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Mountain View News Saturday, August 31, 2024

PUBLIC SAFETY IN SIERRA MADRE NEWS

For the next several months Sierra Madre’s Police and Fire Departments will be running a weekly segment 
titled, “Get to Know Your Public Safety Officer” in the Mountain View News. The purpose of this special 
segment will focus on our police and fire department employees and all of us to learn a little bit more 
about the men and women who serve our community. 

DISPATCHER LILLIANA CORTEZ 

Lilliana has worked with the Sierra 
Madre Police Department since 2018, 
where she started as a Community 
Service Officer. In mid-2019 she was 
promoted to her current role as a Police 
Dispatcher. In her short career, Lilliana 
has established herself as one of our 
most experienced dispatchers with key 
organizational assets. Recently, Lilliana 
obtained her Bachler’s Degree in 
Sociology with an interest in Law and 
Society from California State University 
Los Angeles. She also has specialty 
training as Communications Training 
Officer and Tactical Dispatcher with 
the regional tactics team Sierra Madre 
PD is a part of (F.S.E.T.). Lilliana has 
earned the reputation amongst her 
peers as somebody that is a dedicated 
hard worker, extremely professional, 
and somebody that truly cares about 
the people she works with and the 
community she serves. Let’s learn a 
little more about Lilliana.

1. What made you want to become 
a Police Dispatcher? 

I actually didn’t want to be a dispatcher 
at the start of my law enforcement 
career. I always wanted to be a police 
officer. It wasn’t until I started working 
as a Community Service Officer with Sierra Madre Police that I saw what it really meant to be a Police 
Dispatcher. I always had a calling for helping people in need, so when I was given the opportunity to 
become a Police Dispatcher with the Sierra Madre Police Department, I jumped at the opportunity and 
never looked back.

2. Why did you choose to work for the Sierra Madre Police Department? 

I worked at a bigger agency before coming to Sierra Madre. By chance I was given the opportunity to 
apply to become a Community Service Officer here. I knew after only a couple of months working here 
that this town was different than any other. The love and support I receive from this Police Department 
really make me feel welcome every day, and that is the reason why I chose to work here. 

3. What do you like best about your job and role as a Police Dispatcher? 

I would say the thing I like the best about by job is knowing that I have and can continue to make 
a difference in people’s lives. Whether it’s something big or small, I know that when they call into 
Dispatch, emergency or not, they are asking for help, and I am the one that gets to make their day just 
a little bit better. 

4. What would you say is the hardest part of your job?

I would say the hardest part of my job is having to always mentally stay ready for what the shift will 
bring and not letting the outside world affect that.

5. It’s been said that in order to successfully do the job of a Police Dispatcher, you have to have 
the ability to multi-task. Can you briefly provide examples or “paint a picture” for our readers, what 
is meant by this?

Being a Police Dispatcher does take a lot of multi-tasking. Here in Sierra Madre, we work alone, so 
we do not have a partner like most other agencies. That means we have to handle both the phones, 
emergency and non-emergency, and the radio at the same time. When there is an emergency going on, 
for example a traffic accident with injury, we will receive multiple people calling trying to report the 
accident. Some will call 911 and some will call the non-emergency line. It is our responsibility to filter 
all those calls, take down the pertinent information, dispatch officers, and keep them updated with 
any new information we receive. We also have to relay the information to the Fire Department so they 
can assist as well. That is just one call for service. If there happens to be another emergency happening 
at the same time or shortly after, we have to shift focus and repeat the process all over again, but at the 
same time continue to monitor the original call. So yes, being able to multi-task in extremely stressful 
situations is needed in order to successfully do this job.

6. What’s the most heroic moment you’ve experienced on the job?

I have had a couple of moments I would say I felt heroic but my most memorable to date would have 
to be when I was able to help a young female escape a home from a very dangerous situation without 
being harmed. I stayed on the phone with her for over 30 minutes before we were able to successfully 
extract her safely.

7. What is the favorite place you frequent in Sierra Madre?

I would say it would have to be Poppy Cake. I love their avocado toast.

8. We understand you recently became engaged and also have a new addition to the family you 
are starting. Tell us a little about your fiancé and your new puppy? 

I recently got engaged this past April to my longtime boyfriend of 8 years. My fiancé is a Deputy with 
the Orange County Sheriff Department and about 5 months ago we adopted a 2 month old Australian 
Shepard by the name of Ozzy. 

9. What activities do you like to do when you are not serving our city as a Dispatcher?

I love spending time with my family and my dogs on my days off. I also love going to the movies with 
my fiancé. 

10. What is one thing unique about you that some people may not know?

From the ages of 15 to 19 I was a Police Explorer with El Monte Police.

SIERRA MADRE POLICE BLOTTER


August 18 to August 24 2024 

Calls for Service Formal Investigations 
320 8 

Total Year to Date for 2024 

Calls for Service Formal Investigations

 7,140 337 


The following represents a summary report of some of the major incidents handled by the 
Sierra Madre Police Department during this period. This list is not intended to be considered 
exclusive or all-inclusive.

Monday, August 19 Injured Person

At approximately 10:00 AM, officers responded to the 200 block of West Sierra Madre Blvd. 
to meet with a citizen who fell and suffered and injury at Memorial Park. Sierra Madre Fire 
Department (S.M.F.D.) was already on scene treating the male. The male stated while walking 
with his walker, he released the brake which caused the walker to roll forward causing him to 
fall. Officers took a report and checked the location.

Wednesday, August 21 General Incident

At approximately 2:30 PM, officers responded to the 50 block of East Laurel Ave., in regards 
to a possible vehicle burglary report. The citizen stated she left her home to run errands and 
when she returned, she discovered a window on her vehicle shattered. The officers canvassed 
the area and located a camera, based on the officers investigation, it appreared no one entered 
the vehicle and the citizen stated nothing was taken. It appereared the damage was caused 
by an unknown means and appeared accidental. Officers took a report for documentational 
purposes.

Friday, August 23 Theft

At approximately 5:00 PM, officers responded to the 100 block of West Highland Ave. to 
meet with a citizen regarding a theft report. The citizen stated unknown suspects entered her 
unsecured vehicle and took her property. Later, the suspect(s) returned her property. The victim 
was unable to see the suspect(s) and there were no cameras in the area. The victim is desirous of 
prosecution if the suspect(s) are located. The case has been forwarded to the Detective’s Bureau 
for a follow up.

Saturday, August 24 Family Offense

At approximately 12:00 AM, while on patrol at the intersection of Baldwin Ave., and Grandview 
Ave., officers observed a stop sign violation. As the officers attempted a traffic stop with their 
emergency lights on, the vehicle failed to yield and continued to drive to their residence in 
violation of evading a peace officer. The driver then exited the vehicle and began running. Officers 
gave verbal commands to stop and get back in the car, in which he ignored and continued to 
run towards a fence and into the residence. Upon investigation, officers located a 1 month old 
child left unattended in the vehicle with multiple open alcoholic beverages. The vehicle was 
impounded for evidence. The case is under ongoing investigation.


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