Martin Aguirre
In November 1888, Martin Aguirre, at age 31, was elected Sheriff of Los Angeles County.
Of all his duties as Sheriff, the one that Aguirre disliked the most was carrying out the
executions of persons convicted in his county. The only way to get out from under this
distasteful chore was to have the law changed. He petitioned the state legislature, and
with the support of the other county sheriffs of like mind, he was successful. A bill was
passed that changed the execution site to the state prisons. Ironically, ten years after
Aguirre worked so hard to change the law, he was appointed Warden of San Quentin
Prison. For reasons not clearly known he chose not to seek a second term. He left the
Sheriff's Office to pursue other interests, but would return in 1907, and for the next
twenty years serve as a deputy.
In November 1888, Martin Aguirre, at age 31, was elected Sheriff of Los Angeles County.
Of all his duties as Sheriff, the one that Aguirre disliked the most was carrying out the
executions of persons convicted in his county. The only way to get out from under this
distasteful chore was to have the law changed. He petitioned the state legislature, and
with the support of the other county sheriffs of like mind, he was successful. A bill was
passed that changed the execution site to the state prisons. Ironically, ten years after
Aguirre worked so hard to change the law, he was appointed Warden of San Quentin
Prison. For reasons not clearly known he chose not to seek a second term. He left the
Sheriff's Office to pursue other interests, but would return in 1907, and for the next
twenty years serve as a deputy.
Click on picture to enlarge. Signed document by Sheriff
Martin Aguirre, on the Sheriff's official letterhead, dated
June 13, 1889.
Martin Aguirre, on the Sheriff's official letterhead, dated
June 13, 1889.