Celebrating 175 years of Service: The Founding Decade (1850-1859)

In this week's segment of LASD History, it is inspiring to reflect on our humble beginnings in the 1850s. This was the decade when our Department was born-an era when Los Angeles was a wild frontier town and law enforcement meant bravery in the face of chaos. Despite overwhelming challenges, the courage and commitment of the first sheriffs and deputies laid the foundation for the tradition of public service we carry on today.

A Lawless Frontier: Los Angeles in 1850

 Los Angeles was a small, unruly pueblo of only a few thousand residents, yet it boasted perhaps the highest homicide rate in American history. In a single year (1850-1851), over 30 people were murdered out of a population of about 2,500​ - an astonishing level of violence that earned early Los Angeles a grim title of "murder capital" of the frontier. This figure didn't even include crimes against Native Americans, Black, Asian, or Mexican individuals, which often went unrecorded in that era​. Lawlessness was rampant: armed bandits, feuds, and vigilantism were part of daily life, and justice was usually swift and brutal. Vigilante mobs would sometimes act as "judge, jury, and executioner" on the spot - even overpowering sheriffs to seize prisoners and carry out hangings themselves​.  Perhaps this is why Wyatt Earp, United States Marshal, when giving testimony in an Eastern court, said that Tombstone was but a Sunday School by comparison.

Amid this chaos, county leaders realized that establishing law and order was paramount. In April 1850, Angelenos held their first elections, choosing George T. Burrill as the first Sheriff of Los Angeles County​. Sheriff Burrill - armed with a navy colt pistol, a lance, a musket, and an infantry sword - stood as a symbol of lawful authority in an untamed land. He led a tiny force (initially just one Sheriff and two deputies​) responsible for an enormous jurisdiction. Los Angeles County's boundaries were vast back then, encompassing areas that would later become San Bernardino, Riverside, Orange, and Kern Counties​. This meant Burrill and his men patrolled thousands of square miles of desert, mountain, and coastline with only horseback and grit to cover long distances​.

Establishing Law and Order: Early Challenges and Milestones (1850-1853)

From the outset, the Sheriff's Department had to build the basic institutions of justice from scratch. Sheriff Burrill enforced the law and doubled as the tax collector since revenue was needed to fund the young local government​. One of his first tasks was dealing with the county jail - or lack thereof. Los Angeles inherited a small adobe guardhouse from the U.S. Army to hold prisoners, but it proved inadequate. A makeshift one-room jail of wood and logs was built, where inmates were literally chained by the ankle or wrist to a heavy log in the center of the room​. When that wooden jail was accidentally destroyed by a fire, it was replaced by an adobe brick jail on a hill near today's downtown (above the old Lafayette Hotel)​. This rudimentary jail was primitive and overcrowded, yet it was a start. The Sheriff appointed Samuel Whiting as the first jailer, responsible for guarding, feeding, and caring for prisoners​.

 Despite these early efforts, jail security was often tested. Escape attempts were common and occurred often​. When escaping criminals were caught, locals so distrusted the flimsy jail that they convened a citizens' court on the spot - a makeshift jury convicted the outlaws and hanged them without returning them to Los Angeles​.  Recognizing these weaknesses, county officials (by then a Board of Supervisors) approved the construction of a new two-story brick jail in 1853​ at the rear of the Rocha House. This new jail housed city prisoners on the first floor and county prisoners on the second, representing one of the first infrastructure improvements of the Sheriff's Department​.  It was a sign that formal justice, not just mob violence, was taking root.

Meanwhile, the Sheriff's Department found creative ways to extend its reach across the sprawling county. In 1852, the Los Angeles City Council established the Los Angeles Rangers, an elite volunteer mounted posse of about 100 men, to assist the Sheriff in combating rampant banditry​. These Rangers - Identified by a ribbon - took orders from the Sheriff and Mayor, forming a precursor to today's Reserve Deputy program​. 

Their uniform was a brilliant red vicuña hat with a gold cord wound twice around the crown, the heavy tassels hanging to the shoulder. The crown was flat and the brim wide. A fitted blue bolero jacket with a little gold embroidery was worn over a red sash wound around the waist, the long ends flaring with every step. The pants were as tight as possible and still allowed one to sit a horse, with a gold bullion stripe down each side of the sky-blue legs. The holster of the ever-present pistol was of shiny black leather with silver trim.

