Charles E. Sebastian

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Charles Edward Sebastian (March 30, 1873April 17, 1929) was the 36th mayor of Los Angeles, California, serving from 1915 to 1916.

He was born in Farmington, Missouri on March 30, 1873.

Originally a patrolman in the LAPD, Sebastian climbed the ranks to Chief of Police and served in that office from January 3, 1911 to July 16, 1915. He was the first L.A. police chief to be elected mayor, due in no small part to his crusade against vice.

While running for office he became embroiled in a litany of charges but was later acquitted of them all. He did, however, later depart City Hall after adverse publicity concerning his personal life arose from the publication of letters of a damaging nature.

During his brief mayoralty, Sebastian oversaw the Los Angeles Aqueduct-related annexation of numerous outlying areas, including most of the San Fernando Valley and the West Side.

He died April 17, 1929 and is interred at Glen Haven Memorial Park in Sylmar, California.

Preceded by
Alexander Galloway
Chief of LAPD
1911–1915
Succeeded by
Clairence E. Snively
Preceded by
Henry Rose
Mayor of Los Angeles, California
19151916
Succeeded by
Frederick T. Woodman