The Gates Years

Highlights of Sheriff Brad Gates’ career and tenure as Orange County sheriff:

* 1961: Joins Sheriff’s Department as a deputy trainee at age 22

Undated photo from earlier days

* 1970: After rapid rise through ranks, becomes a top assistant to his mentor, Sheriff James A. Musick

* 1974: Elected to succeed Musick as sheriff

* 1976: Raises eyebrows by creating a team of “special deputies” that includes actors John Wayne and Andy Devine, as well as all five members of the Board of Supervisors

* 1978: Handily wins reelection despite being subject of a federal grand jury investigation into personal finances; no charges were filed

* 1985: Federal judge rules in a lawsuit over jail crowding that Gates must severely limit the number of inmates he accepts

Swallows parade, 1989

* 1987: County settles lawsuits brought by political opponents who alleged that Gates spied on them; he denies any wrongdoing

* 1988: Dedicates “Laser Village,” a high-tech police training center attracting officers from around the state

* 1991: Backs ballot measure to raise money for a new jail in hills above Anaheim with a half-cent sales tax; voters reject measure

* 1994: Helps run county in months following the bankruptcy and assists in development of recovery plan

The 1994 look

* 1995: Backs another half-cent sales tax designed to help lift county out of financial crisis; voters kill that proposal as well

* 1996: Gains national attention for opposition to successful state ballot measure legalizing medical use of marijuana

* 1997: Sexual harassment suits filed by three female employees against Assistant Sheriff Dennis LaDucer

Source: Times reports