The Sheriff also relied on local Township Constables, elected in outlying settlements, who worked under the Sheriff's direction to maintain law and order in their communities​. In those days, the borders between lawmen and citizens were fluid - any trustworthy townsperson might be deputized on the spot and handed an engraved badge to join a posse​. With no standard uniform (deputies dressed like everyone else), the badge was the only identifier of authority.

By the mid-1850s, the Department was gaining structure. Sheriffs at the time served one-year terms and were elected annually by the community​. After Sheriff Burrill's second term, James R. Barton became the second Sheriff in 1852​. Additionally, the first County Judge, Agustín Olvera, took the bench in 1852. Olvera was a Mexican Californio with limited English skills, so former Sheriff Burrill often served as his court interpreter, earning an extra $50 monthly for this duty​. These early milestones-from building jails to forming possessions and establishing courts-were crucial to taming a lawless land. They also showcased the flexibility and dedication of the Sheriff's Department in adapting to serve a diverse, bilingual community from the very start.

Trials by Fire: Notorious Cases and Law Enforcement Challenges (1854-1856)

Keeping the peace in 1850s Los Angeles often meant confronting extreme violence and sometimes standing up to angry mobs. One of the most dramatic tests of law enforcement came in 1855 with the case of David Brown. Brown, an American man, had been convicted of murder alongside Felipe Alvitre, a Californio (Hispanic) man; both were sentenced to hang​. When Brown received a last-minute legal reprieve but Alvitre did not, the community erupted in outrage at the perceived injustice​. On execution day in January 1855, Sheriff James Barton carried out Alvitre's court-ordered hanging as 2,000 restless spectators looked on​. The predominantly Hispanic crowd began chanting for Brown to be hanged as well, unwilling to see one man live if the other was to die​. In an extraordinary moment, Los Angeles Mayor Stephen C. Foster - who had promised to appease the mob - resigned his office on the spot so he could lead the citizens' posse in taking Brown from jail by force. The mob broke down the jail doors, dragged Brown to a nearby corral, and lynched him. In the aftermath, Mayor Foster was promptly re-elected by a landslide, and no one was held accountable for the vigilante execution​.

This case starkly illustrated early sheriffs' challenges: upholding the law even as public sentiment and frontier justice often collided. Sheriff Barton, frustrated that due process had been subverted, refused to seek another term as Sheriff after this incident​. (He instead ran for and won a seat on the County Board of Supervisors, continuing to serve his community in a new capacity​.)

In July 1856, tensions in Los Angeles escalated sharply following the fatal shooting of Antonio Ruis by Deputy Constable William Jenkins. Jenkins had attempted to enforce a legal order for a $50 debt by confiscating Ruis’s guitar, leading to a physical struggle during which Jenkins fired his derringer, mortally wounding Ruis. Despite Jenkins's attempts to save Ruis's life, the incident sparked outrage among the Mexican community, culminating in one of the largest funeral gatherings in the city's history and serving as a catalyst for widespread unrest.

Following Ruis's funeral, agitators incited a volatile crowd into forming a mob, led by Gabriel Ramonet, known as "Barba Rojo" (Red Beard). Their objective was to violently confront law enforcement, storm the jail, lynch city officials, and loot Los Angeles. Sheriff David W. Alexander swiftly organized an armed defense, deploying deputies and citizen patrols under City Marshal William "Billy" Getman. A confrontation erupted when the mob opened fire, severely wounding Marshal Getman, who bravely engaged the attackers head-on.

Sheriff Alexander’s decisive actions and the quick mobilization of deputies and citizen volunteers ultimately dispersed the mob and restored order. Although many arrests were made, Ramonet was controversially released due to an alibi, while Fernando Carriaga, another suspected leader, was held but eventually acquitted. Marshal Getman survived the ordeal after extensive medical treatment, underscoring both the dangers faced by early law enforcement officers and their critical role in preserving peace during times of extreme tension.

Courage and Sacrifice: Heroes of the 1850s

The late 1850s brought tragedy and heroism that would forever mark the Sheriff's Department's legacy. After James Barton returned to serve yet again as Sheriff, he faced one of the greatest threats of the decade: a band of ruthless bandits known as the Flores-Daniel Gang (led by Juan Flores and Pancho Daniel).

