Sam Lagana Sworn in as Honorary Pacific Palisades Sheriff

Share Story :

(Left to right) Gates CEO Scott Wagenseller, Honorary Sheriff Sam Lagana, Councilmember Traci Park and former Honorary Sheriff Rich Wilken after the ceremony held today.

With a world turned upside down for most Palisades residents, the return to traditions is even more important than it was before.

Today, Sam Lagana was sworn as the town’s honorary Sheriff at the Ronald Reagan American Legion Post 283. Originally the ceremony was scheduled to be held at the town’s historic Village Green park, but the rain moved the ceremony inside.

After he was sworn in by Maryam Zar, resident and past Community Council President, Lagana acknowledged the about 20 people gathered that including his wife, daughter and son-in-law and Rich Wilken, who had served as the town’s first honorary sheriff in 2003.

Councilmember Traci Park was on hand to place the badge on Lagana, who told the audience that the title was more important than a badge, “it represents a commitment to safeguard not only our community’s soul, but its history and the spirit of unity that makes our Palisades so uniquely cherished.”

He acknowledged past Town Sheriffs Don Haselkorn, Rich Wilken, Townsend Bell, Mike Skinner, Mike Lanning and Roger McGrath and noted that his term would be different than his predecessors because of the circumstances of the Palisades Fire.

“Our goal is not simply to construct new structures and fix legacy homes, but to weave our future with the threads of our past,” said Lagana who was President & CEO of Notre Dame High School after serving 19-years as Pepperdine University as Associate Vice Chancellor.

“I believe that our strength lies in unity and positivity,” Lagana said. “As your honorary town sheriff, I commit to being a guardian not only of our public safety but also of the values that make our community special. I promise to work with an uplifting spirit, to listen to your voices, and to act with integrity, ensuring that Pacific Palisades remains a place we are all proud to call home.”

Many know Lagana as the “stadium voice” of the L.A. Rams, but he has also been active in this community. He was appointed to the LA City Recreation & Parks regional planning group by Councilwoman Cindy Miscikowski. He served on the committee to build the new gym at the Palisades Recreation Center, and in 2012 was selected as a Community Council Sparkplug for his work in getting the City to reopen malfunctioning storm drains in hillside areas.

He has been named Honorary Fire Chief, recognized as Neighborhood Hero in 2018 by LA City Councilman Mike Bonin, and honored as Hometown Hero in 2023 by KCBS Los Angeles. Laganà is also an inductee of the Beach Volleyball Hall of Fame for his two decades of contributions to sport.

“Let us move forward to enhance the spirit of unity, honor our history, and build a future that continues to preserve, protect, and prosper Pacific Palisades,” Lagana said and then reminded everyone, “If you’re rich, you live in Beverly Hills, if you’re famous you live in Malibu. If you’re lucky you live in Pacific Palisades!”

Palisades Patrol selects the honorary sheriff after conferring with other community leaders. According to that company’s CEO Scott Wagenseller, the position “was originally created to chair a public safety committee for the Chamber of Commerce, but has evolved into recognizing an active community leader, and allowing that person to choose whatever issues he or she wants to address.” When Indy Car driver Townsend Bell was the sheriff, he focused on safe driving in the Palisades.

Wagenseller notes that even though it’s only a one-year term, every sheriff has stayed on an extra year. “They are issued a real custom-made badge that says Honorary Town Sheriff Pacific Palisades and are given a hat,” he said.

Everyone was all smiles at the swearing in today of Palisades’ Honorary Sheriff (left to right) Councilmember Traci Park, Sam Lagana, Maryam Zar and Scott Wagenseller.

Share Story :