LaMonte Cooke honored with renaming of MACo County Professional Recognition Award

CAMBRIDGE — The County Professional Recognition Award of the Maryland Association of Counties will now be known as the LaMonte Cooke County Service Award, named for the longtime Chestertown resident who has nearly 50 years of “exceptional contributions to county government and public safety,” as well as his leadership and advocacy on behalf of MACo and Maryland’s counties.

The surprise announcement, which drew a standing ovation, was made during the organization’s annual winter conference Dec. 11 at the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Hotel in Cambridge.

Cooke has been director of Queen Anne’s County’s Department of Corrections and warden of the detention center for 37 years.

“LaMonte Cooke has set an incredible example of dedication, service and leadership. Renaming this award in his honor is a fitting tribute to a career that has had a profound impact on not only Queen Anne’s County but the entire state. His legacy will continue to inspire generations of county professionals,” said Queen Anne’s County Commission President Chris Corchiarino.

Originally from Philadelphia, Cooke moved to the Chestertown area in 1974.

The following year, he was hired as the Kent County Sheriff’s Office first Black deputy. 

Since 1987 he has been the warden of the Queen Anne’s County Detention Center.

A news release states, “His influence extends far beyond his county, with numerous leadership roles across organizations, boards, and committees. He has been a guiding force within MACo, serving on its legislative committee and the Maryland Correctional Administrators Association, among other roles. His frequent testimony at legislative hearings in Annapolis exemplifies his advocacy for county needs and priorities.”

Cooke has served as president of the Maryland Correctional Administrators Association and vice chairman of the Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commission. He also was a member of the Wor-Wic Community College Criminal Justice Program Advisory Committee and an adjunct instructor with the college’s Criminal Justice Academy.

Cooke’s extensive résumé includes a term as president of the Centreville Rotary Club, board member for Kent & Queen Anne’s Hospital (now University of Maryland Shore Medical Center at Chestertown) and 14 years on the Kent County Board of Education.

He also served as Queen Anne’s interim county administrator for a year in 1995.

In a statement, Cooke said he was humbled and grateful for this recognition.

“Serving Queen Anne’s County and advocating for Maryland’s counties has been the honor of my career. I hope this award inspires others to embrace public service with the same passion and commitment,” he said.

MACo Executive Director Michael Sanderson said Cooke embodies the spirit of MACo — public service, and specifically, local service to our communities.

“We admire his passion for public safety and his dedication to the people of Queen Anne’s County,” Sanderson said. “Most importantly, we wanted to recognize his inspirational career and his steadfast service to all the people of Maryland through his continued service as an advocate for county needs and priorities statewide.”

The MACo board’s decision to rename the award underscores recognition of extraordinary leadership and advocacy on behalf of county issues.

Sanderson said, “It felt most fitting to the MACo board that an award recognizing county professionals who have heard the call to step forward as extraordinary leaders and advocates for county issues be renamed in LaMonte’s honor.”

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The Maryland Association of Counties is a nonprofit and nonpartisan organization that serves Maryland county governments by communicating their needs and ideas to the Maryland General Assembly. Membership comprises county elected officials and representatives from Maryland’s 23 counties and Baltimore City.

MACo’s members determine association policy and positions on executive and legislative proposals through an elected board of directors and legislative committee.

More information and conference program updates are provided at mdcounties.org/MACoCon.