Welcome to the Orange County Sheriff's Museum & Education Center

The Orange County Sheriff's Museum & Education Center preserves and shares the rich history of the Orange County Sheriff's Department, fosters an understanding of the role law enforcement has within the community, and promotes an educational environment for public safety and the community.

We invite you to browse the photos below, and hope you enjoy your visit to the past and present of the Orange County Sheriff's Department.

Left photo: Theophilus "Theo" Lacy, a farmer, stable operator, and former Santa Ana town treasurer, was Orange County's second (1891-95) and fourth (1899-1911) sheriff. Because the county was principally agricultural and sparsely populated, however, Lacy didn't have much to do other than chase vagrants, look into an (infrequent) fight or robbery, and oversee the simple jail. Theo Lacy died in June 1918, as one of the county's best-known citizens. Today, one of Orange County's modern jails is named after the Lacy family.

Right photo: There wasn't a lot of crime for the early sheriffs to probe, and thus the theft of one of those newfangled motorcycles might have been the highlight of Sheriff Charles E. Ruddock's week in April 1913. Additionally, "modern" communications with other law-enforcement agencies was via typewriter and the U.S. mail! The Orange County Sheriff's Museum and Educational Center is fortunate to own a scrapbook full of early Orange County and California wanted posters.

Left photo: A pre-fingerprint method of identification was the "mugshot" photograph. Every large police agency maintained a "Rogues Gallery" collection of mugshots showing every scoundrel who meandered through town, stirring up trouble. Here, Orange County's third sheriff, Joe C. Nichols (in moustache at left), is seen with his Rogues Gallery hinged-oak-cabinet display. The innovative Nichols, a former real-estate agent and Santa Ana marshal, served 1895-1899. Seated at right is Deputy Sheriff John Landell, a former Anaheim town constable. The man in the center is not identified.

Right photo: Nine-year-old Orange County got its first real jailhouse in 1897, a $31,000 (including land cost) turreted stone and brick structure on Spurgeon Square in downtown Santa Ana. Four years later, a magnificent stone courthouse was built next door, and stands even today. The Spurgeon Square Jail functioned well, had gas and electricity, and was fireproof and (was said to be) escape proof. Its most-famous inmate may have been actress Bebe Daniels (see below). The building, finally betraying many years of service, was demolished in 1924. It has been stated that the people in the (undated) photograph might be Lacy family members. The two men on the lower steps appear to be outfitted as cooks.

Photos above: Little is known of these two "Sunday outing" photographs, thought to have been taken on different occasions in the early 1900s at Orange County Park. The photo at left shows a group of pioneer residents, including one bearded gent at left wearing a six-point star—the first badge design of the Orange County Sheriff's Department. In the same photo, the man seated at far right, with legs crossed, distinctly resembles Theo Lacy, the county's first and third sheriff. In the photo at right, Sheriff Lacy is in the middle background, in front of the tree, holding the light-colored coffee pot.

Left photo: Squires commemorative display of the Tomato Springs shootout. An intense manhunt, ending with the first slaying of an Orange County Sheriff's Department lawman, occurred December 15-16, 1912, in the hill country east of today's Tustin. On December 15, two teen-age girls were accosted on a ranch near the hamlet of El Toro, and the perpetrator fled into the nearby dry gullies. At sunup the next day, Sheriff Charles E. Ruddock assembled a posse of some 150 men―including a unit of the state militia―and surrounded the suspect in an area known as Tomato Springs. The ensuing gunfire resulted in the deaths of Undersheriff Robert Squires and of the fleeing man. Three other searchers were wounded, and one, Al Prather, eventually died. To this day, identity of the shooter has never been determined, although he is thought to have been out-of-work drifter Joe Matlock, for Oregon. And despite the hundreds of flying bullets during the "Tomato Springs Shootout," Matlock's death is suspected by historians to have been a suicide.

Right photo: Current view of the Tomato Springs toll booth of the 241 Toll Road, near the battle site of the "Tomato Springs Shootout."

