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Ray Leyva

Passing of Retired Executive Officer Raymond Leyva 600 750 SIB Staff

Passing of Retired Executive Officer Raymond Leyva

The Office of the Sheriff is saddened to announce the passing of retired Executive Officer Raymond Leyva.  Mr. Leyva passed away on Wednesday, October 12, 2022. 

Ray Leyva began his career as a reserve officer with the Los Angeles Police Department in 1975, leaving the LAPD to work as a police officer for the Burbank Police Department in 1976, before transferring to the Sheriff’s Department in 1981.  He served as a Deputy Sheriff at Men’s Central Jail, Sybil Brand Institute for Women, and Firestone and Marina Del Rey stations before promoting to Sergeant in 1985.  As a Sergeant, he worked at multiple stations as well as Custody Division Headquarters.  Upon his promotion to Lieutenant in 1990, he was assigned to the Office of the Undersheriff, East Los Angeles Station, North County Correctional Facility, East Facility, Recruit Training Bureau, Custody Division Headquarters and Sheriff’s Headquarters Bureau.

In August of 1999, he was promoted to Captain of Court Services West Bureau.  In 2001, he was transferred to Sheriff’s Headquarters Bureau with responsibilities involving the Office of the Sheriff and all media interaction for the Department.  In 2003, he was placed in command of Men’s Central Jail and in 2004, was transferred to Pitchess Detention Center North Facility.  In March 2010, he was moved to the Pitchess Detention Center East Facility.

In 2012, Mr. Leyva was promoted to the position of Commander and assigned to Field Operations Region I, where he supervised patrol stations located in northern Los Angeles County.  In 2013, the Department reorganized and he was reassigned to North Patrol Division.  His responsibilities included managing the budget and personnel needs of the Division along with other administrative duties.

In 2016, he retired from the Department as a Commander after 35 years of service.  In 2018, he accepted an offer to return to the Department as an Executive Officer, performing the duties of the Undersheriff. 

Mr.  Leyva held both a Bachelor’s Degree and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from California State University Los Angeles and Pepperdine University, respectively.  He graduated from several leadership programs throughout the country and taught “Train the Trainer” courses nationwide in the area of Analytical Interviewing.  Mr. Leyva had extensive training in Emergency Management protocols and completed the Tactical Science Course involving Disaster and Crime Scene Management.  He served as the HAPCOA representative to the Department of Homeland Security and assisted numerous agencies nationwide in the selection of supervisory and management personnel.

Mr. Leyva was a Past-National President of the Hispanic American Police Command Officers Association, Past-President of the Southern California Chapter of HAPCOA, Past-President and Board Member of the Los Angeles County Chicano Employees Association, Board Member of the Professional Peace Officers Association (PPOA), as well as a member of several other Law Enforcement Associations. 

The Sheriff’s Department extends our deepest sympathy and heartfelt condolences to the Leyva family.  Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers.

– Sheriff Alex Villanueva