Throughout his tenure, he brought to life and nurtured many innovative programs that, since they were created, have grown to signify those things for which the Office of Harris County Attorney is now known best. He transformed the office into a powerful legal and political force that today is seen as the champion for a better quality of life for Harris County residents. By making neighborhoods safer and healthier places for families and children, Driscoll set out to accomplish what is now the stock and trade of the Office of Harris County Attorney. Those accomplishments include:
fighting polluters for cleaner air and water,
creating a contract deputies program that allows for expanded law enforcement presence in neighborhoods,
enforcing deed restrictions to keep neighborhood cohesive,
establishing the largest civil legal unit in the State of Texas dedicated to the protection of families and children and
using civil courts order to force illegal drugs and street prostitution out of our neighborhoods.
Working through the Texas District and County Attorneys Association, Driscoll helped bring these programs to other counties. With the creation of permanent positions in his office dedicated to these programs, he gave the young lawyers who came to work with him a sense of purpose as well as an opportunity for a meaningful career serving the public interest.
Current County Attorney Vince Ryan served as Driscoll’s first assistant for many years. On Driscoll’s birthday on March 26, 2010, Ryan named the courtroom in the County Attorney’s office for Driscoll.
“Mike Driscoll set the bar for public service,” said Ryan. “His legacy is the integrity he brought to Harris County government.”
Michael H. Driscoll was born in Houston in 1946. He received both his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Houston. Driscoll was active in Democratic Party politics for years. He came by it naturally as a nephew of former Houston Mayor Neal Pickett and former U.S. Sen. Ralph Yarborough. Immediately after graduating from law school, Driscoll was elected Justice of the Peace, Precinct 8, Position 1, a post he held from 1973 until 1978.
He left the County Attorney’s office due to complications from Parkinson’s disease, cutting short his political career.
Driscoll served in leadership positions in many non-profits through the years.
