Sacramento County sheriff reports fewest homicides in 55 years
Sacramento County recorded 18 homicides in 2025, the lowest numbers in more than half a century, according to the sheriff's office.
In a statement, Sheriff Jim Cooper said the number of homicides is the lowest number since 1970.
"Progress like this does not happen by accident. It happens because of deliberate, disciplined, proactive police work, carried out day after day by Deputies and Detectives who understand the mission," Cooper said.
The sheriff noted that the last time the number of homicides was this low was when the county had far fewer residents. Sacramento County had about 631,000 residents 55 years ago, compared to more than 1.6 million today.
"More people, more activity, more challenges, yet fewer homicides than at any point in modern history," Cooper added.
Cooper said a significant part of the homicide drop can be credited to the office's Gang Unit, one of the few remaining standalone units in California targeting gangs. The unit had seized 382 firearms in 2025 alone.
"Dedicated gang enforcement allows us to focus on the small number of individuals responsible for a disproportionate share of violent crime, using intelligence, experience, and precision," said the sheriff.
The numbers do not include homicides in the City of Sacramento. According to Sacramento Police, 42 homicides took place within city limits in 2025, down from 45 in 2024.
