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. 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.