Left photo: Orange County's fifth sheriff, Charles E. Ruddock (1911-1915), is third from left, front row, with his staff in 1914. Ruddock, the former Fullerton town marshal, led the charge at the Tomato Springs Shootout of December 16, 1912, which took the life of his undersheriff, Robert Squires. (See elsewhere on this Web page.) Squires was the first Orange County Sheriff's Department lawman to be killed on duty. The woman in the front row left probably was a jail matron, but she has been discounted as being a member of the Lacy family. Several tentative identifications have been made: The man standing, upper left, could be "Merle Dean." The man fourth from left, standing, could be a "Boynton," while the man at far right, standing, might be "R. Hurd."

Right photo: This hat shop, location unknown, donated dutifully of its window display to advertise a diversity of political candidates, including Calvin E. Jackson, Orange County's sixth sheriff (1915-1923). Jackson moved to Orange County in 1889—the year the county was formed—and when he took office, he utilized his own automobile, as the Sheriff's Department didn't own one. During Jackson's eight years, newfangled motorized vehicles became a combination nuisance/convenience around the largely rural county.

Left photo: Until a standardized uniform was established in 1938, Orange County sheriff's officers generally wore civilian attire, with a tin or brass badge attached. The badge worn by each of these deputy sheriffs of the 1920s is a 3-inch "eagletop shield," several of which are today in the Department's badge collection. One of these deputies—we know not which—has been identified as "Bill Young."

Right photo: Orange County Sheriff Calvin E. Jackson and his administrative staff, unknown date (circa 1919-1923). From left, Jailer Theo "Budge" Lacy Jr., "guard" Jim Murray, sheriff's secretary Opal Davis, Sheriff Jackson, bailiff Joseph Fowler, Undersheriff John H. "Jack" Iman, bailiff J. M. Gunnett, and jail matron Mrs. Theo Lacy Jr. Budge Lacy, son of Theo Lacy, the county's first and third sheriff, was for many years the county jailer. Jack Iman has been credited—probably hastily—as the slayer of gunman Joe Matlock at the Tomato Springs Shootout of December 1912. Iman was indeed on the Tomato Springs posse, but the prevailing thought today is that Matlock committed suicide after killing Undersheriff Robert Squires.

In April 1921, the Orange County Jail entertained perhaps its most-famous "prisoner" ever. Silent film star Bebe Daniels, 20, was arrested by "county motorcycle officer" Vernon Myers for speeding in her Marmon automobile, traveling 72 miles per hour south of Santa Ana, on her way to San Juan Capistrano. She is shown in her jail cell with her booking number around her neck. CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS!!!

Left photo:  Prisoners walk to courthouse (circa 1920s).

Right photo: OCSD staff (circa 1929).

Left photo: Sheriff Sam Jernigan destroys contraband liquor during Prohibition, at the County's Fruit Street garage (circa 1932).

Right photo: J. Elliott, Joe Ryan, Sheriff Jernigan, and Undersheriff Ed McClellan destroy contraband liquor (circa 1923-1931).

Sheriff Sam Jernigan with deputy during Prohibition, left photo (circa 1923-1931), portrait, and firearm.

Left photo: Franklin sedan (circa 1928).

Right photo: Deputies unload contraband liquor from truck in front of Sheriff's Office (circa 1929-1931).

Left photo: Records at Sycamore Jail (circa 1929).

Right photo: Weapons at Sycamore Jail (circa 1929).

Left photo: Orange County Peace Officers Shooting Match (circa 1930s).

Right photo: Sycamore jail (circa 1931).

Left photo: Deputy in Hudson at farm (circa 1930s).

Right photo: Deputy writing jail count (circa 1931).

Left and middle photos: Confiscated gambling equipment (circa 1930-1939).

Right photo: Weapon check (circa 1930-1939).

Left photo: Left, Los Angeles County Sheriff Eugene Biscailuz visits Orange County Sheriff Logan Jackson (circa 1931-1939).

Right photo: Second from right, Sheriff Logan Jackson, with expert, District Attorney, and others, examining marijuana plant (July 22, 1932).

Left photo: First OCSD staff photo in uniform, new label (circa 1938).

