Undersheriff-Coroner Tom Lopez was born and raised in Yolo County. He joined the Sheriff’s Department in 1980 as a Reserve Deputy Sheriff, became a full time Deputy in 1984, and transferred to the Sacramento County Marshall’s Office in 1985. He returned to the Yolo County Sheriff’s Department in 1988 as a Resident Deputy and Field Training Officer in the Esparto – Capay Valley area.

Tom promoted to Sergeant in 1993 and supervised Patrol, Security and Investigations at the jail, Legal Services and Investigations. In 1999, he promoted to Lieutenant and was assigned to the Administrative Division where he was in charge of Training, Personnel, Civil and Internal Affairs.
In June of 2001 Tom promoted to the rank of Captain. He was assigned to the Detention Division for four years, Field Operations Division for eight months, and the Administrative Division for the last year and half. While assigned to the Detention Division, Tom was charged with the care and custody of 452 inmates and was responsible for the supervision of 137 employees. He also oversaw the Department's Planning and Research Section. As the Field Operations Commander, Tom oversaw the Sheriff's patrol force. As the Administrative Division Commander, Tom supervised the Personnel Section, Finance Section, and continued to oversee the Department's Planning and Research Section. On April 28, 2006, Tom was named the "2005 Sworn Manager of the Year" at the Sheriff Department's annual awards banquet. He was promoted to Undersheriff-Coroner in January 2007.

Tom holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and is active in the community as a Fire Chief of the Madison Fire Protection District. He also serves as a board member on Capay Valley Vision. Undersheriff Lopez resides in western Yolo County with his wife and daughter.