Sheriff's of Los Angeles County
George T. Burrill
James R. Barton
David W. Alexander
C. E. Hale
James R. Barton
Elijah Bettis
William C. Getman
James Thompson
Tomas A. Sanchez
James F. Burns
William R. Rowland
David W. Alexander
H. M. Mitchell
William R. Rowland
Alvan T. Currier
George E. Gard
James C. Kays
Martin G. Aguirre
Edward. D. Gibson
John C. Cline
John Burr
William A. Hammel
Will A. White
William A. Hammel
John C. Cline
William I. Traeger
Eugene W. Biscailuz
Peter J. Pitchess
Sherman Block
Lee Baca
James R. Barton
David W. Alexander
C. E. Hale
James R. Barton
Elijah Bettis
William C. Getman
James Thompson
Tomas A. Sanchez
James F. Burns
William R. Rowland
David W. Alexander
H. M. Mitchell
William R. Rowland
Alvan T. Currier
George E. Gard
James C. Kays
Martin G. Aguirre
Edward. D. Gibson
John C. Cline
John Burr
William A. Hammel
Will A. White
William A. Hammel
John C. Cline
William I. Traeger
Eugene W. Biscailuz
Peter J. Pitchess
Sherman Block
Lee Baca
| 1850 - 1851 1852 - 1855 1855 1856 1856 1857 1857 - 1858 1858 - 1859 1850 - 1867 1868 - 1871 1872 - 1875 1875 - 1877 1878 - 1879 1880 - 1882 1883 - 1884 1884 - 1886 1887 - 1888 1889 - 1890 1890 - 1892 1893 - 1894 1895 - 1898 1899 - 1902 1903 - 1906 1907 - 1914 1915 - 1921 1921 - 1932 1932 - 1958 1959 - 1982 1982 - 1998 1998 - present |
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Sheriff George Burrill was elected the first Sheriff of Los Angeles County in 1850. He wasborn
in 1810 in Rhode Island and arrived in California by way of Mexico.
In 1857, Sheriff James Barton became the first law enforcement officer to die in the performance of
his duties in Los Angeles County when trying to capture a gang of bandits.
In 1858, Sheriff William Getman had served only seven days in office when he was killed in the
performance of his duties.
Sheriff Tomas Sanchez (1860-1867) was the first native son to be elected Sheriff. He was born in Los
Angeles when it was still Mexico.
Sheriff William Rowland (1872-1875; 1880-1882), was the youngest man to serve as Los Angeles
County Sheriff at the age of 25. He was responsible for the capture of the bandit Tiburcio Vasquez.
He was also able to purchase badges for his deputies, , The cost, however, could not exceed one dollar
each according to the Board of Supervisors.
Sheriff George Gard (1885-1886) also served as Chief of the Los Angeles Police Department.
Sheriff John Cline (1893-1894; 1915-1921) was born in Australia
Sheriff William A. Hammel (1899-1902; 1907-1914) also served as Chief of the LAPD.
Under Sheriff Eugene Biscailuz, the LASD became the largest Sheriff’s Department in the world.
Sheriff held the record for longest consecutive service in the department, having become a deputy in
1907 and serving 51 years until his retirement in 1958.
In 1998, Sheriff Sherman Block died just days before voters were to decide upon his bid to be re-
elected to a fourth term as Sheriff of Los Angeles County. Block's supporters were not dismayed
and continued to campaign for the late Sheriff’s re-election. They hoped to deny a victory to Block’s
opponent, Lee Baca. An election victory for a deceased candidate would place the appointment of a
new Sheriff in the hands of the County Board of Supervisors. County Supervisors were not
supportive of Baca's candidacy. Baca was considered an outsider to the county political
establishment. Baca won the election, however, with more than 60 percent of the vote.
1998 - On December 7 Leroy D. Baca was sworn in as Los Angeles County’s 30th Sheriff. Sheriff
Baca commands the largest Sheriff’s Department in the world and supervises more than 13,000
sworn personnel and professional staff.
1999 - Creation of the Deputy Leadership Institute, Asian Crime Task Force, and Community
Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Bureau. Expanded the Vital Intervention and Directional
Alternatives (VIDA) program, the Town Sheriff program, and other mentoring programs. Opened
the Biscailuz Recovery Center and restored the San Dimas and Marina Del Rey Stations to full-
service status. Formed the LASD Charitable Committee, a year-long program to fund the first-ever
float in the Tournament of Roses Parade and to raise funds for the Department’s youth programs.
