Leroy D. Baca
Sheriff, Los Angeles County

Los Angeles County Sheriff Leroy D. Baca was born in East Los Angeles on May 27, 1942.
He attended school in the area, graduating from Benjamin Franklin High School in 1960.
He worked a variety of jobs to support himself while attending East Los Angeles College,
and entered the United States Marine Corps Reserves in 1964.

Sheriff Baca began his public service career on August 23, 1965, when he was sworn into the
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department as a Deputy Sheriff Trainee. Sheriff Baca worked
through the early portion of his career in custody, recruitment, on patrol on the streets of
East Los Angeles, and as staff instructor at the Sheriff's Academy. He rose through the
ranks, and in 1981 was appointed to Captain by then Sheriff Peter Pitchess and selected to
command Norwalk Station.

Sheriff Baca was promoted to Commander by first-term Sheriff Sherman Block. Sheriff
Baca excelled as the Commander of numerous stations as well as Aero Bureau and Special
Enforcement Bureau. On January 21, 1992, Sheriff Sherman Block again promoted Sheriff
Baca, this time to the rank of Chief.

Believing strongly in education, Sheriff Baca continued his studies. In 1993 Sheriff Baca
graduated from the University of Southern California with a Doctorate of Public
Administration. He is a life member of the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi - USC Chapter.

As the Chief of Court Services Division, Sheriff Baca directed the strategy that led to the
merger of the Sheriff's Department with the Marshal's Department. The merger saved the
taxpayers of Los Angeles County 14 million dollars per year. For his efforts Sheriff Baca
received the Department's Distinguished Service award. On December 7, 1998, Sheriff Baca
was sworn in as Los Angeles County's 30th Sheriff, having been elected by the citizens of
Los Angeles County. Sheriff Baca commands the largest Sheriff's Department in the world
and supervises more than 13,000 sworn and civilian personnel.

Sheriff Baca strongly believes in the concept of mentoring. He has provided leadership,
management and direction to thousands of deputy sheriffs and police officers throughout
his career. He continues this tradition within the
Department and as an Adjunct Professor of Public
Administration at the University of La Verne.

Sheriff Baca serves the community in many different
ways. He serves on the Board of Directors for the
Optimist Youth Homes and Ranch, Puente Learning
Center, Buena Nueva Foundation, EMEK Hebrew
Academy, and Harriett Buhai Center for Family Law,
and serves on the Board of Governors of the USC
Alumni Association. He has been honored by
numerous nonprofit organizations and elected officials
for his outstanding service to the public.
   
Official Department Photo
Sheriff Lee Baca