On Oct. 24, the City of Capitola announced that Capt. Sarah Ryan will become the city’s next chief of police, succeeding Chief Andrew Dally, is retiring after a 29-year career with Capitola.
Sarah Ryan
Capt. Ryan will make history as the first woman to serve as a police chief in Santa Cruz County.
She is the highest-ranking female officer in Capitola’s history.
Capt. Ryan, who joined the Capitola Police Department in 2005, has held numerous roles within the department, including patrol operations, recruitment and training, sergeant, detective, field training officer, and most recently, administrative captain.
The announcement said she has demonstrated a commitment to public service marked by compassion and professional integrity.
For 10 months, she has been part of the team with Detectives Zack Currier and Jackie Yeung working on a missing person case that turned into a homicide investigation.
Alice “Alyx” Kamakaokalani Hermann, 61, was reported missing in December, and her remains, confirmed with DNA, were found in Tilden Regional Park in Berkeley. An audio recording from her phone was key in the case.
Her boyfriend, Theobald “Theo” Lengyel, 54, of El Cerrito, a saxophonist in the ‘80s band Mr. Bungle, was found guilty of first-degree murder this month and faces life in prison when he is sentenced.
His arrest was made in collaboration with El Cerrito Police, the Santa Cruz County District Attorney’s Office and the state Department of Justice
After Lengyel’s arrest Capt. Ryan posted on LinkedIn, “My condolences to survivors, you are an important part of work that law enforcment does.”
Capt. Ryan also was integral to the planning of a parade in Capitola Village to honor the Soquel High football team after they won the state championship last year.
Mayor Kristen Brown said, “We are excited to welcome Sarah Ryan to her new role with the City as our Chief of Police. With her exceptional track record of service, leadership, and commitment to our community’s safety, she brings a wealth of experience that will further strengthen our amazing police department. I am confident that under her leadership we will continue to enhance public trust and transparency, ensuring Capitola remains a safe and welcoming place for all.”
Capt. Ryan is a graduate of Leadership Santa Cruz County (Class 35) . She has a bachelor’s degree in social work from San Jose State University and a master’s degree in law enforcement and public safety leadership from the University of San Diego.
A Santa Cruz County native and a graduate of San Lorenzo Valley High School, she resides with her family just outside Capitola and maintains deep ties to the community, fostering long-standing relationships with residents, business owners, and the city’s workforce.
When asked about her vision for the role, she said, “It is essential to create conditions of trust because WE are always our strongest together.”