In January 1857, this gang raided the town of San Juan Capistrano, south of Los Angeles, murdering several people. Sheriff Barton quickly mustered a posse of five deputies and community members and rode out to track the killers. On January 23, 1857, Barton's small posse was ambushed in the hills by members of the gang. In the furious gunfight that erupted, Sheriff James R. Barton and three of his deputies (Charles Baker, Charles Daly, and William Little) were killed in the line of duty. Only two posse members survived, racing back to Los Angeles with the grievous news that the Sheriff and his men had fallen.

Sheriff Barton's death in action - the first Los Angeles County Sheriff to be killed on duty - sent shockwaves through the community. It also galvanized one of the largest manhunts in early California history: lawmen, U.S. Army troops, Native American trackers, and citizen posses fanned out across Southern California to hunt down Barton's killers.

What followed was a dramatic pursuit worthy of legend. Some of the gang members were captured or killed in shootouts over the ensuing weeks. 

On January 29th, Miguel Soto and several accomplices engaged in a gunfight with Cyrus Sanford. Soto, wounded in the thigh, concealed himself in a marsh, covering himself with mud and weeds. The pursuing posse set fire to the marsh, forcing Soto from hiding, and he was subsequently shot and killed.

Juan Flores, the reputed ringleader, was first captured by Andres Pico and his company of fifty Angels, who secured a number of gang members at the outset of their campaign. Flores and Pancho Daniel were tied and placed under guard, but by morning, they had vanished-slipping away with two horses into the chaos of another nearby posse. Flores was later recaptured at a spring near the Simi Pass, where he posed as a local hunting strays. His thin story and poor disguise didn’t fool the soldiers, who recognized him on the spot. Returned to Los Angeles, Flores became the focus of a public consumed by fury. On February 14, 1857, with Judge Scott presiding over a meeting of the Vigilance Committee on the steps of the Montgomery House, the people decided his fate. Before a crowd of thousands, Juan Flores-just 21 and already notorious-was hanged on Fort Moore Hill, the execution carried out without trial as the city watched in grim silence.

Despite the chaos, Sheriff Barton and his men's sacrifice was not in vain. By the time the posse's work was done, over 100 outlaws and accomplices had been captured or killed in connection with the Barton massacre and related crimes. Law enforcement, though hard-pressed, ultimately broke the back of the Flores-Daniel Gang. The remaining chief outlaw, Pancho Daniel, was caught the following year in Northern California.  Though even Pancho would fall victim to lynch mob justice while awaiting trial in L.A., the rule of law gradually began to overcome the rule of the mob.

Tragically, the very next year would claim yet another hero of the LASD.

 On the morning of January 7, 1858, Sheriff William C. Getman began his day like any other, enjoying a quiet breakfast at a French restaurant before walking to his office in the Bella Union. A respected veteran of the Mexican-American War and former City Marshal, Getman had only recently been elected Sheriff following the death of James Barton. His time in office would tragically be the shortest of any Los Angeles County Sheriff.

That morning, a breathless young boy burst into the office with urgent news: a known local menace named Reed, long warned to be dangerous while intoxicated, had barricaded himself inside the Monte Pio pawnshop on Calle de Los Negros. Armed to the teeth and shouting threats, Reed had terrified the pawnshop’s owner and assembled crowd. Getman and his deputy, Frank Baker, rushed to the scene. Upon arrival, Getman attempted to coax Reed out peacefully, but when he leaned into the barred door, Reed suddenly flung it open and fired. Getman was struck through the heart and died instantly.

 Reed retreated inside, unleashing a barrage of gunfire on the surrounding crowd. Deputy Baker returned fire and killed Reed in the doorway. Although his clothing was pierced by bullets, Baker survived with only a minor burn. Inside, Reed was found armed with two derringers, two revolvers, and a Bowie knife.

 The city was stunned. Getman, known for his integrity, courage, and cool judgment, had been deeply admired. On the day of his funeral, every business-even saloons-closed in mourning. The entire community turned out to accompany their fallen Sheriff to Campo Santo. Though his tenure was brief, Sheriff Getman’s fearless final act cemented his legacy among the bravest lawmen in Los Angeles County history.

 In less than a one-year span, Los Angeles County lost two sheriffs in the line of duty - Barton and Getman - profound sacrifices that underscored the perils those early guardians of the peace​ faced.