Right photo: First Aero Squadron. Left to right: unknown, Jim Norton, Leonard Zerlaut, Norman Heffner, Johnny Martin, Jack Horn, Richard Willsie, Richard Haster, Hal Balmer (circa 1940s).

Left photo: Aero Squadron Aircraft, Johnny Martin and unknown (circa 1940s).

Right photo: Aero Squadron at Santa Ana Airport (after 1947).

Left photo: Sheriff James Musick and horse (circa 1947-1949).

Right photo: Sheriff Musick on horseback in parade (circa 1947-1949).

Left photo: Crime lab (circa 1948).

Middle photo: Right, Sheriff James Musick with bomb (circa 1950s).

Right photo: Forensic scientist with microscope (circa 1950s).

Left photo: Orange County Sheriff James Musick at desk (circa 1950s).

Right photo: Sheriff Musick and Captain Johnny Martin with two deputies mapping a mission (circa 1950s).

Left photo: Aero Squadron's Western States Sheriff Competition Team: Sheriff Musick, Captain Bob Simpson, Bill Wagner, Dick Whiteside, Bob Kelly, Dennis Jerry, Don Gladson (circa 1950s).

Right photo: OCSD Night Patrol (circa 1950s).

Left photo: OCSD staff in front of old court (circa 1950s).

Right photo: Sheriff Musick with Hudson Hornet patrol car (circa 1952).

Left photo: Investigation unit (circa 1950s).

Right photo: Sheriff James Musick with Explorers (circa 1950s).

Left photo: Orange County Communications van (circa 1950s).

Right photo: OCSD Control One (circa 1950s).

Left photo: Orange County Communications interagency teletype (circa 1950s).

Right photo: Sycamore Records Department (circa 1950s).

Left photo: Forensic scientist in crime lab (circa 1950s).

Right photo: Staff at Theo Lacy facility (circa 1950s).

Left photo: Records Department, Sycamore Jail (circa 1950s).

Right photo: Sheriff James Musick (center) with Actor (and Los Angeles County Deputy) Andy Devine (left) and unidentified friend ("Bob") (circa 1950s).

Left photo: Explorers testing radio (circa 1950s).

Right photo: Explorer with dispatcher (circa 1950s).

OCSD Bureau of Records & Identification. Left to right: Sgt. Robert Luxembourger, John W. Fowler, James A. Boyle, Donald Nutt, Richard Browning, Ralph R. Bradford, and Guy R. Walters (circa 1956).

Left photo: Sheriff James Musick and staff (circa 1955).

Right photo: Deputies with 1959 Plymouth detain suspects.

Left photo: Deputy with rifle and 1958 Ford patrol car.

Right photo: 1959 Plymouth Savoy black-and-white unit.

Left photo: Public relations (circa 1959-1960).

Right photo: OCSD Pistol Team. Upper left, Undersheriff Bob Sharp; upper right, Sgt. Swanson; lower right, Investigator Dick Browning (circa mid-1960s).

Left photo: Patrol deputies with kid and Pontiac Catalina (circa 1960).

Right photo: Aero Squadron Pistol Team: Lou Betschart, Gil Riddle, Captain Dick Newman, Dennis Jerry, unknown, Don Cleland (circa 1960s).

Left photo: Part of SWAT unit (circa 1969).

Right photo: Patrol Division communications station (circa 1960s).

Left photo: Search & Rescue planning (circa 1970).

Right photo: Mounted unit on early morning raid at San Juan Hot Springs (circa early 1970s).

Left photo: President Nixon visits Orange County (circa 1970s).

Right photo: President Ford (circa 1970s).

Left photo: Patrol car deputy (probably George Johnson, just before he made Sergeant) and Plymouth Fury at HQ (circa 1971).

Right photo: Off-road motor unit (circa 1973).

Left photo: Women's Jail (circa 1974).

Right photo: 1975 Dodge Monaco.

Left photo: 1976 Plymouth Fury.

Right photo: Dispatch (circa 1976).

For more information on the rich history of the Orange County Sheriff's Department, click on the link below:
http://blog.ocsd.org/post/2009/11/06/A-Short-History-of-the-Orange-County-Sheriffs-Department.aspx