Los Angeles County Sheriff Jim McDonnell is escorted by his drivers Sgt. Clipper Hackett, left, and Deputy Janine Hanson, right, at the North County Correctional Facility in Castaic. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
Pat Maxwell, wiping an eye during Lee Baca’s retirement announcement, was the former sheriff’s first driver. He wore out the car by logging more than 70,000 miles in one year. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)
James Hellmold, left in January 2014, was promoted quickly after serving as Sheriff Lee Baca’s driver. The day after Baca retired, however, Hellmold was demoted.
(Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)
Former L.A. County Sheriff Lee Baca was known to pick his drivers, rather than opening up the position to any department member who was interested. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)
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At the LAPD, Daryl F. Gates served as driver for William H. Parker in the 1950s before becoming chief himself in 1978. During his swearing-in ceremony, his wife, Sima Gates, checks his badge.
