Sheriff Daniel Murietta

Sheriff Daniel Murietta was born in Mexico around outside of Ensenada, Mexico and moved to San Andreas around 1880 with his family. They lived in on a farm in what is now called Murietta Heights. During the Spanish American War, Daniel Murietta volunteered for the San Andreas Militia and served as a sentry at the Port of Elysian (now known as Elysian Island). While serving in the Militia, Daniel Murietta realized a lack in training among the other volunteers and began training others in their down time when not on duty, by the end of the Spanish American War, Daniel Murietta had been promoted to the rank of Commander and was responsible for the training of all new volunteers in the handling of their rifles. On the morning of August 7th, 1898, in retaliation for the humiliating loss of Guam to the U.S., Spanish troops Mexico attempted to capture the Island of San Andreas to grab a foot hold close to America. 300 troops were dispatched from Mexico with the understanding that the island was predominantly farmers and fisherman and attempted to make port at Elysian. August 7th was a Sunday and they attempted a covert landfall about 09:00 am, expecting no one to be at the port and for everyone to be in church. However, upon reaching the port and disembarking from their ships, they were immediately met by 100 Militiamen and came under fire immediately upon exiting their ships. Daniel Murietta was on duty as the Commander for the and saw the ships as they entered the port and was able to organize a defense. The skirmish lasted for about 30 minutes but for the Spanish who were expecting little to no resistance report that the engagement lasted for almost 2 hours. At about 10:46 am the Spanish gave the signal to retreat. Once the dust settled, the San Andrea's Militia's Daily Log reports that 57 Spanish were killed, 10 captured, 9 Militiamen were killed and 11 Militiamen were wounded. The Spanish troops that retreated back to Mexico and reported back to the Spanish that the inhabitants were more organized and trained that originally reported. The also reported that the capture of San Andrea's was an unnecessary risk with little reward due to the organized resistance to occupation. The 10 captured Spanish were turned over the the United States Government who had signed a Mutual Defense Pact with San Andreas and were returned at the end of the war. At the end of the war Daniel Murietta was honorably discharged at the rank of Colonel. After the war, Daniel Murietta returned to his family's farm and spent the next two years farming and training new members of the newly formed San Andrea's National Guard. It was his time in the Militia and the stories of the defense of Port Elysian that prompted his name to be considered for the position of first Sheriff of Los Santos.

Early Days

When Sheriff Daniel Murietta took over the Los Santos Sheriff's Department he was given funding by the government to hire 10 deputies to assist in the patrolling of San Andrea's. It wasn't until 1908 that the Mayor raised enough money to purchase a Ford Model T for Sheriff use and expand the budget to include 20 additional deputies. This marked a major change in the LSSD and the start of a shift from horse back to automobiles. For the next few years Sheriff Murietta spent the time training and working with the government of San Andreas to civilize their society.

Blaine County Sheriff's Office

In 1916, the population of San Andreas had reached over 100,000 and the country had decided in the election the recent election that they wanted to organize a national government. In 1920, the First Governor was elected and established Blaine County and Los Santos City. With this new organization of the country the Governor appointed commission to study the restructure of Law Enforcement in San Andreas. In 1922, the Governor announced the formation of two new Law Enforcement agencies, the San Andreas State Police and the Los Santos Police Department, with the Los Santos Sheriff Department being reorganized as the Blaine County Sheriff Office. Each department was given funding for a total of 20 law enforcement officials. Chief Deputy Jordan Press, a young up and coming member of the Los Santos Sheriff Department was selected by the Governor to take over the San Andreas State Police he took 3 other deputies to form the high command. Sergeant Michael Chan a relatively newer deputy was selected by the Mayor, the son of a major donor to his campaign, to become the new Chief of Police for the Los Santos Police Department, he brought Deputy Mark Atkins as well and appointed him as the Deputy Chief of Police, they were old friends that grew up together. In 1924, the Governor was able to organize additional funding for all 3 of the departments. Each department was provided funding to hire a total of 30 Law Enforcement Officers and purchase 15-1924 Lincoln Phaeton automobiles.

Sheriff Murietta Retirement
In 1930, after 30 years as the Sheriff, Daniel Murietta decided to retire, his rural farm was no longer rural as the area had experienced a population boom. He sold his 100 acres to the City of Los Santos and bought a farm in what was now called Grapeseed. Upon his retirement, the Governor organized a parade that started at City Hall in Los Santos and ended at the Paleto Bay Sheriff Station. Every Officer, Deputy and Trooper came out to pay their respect along with the Fire Department. The precession of cars stretched from City Hall all the way to Paleto Bay and it took over an hour to reach the Sheriff Station from City Hall. Sheriff Murietta returned to private life and lived out the next 15 years alone in Grapeseed.