Harry D. Ramsay
1973-78
At the age of 20, Ramsay became
a member of the U.S. Army Air Corps. The year was 1942 and World War
II was underway. He served the people of this nation for three years.
Ramsay served the people of
this county for over 30 years through his various assignments in the
Office of the Sheriff.
After nine years as a deputy
sheriff he was promoted to sergeant and served as a detective. In 1957
he began a two-year stint as an investigator in the District
Attorney’s Office.
In 1959, Ramsay became
Under Sheriff, a position he occupied for 14 years. While serving in
this capacity he was the department’s general manager.
Responsibilities included preparing and maintaining the budget,
administering personnel matters and department planning.
In 1969, Ramsay became the
second deputy sheriff to graduate from the FBI Academy. He ranked
fifth in his class of one hundred. President Richard Nixon presented
the diploma.
As sheriff, he implemented one
of the nation’s first Neighborhood Watch Programs in Orinda and
built the first Direct-Supervision Jail in Martinez.