Scientific Services Bureau is now using the most advanced DNA testing procedure utilizing STR
(short tandem repeats) technology. STR technology enables personnel to conduct “cold searches”
from biological evidence collected at crime scenes to identify possible suspects.
2000 - After 44 years of being one of six contract cities being serviced from Lakewood Station, the
City of Cerritos became under autonomous command and began law enforcement services from
their new Cerritos Station. On September 17, the City of Compton began contracting services with
the Sheriff’s Department. The Community Transition Unit was established to provide inmates with
the tools and life-skills to successfully reintegrate into the community. Scientific Services Bureau
had three cold hits and zero case-to-case hit using CODIS (Combined DNA Indexing System).
2001 - A new Mobile Recruitment Center was put into service, allowing personnel to administer
entrance examinations for prospective deputy sheriffs at community events, college campuses, and
job fairs. Formalization of the Department’s 30-year strategic plan, known as LASD2. Establishment
of the Office of Independent Review, which oversees internal investigations and citizen complaints.
The security and law enforcement services for nine campuses of the Los Angeles Community
College District became part of the Sheriff’s Department and became the Community College
Bureau. Creation of the Hate Crimes Unit and In-Court Release Program. Scientific Services
Bureau had six cold hits and one case-to-case hits using CODIS.
2002 - Formation of the Office of Homeland Security, this Division will be responsible for the
coordinated strategy of preparedness for Los Angeles County’s first responders. The Sheriff’s
Communications Center was remodeled. Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department University (LASDU) was
created making educational opportunities available for Department personnel. Scientific Services
Bureau had nine cold hits and four case-to-case hits using CODIS.
2003 - The contract for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) was expanded to include
the entire transit system, making the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department the second largest
transit policing agency in the nation. Aero Bureau received shipment on seven new American
Eurocopter A-STAR helicopters to upgrade the Bureau’s aging fleet. Cargo Criminal Apprehension
Team (Cargo CATs) was resurrected by funding provided by the City of Los Angeles Port and the
Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. A new Emergency Services Detail rescue boat was
provided by special grant funding from the California State Department of Boating and Waterways,
and motors donated by Honda Motor Corporation. Five new search and rescue equipment trucks
were obtained with drug asset forfeiture funds. A new bomb detection canine “Simba” was gifted to
the Department by the Foundation to Combat Terrorism and Transnational Crime. Scientific
Services Bureau had 29 cold hits and 18 case-to-case hits using CODIS.
2004 - The Rowland Heights Service Center was opened to better serve the community. A new
neighborhood Sheriff’s Office was opened for business in the Athens area of unincorporated Los
Angeles. Compton Sheriff’s Station received a free refurbishment from the television show
“Monster House.” Scientific Services Bureau had 61 cold hits and 18 case-to-case hits using CODIS.
2005 - Construction began on the new state-of-the art Los Angeles Regional Crime Laboratory
which will be located on the California State University, Los Angeles campus. Scientific Services
Bureau to date has 24 cold hits and 10 case-to-case hits using CODIS.
in 1810 in Rhode Island and arrived in California by way of Mexico.
In 1857, Sheriff James Barton became the first law enforcement officer to die in the performance of
his duties in Los Angeles County when trying to capture a gang of bandits.
In 1858, Sheriff William Getman had served only seven days in office when he was killed in the
performance of his duties.
Sheriff Tomas Sanchez (1860-1867) was the first native son to be elected Sheriff. He was born in Los
Angeles when it was still Mexico.
Sheriff William Rowland (1872-1875; 1880-1882), was the youngest man to serve as Los Angeles
County Sheriff at the age of 25. He was responsible for the capture of the bandit Tiburcio Vasquez.
He was also able to purchase badges for his deputies, , The cost, however, could not exceed one dollar
each according to the Board of Supervisors.
Sheriff George Gard (1885-1886) also served as Chief of the Los Angeles Police Department.
Sheriff John Cline (1893-1894; 1915-1921) was born in Australia
Sheriff William A. Hammel (1899-1902; 1907-1914) also served as Chief of the LAPD.
Under Sheriff Eugene Biscailuz, the LASD became the largest Sheriff’s Department in the world.
Sheriff held the record for longest consecutive service in the department, having become a deputy in
1907 and serving 51 years until his retirement in 1958.
