THE STAFF OF THE SHERIFFS’ RELIEF ASSOCIATION IS SADDENED TO ANNOUNCE THE PASSING OF RETIRED CHIEF WILLIAM J. MCSWEENEY. HE PASSED AWAY ON MAY 18, 2025.
WILLIAM JOINED THE DEPARTMENT ON JUNE 24, 1974 AND RETIRED FROM DETECTIVE DIVISION ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2015.
BILL HAD BEEN A SHERIFFS’ RELIEF BOARD MEMBER SINCE JANUARY 2001 AND BECAME THE GENERAL MANAGER IN 2015 AFTER HIS RETIREMENT FROM THE SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT.
HE IS SURVIVED BY HIS BELOVED WIFE OF OVER 50 YEARS, THREE ADULT CHILDREN, AND FIVE GRANDCHILDREN.
FOR A MORE COMPLETE BIOGRAPHY, PLEASE SEE BELOW.
THE SERVICES ARE PENDING
NO CONDOLENCES WERE REQUESTED AT THIS TIME
From LASD:
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Honors the Life and Service of Retired Chief William J. McSweeney- End of Watch: May 18, 2025
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department mourns the passing of Retired Chief William J. McSweeney and honors his exceptional dedication to public service. Chief McSweeney retired in July 2015 after 41 years of distinguished service in law enforcement. Chief McSweeney began his career in 1974 as a graduate of Academy Class 169. His early assignments included the Men’s Central Jail, West Hollywood Station, and Lennox Station. Throughout his career, he also served at Malibu Station, the Training Bureau, and the Internal Affairs Bureau. He later held the rank of Captain at Lost Hills Station and was promoted to Commander in the Training Division and Field Operations.
During his final 12 years with the Department, Chief McSweeney served as Chief of the Training Division, Homeland Security Division, and Detective Division-demonstrating steadfast leadership and an unwavering
commitment to public safety.
Retired Chief McSweeney is survived by his beloved wife and three adult children. His legacy of integrity, leadership, and service will forever be remembered by the Department and the community he served.
From JINSA:
Chief William J. McSweeney, a 37-year veteran of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, assumed command of the Detective Division on March 21, 2010. In this role, he is responsible for coordinating and overseeing the six bureaus that comprise the Division: Narcotics Bureau, Homicide Bureau, Special Victims Bureau, Commercial Crimes Bureau, Major Crimes Bureau, and the Taskforce for Regional Autotheft Prevention. Prior to this assignment, he was assigned as the Chief of the Department’s Homeland Security Division. There, he commanded the Sheriff Department’s specialized emergency functions including: disaster preparedness, counter-terrorism, air support, Special Weapons Teams, arson-explosives response, hazardous materials operations, and Los Angeles transit security. Additionally, he oversaw the Sheriff’s police service agreements for more than 40 cities and districts in Los Angeles County.
Chief McSweeney is a native of Los Angeles. He attended the University of Colorado and California State University Northridge. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science and a Master of Science Degree in Public Administration. Additionally, he holds an MBA Management certificate from Tulane University. In 2007, he completed the graduate program in Organizational Development at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, and is an alumnus of the United States Naval Post Graduate School in Monterey, California.
Chief McSweeney began his law enforcement career in 1974. Following his academy training, he was assigned to many units within the Department as he moved through the ranks. His early assignments included Custody Division, West Hollywood Station, and South Los Angeles Station (LNX). He later served in various capacities at the Malibu Station, Recruit Training Bureau, Legislative Advocacy, and Internal Affairs Bureau. In 1996, he was selected as the Captain of the Malibu-Lost Hills Station, which serves Malibu and the Northwest San Fernando Valley. He was promoted to Commander in 2000, and was assigned to Field Operations Region II. As a patrol division Commander, he played a central role in successfully merging the Compton Police Department into the Sheriff’s Department.
In 2003, Sheriff Baca promoted McSweeney to Division Chief, overseeing the Leadership and Training Division. He is active in several professional and community organizations. He served as president of the Los Angeles County Peace Officers Association in both 2005 and 2006 and is an Executive Board Member. He serves as a Trustee of the Sheriff’s Relief Association, a Director of Gateways Hospital, and is also a member of the Board of Governors for the Boys and Girls Club.
The Chief resides in Westlake Village, where his wife Susan serves as the Mayor of that city. They have three grown children, Brian and Mike, who hold corporate marketing positions; and Katie, who is an attorney. All of the McSweeneys are avid fans of college athletics and they unfailingly attend games both in Los Angeles and out of town.