NORTHAMPTON CO., Pa. – A Northampton County man is sharing his story, for the very first time, of abuse and survival.

Back in 2024, a man we only identified as C.C. spoke with us about the abuse he suffered off camera, just showing his hands and feet.

“It’s a lot to carry. I’m fortunate to be here,” said C.C. at that time.

But C.C. Stands for Chris Cook, and he says he’s not hiding anymore.

“I believe it’s important to be seen because I’m finally able to speak out. It took a long time to get here,” said Cook.

A long time, including a civil court case that felt like it would never end.

“It was a long road. We fought Warren County for 10 years,” said Cook.

At the end of those ten years was a court hearing, where Cook shared the details of the abuse he suffered at the hands of former Warren County Sheriff Edward Bullock. Bullock died back in 2015, but when Cook was just 14 years old, he was briefly living in a juvenile detention facility known as Warren Acres.

Bullock would transport Cook back and forth from Warren Acres to the courthouse, and sometimes, he said Bullock would take a detour.

“He took you down a dirt road, and it was a really isolated spot, and that’s where the abuse got worse,” said Cook.

Cook said the abuse continued until he was 16, and as he got older, he just tried to pretend it hadn’t happened.

“My wife had no idea. I wasn’t telling nobody. That was a secret I kept close to my chest, and I wasn’t going to share that with nobody,” said Cook.

He tried to cope with alcohol and drugs, and eventually, he tried to take his own life.

His first attempt was with pills, then he tried to shoot himself.

“I pulled the trigger, and all it did was click. It had misfired,” said Cook.

Finally, Cook said he tied a rope to a ceiling board and tried to hang himself.

“After the ladder kicked out, I fell. The board broke. I fall and hit the ground, and no sooner I did that, a friend of mine, which was a local police officer on duty, he walked in my garage, and I had the rope around my neck and everything, and he told me, he’s like, ‘you’re coming with me,’” said Cook.

After treatment and therapy, Cook said he got sober, and he was determined to get justice, not just for himself, but for all of Bullock’s victims.

“There was testimony in his case by certain experts, knowing Bullock, being involved with Bullock, estimates in the hundreds, which is sickening,” said Jeffrey Russo, Cook’s attorney.

Russo is currently representing several of Bullock’s victims. He said Cook almost refused to testify out of fear.

“Chris went from hiding in a fetal position under a bench in court, afraid to be exposed, overcome by shame, to now, as he said, feeling a sense of freedom,” said Russo.

Freedom to show his face and share his story.

“I could not be prouder, or more shocked, at his public presence now,” said Russo.

Cook has since moved from Phillipsburg, N.J. to Lower Mount Bethel Township in Northampton County, Pa., where he currently serves as a Township Supervisor. He said he plans to start a foundation to help other victims of abuse, and he has a message for anyone struggling with depression or trauma.

“You’re not alone, and it’s scary; it’s scary. Even to talk to somebody, it’s scary,” said Cook. “But it’s there. The hope’s there, man. Your story doesn’t have to end… Keep that story going. Keep the chapters rolling, man, because life is beautiful.”

If you or anyone you know is struggling with depression or suicidal thoughts, help is available 24/7. Just dial or text 9-8-8 for the Suicide Prevention Lifeline.