Building a Legacy: From 1850 to Today

By the end of the 1850s, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department had undergone a baptism by fire, emerging more structured and experienced. In the fall of 1859, voters elected Tomás A. Sánchez as the ninth Sheriff of Los Angeles County—making him the first California-born, Spanish-speaking Sheriff in the Department's history. A native of Los Angeles and heir to the Rancho Cienega o’ Paso de la Tijera, Sánchez was a figure of physical courage and political savvy who had previously distinguished himself during the manhunt for Juan Flores and Pancho Daniel following the murder of Sheriff Barton. His election marked a significant moment in bridging the divide between the Californio community and Anglo-American governance.

Though uneducated formally, Sánchez was widely respected for his sense of justice, bravery, and charisma. He would go on to serve eight consecutive one-year terms—longer than any of his predecessors—during some of the most turbulent years in the region's history. Under his leadership, the Sheriff's Department faced violent crime waves, frequent lynchings, and vigilante uprisings. In one telling improvement, Sánchez received approval in December 1859 to use inmate labor to construct a ten-foot fence around the county jail—not to keep prisoners in, but to keep vigilantes out. This move signaled his commitment to preserving lawful justice amid a culture where mob rule was often the norm.

Sheriff Sánchez's era also saw Los Angeles undergo sweeping economic and demographic change. The breakup of large ranchos due to drought, disease, taxes, and shifting markets mirrored Sánchez’s own trajectory—from wealthy landowner to a man who ultimately lost most of his estate. Yet throughout it all, Sánchez remained a central figure in public safety, navigating an era of instability with pragmatism, courage, and a deep-rooted sense of duty to his community.

With sturdier facilities and procedures, the Sheriff's Department signaled that the rule of law would not be hijacked by lynch mobs so easily in the future. The frontier justice era was now waning. Furthermore, by the late 1850s, new technology was arriving: deputies began to carry cap-and-ball revolvers as standard sidearms, and even small, handy derringer pistols became available as backup weapons​. These gave lawmen better tools to do their jobs safely and effectively, replacing the old single-shot muskets and shotguns. In many ways, 1859 was a turning point - a moment when the LASD had gained enough experience and local support to firmly establish itself as the central guarantor of public safety in Los Angeles County.

As we look back on the indelible stories of 1850-1859, it's clear that our Department's core values were forged in this crucible of adversity. Below are just a few of the enduring lessons and legacies from our first decade that still guide us today:

1. Courage and Sacrifice: Early sheriffs and deputies demonstrated extraordinary bravery, like all the brave LASD family members we have today. They rode toward danger - whether facing down bandit gangs or armed mobs - to protect their community. Heroes like Sheriff James Barton, who gave his life in the line of duty​, set a standard of selfless service that inspires every deputy who wears the badge today.  

2. Commitment to Justice: Our founding Department members stood for due process and equal justice under the law in an era of vigilantes. Sheriff Alexander risked his own safety to shield a suspect from lynching in 1856​, reflecting an enduring principle: we protect the rights of all, even the accused, to ensure true justice prevails. That commitment to the rule of law continues to define the LASD's mission.  

3. Community Partnership: From the beginning, the LASD relied on the community's help - the Los Angeles Rangers of 1852 were citizen volunteers who rode alongside deputies to chase outlaws​. Leaders like Andrés Pico stepped up to form a posse in times of crisis​. This spirit of collaboration lives on in our modern reserve deputy program and community outreach, where residents and law enforcement work hand-in-hand to keep our neighborhoods safe.  

4. Innovation and Adaptability: Faced with limited resources, our predecessors found creative solutions. They built new jails, fenced them for security​, acted as interpreters in court​, and devised new funding methods to support public safety​. This innovative mindset-embracing new tools, tactics, and ideas-is a hallmark of LASD as we continually adapt to serve the public better.

 5. A Blend of Cultures: The 1850s sheriffs' ranks reflected the diverse tapestry of Los Angeles. Our first deputies and sheriffs worked across cultural lines-whether Sheriff Burrill translated Spanish in court​ or Sheriff Tomas Sanchez, a California native, leading the Department​. That legacy reminds us our Department has always served a multicultural community.

In honoring the 175th anniversary of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, we celebrate these formative stories not just as history but as a living heritage. The grit and resolve shown by the sheriffs and deputies of the 1850s turned a lawless frontier into a safer community. Their watchwords - courage, justice, service - echo through the generations and remain at the heart of our identity. Today, with over 10,000 deputies serving a population of more than 10 million, the LASD still carries forward the mandate that Sheriff Burrill assumed in 1850: to be the guardians of public safety for all who call Los Angeles County home​.