After joining the Marshal’s
Department in 1977, Michael Carona earned an
Associate of Arts degree in Criminal Justice at Mount
San Antonio College, a bachelor’s degree in
Management from the University of Redlands, and a
Master’s Degree in Management with emphasis in
Public Administration from the University of Redlands.
He worked his way through the
Marshal’s Department quickly, obtaining
promotions to the Senior Deputy position at West
Division, and then to the position of Lieutenant, in
charge of the Warrant/Field Services Division. While
in this assignment, Michael Carona competed against
other candidates for the position of Marshal of
Orange County, defeating three other finalists in a
vote amongst the county’s 105 Superior Court and
Municipal Court judges, receiving 54% of the vote.
At age 31, Marshal Michael S.
Carona was the youngest head of county government at
the time of his appointment as Marshal of Orange
County in 1988. When he assumed office, Marshal
Carona was placed in command of a staff of 347
employees, 252 of which were sworn peace officers.
The annual budget of the department was approximately
$12 million dollars.
In June of 1998, Marshal Michael S.
Carona ran in an open election for the position of
Sheriff of Orange County. Carona won the election,
and became the Sheriff of Orange County on January 4,
1999, and presently serves in that position.
Marshal Carona was succeeded by
Marshal John E. Fuller in April, 1999.
