Solano County Sheriff Gary R. Stanton: born in Vallejo, California on May 19, 1949, attended local public schools and graduated from Armijo High School in 1967. Gary Stanton has since attended Solano Community College, Southern Illinois University and the University of Virginia. Gary Stanton is a graduate of the 190th session of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia, where he specialized in management training and professional development. He holds numerous professional certificates from the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards in Training (POST) for completion of Basic, Intermediate, Advanced, Supervisory, Management and Executive Development training. Gary Stanton has also completed the Quantum Leap Leadership Training Academy and the Kerr-Hill Management Training Course.

Gary Stanton's entire professional career has been devoted to public service. It began when he was sworn into the Solano County Sheriff's Office as a Deputy Sheriff on November 2, 1972. As a deputy, Gary Stanton had the opportunity to work in many assignments, including patrol, court bailiff, custody division, civil division, marine patrol and criminal investigations. Gary Stanton also served as a member of the Sheriff's Emergency Response Team (SWAT), the Sheriff's Crowd Control Team (CCT), and as a field-training officer trained and mentored new deputy sheriffs.

His hard work, intelligence, loyalty and devotion to public service paid off and he rose steadily through the ranks. In 1985 he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. As a Sergeant, Gary Stanton held assignments as custody supervisor, patrol supervisor, and, for a period of several years, managed the development of the automated Inmate Management System project. In 1990 he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. As a Lieutenant, Gary Stanton held assignments as the department's first Public Information Officer, Patrol Watch Commander, Internal Affairs Investigator and served as an administrative assistant to Sheriff Al Cardoza's Executive Management Team. In 1997 Sheriff Richard Hulse promoted Gary Stanton to the position of Chief Deputy where he served as the department's Public Safety Commander. Gary Stanton was promoted to Assistant Sheriff on April 5, 1998, and became Undersheriff on May 19, 2000. As Assistant Sheriff and Undersheriff he served as the department's Operations Commander, managing all aspects of field operations and custody. On July 8, 2001, Solano County Sheriff Richard Hulse retired, and the Solano County Board of Supervisors appointed Gary Stanton to the position of Sheriff. Gary Stanton was elected Sheriff / Coroner by the community of Solano County on March 5, 2002. Sheriff Stanton was re-elected by the community to a second term of office in 2006 and he continues to serve as Sheriff-Coroner.


The Stanton family has a long and distinguished history with the Solano County Sheriff's Office. His father, Bob Stanton retired as a Captain in 1984 after nearly 34 years of public service. Gary Stanton's uncle, William Stanton, was also a member of the Solano County Sheriff's Office, retiring in 1979 as a Lieutenant after 31 years of public service. Gary Stanton's personal goal is to remain in public service for a period of time sufficient to bring the Stanton family total to 100 years, accomplishing a century of public service.

Sheriff Stanton serves the community in many different ways. He is a member of the Native Sons of the Golden West and Order of Sons of Italy, Virgilio Lodge No. 1586. Sheriff Stanton is also a member of the California State Sheriff's Association, the California State Coroner's Association, the Western States Sheriff's Association, the National Sheriff's Association and the F.B.I. National Academy Associates.

On the topic of population growth, Sheriff Stanton recently stated, "As our community grows and evolves, so must law enforcement. We will continue to maintain our long-standing traditions as a basis from which we grow, while we embrace the philosophy of community oriented policing and problem solving as our future. The Sheriff of Solano County must effectively balance the needs of our population centers with those of our rural and agricultural community. This is best accomplished by equally and fairly representing the competing interests of both, while providing a safe community for all who live, work and play in Solano County."

Sheriff Stanton and his wife Claudia reside in Dixon and have been married for 30 years. They have two adult daughters, Kristen, of Fairfield, CA. and Jeannie, of Springfield, OR. Gary and Claudia enjoy their four grandchildren, Michael, Matthew, Erin and Emily.

In his spare time Sheriff Stanton enjoys golfing, RV camping, and digital photography. He also builds and flies remote controlled aircraft.