In 1998, Sheriff Sherman Block died just days before voters were to decide upon his bid to be re-
elected to a fourth term as Sheriff of Los Angeles County. Block's supporters were not dismayed
and continued to campaign for the late Sheriff’s re-election. They hoped to deny a victory to Block’s
opponent, Lee Baca. An election victory for a deceased candidate would place the appointment of a
new Sheriff in the hands of the County Board of Supervisors. County Supervisors were not
supportive of Baca's candidacy. Baca was considered an outsider to the county political
establishment. Baca won the election, however, with more than 60 percent of the vote.
1998 - On December 7 Leroy D. Baca was sworn in as Los Angeles County’s 30th Sheriff. Sheriff
Baca commands the largest Sheriff’s Department in the world and supervises more than 13,000
sworn personnel and professional staff.
1999 - Creation of the Deputy Leadership Institute, Asian Crime Task Force, and Community
Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Bureau. Expanded the Vital Intervention and Directional
Alternatives (VIDA) program, the Town Sheriff program, and other mentoring programs. Opened
the Biscailuz Recovery Center and restored the San Dimas and Marina Del Rey Stations to full-
service status. Formed the LASD Charitable Committee, a year-long program to fund the first-ever
float in the Tournament of Roses Parade and to raise funds for the Department’s youth programs.
Scientific Services Bureau is now using the most advanced DNA testing procedure utilizing STR
(short tandem repeats) technology. STR technology enables personnel to conduct “cold searches”
from biological evidence collected at crime scenes to identify possible suspects.
2000 - After 44 years of being one of six contract cities being serviced from Lakewood Station, the
City of Cerritos became under autonomous command and began law enforcement services from
their new Cerritos Station. On September 17, the City of Compton began contracting services with
the Sheriff’s Department. The Community Transition Unit was established to provide inmates with
the tools and life-skills to successfully reintegrate into the community. Scientific Services Bureau
had three cold hits and zero case-to-case hit using CODIS (Combined DNA Indexing System).
2001 - A new Mobile Recruitment Center was put into service, allowing personnel to administer
entrance examinations for prospective deputy sheriffs at community events, college campuses, and
job fairs. Formalization of the Department’s 30-year strategic plan, known as LASD2. Establishment
of the Office of Independent Review, which oversees internal investigations and citizen complaints.
The security and law enforcement services for nine campuses of the Los Angeles Community
College District became part of the Sheriff’s Department and became the Community College
Bureau. Creation of the Hate Crimes Unit and In-Court Release Program. Scientific Services
Bureau had six cold hits and one case-to-case hits using CODIS.
2002 - Formation of the Office of Homeland Security, this Division will be responsible for the
coordinated strategy of preparedness for Los Angeles County’s first responders. The Sheriff’s
Communications Center was remodeled. Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department University (LASDU) was
created making educational opportunities available for Department personnel. Scientific Services
Bureau had nine cold hits and four case-to-case hits using CODIS.
2003 - The contract for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) was expanded to include
the entire transit system, making the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department the second largest
transit policing agency in the nation. Aero Bureau received shipment on seven new American
Eurocopter A-STAR helicopters to upgrade the Bureau’s aging fleet. Cargo Criminal Apprehension
Team (Cargo CATs) was resurrected by funding provided by the City of Los Angeles Port and the
Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. A new Emergency Services Detail rescue boat was
provided by special grant funding from the California State Department of Boating and Waterways,
and motors donated by Honda Motor Corporation. Five new search and rescue equipment trucks
were obtained with drug asset forfeiture funds. A new bomb detection canine “Simba” was gifted to
the Department by the Foundation to Combat Terrorism and Transnational Crime. Scientific
Services Bureau had 29 cold hits and 18 case-to-case hits using CODIS.
2004 - The Rowland Heights Service Center was opened to better serve the community. A new
neighborhood Sheriff’s Office was opened for business in the Athens area of unincorporated Los
Angeles. Compton Sheriff’s Station received a free refurbishment from the television show
“Monster House.” Scientific Services Bureau had 61 cold hits and 18 case-to-case hits using CODIS.
2005 - Construction began on the new state-of-the art Los Angeles Regional Crime Laboratory
which will be located on the California State University, Los Angeles campus. Scientific Services
Bureau to date has 24 cold hits and 10 case-to-case hits using CODIS.