By Terra Avilla
Kim Warren, or Kimmie as I know her, was one of the first people I met at the police department. Like, before I even moved here.
When I was in background with the Department she took my fingerprints. I remember how young she was back then. When I began working Kim instantly felt like my little sister. She was someone I could confide in as I literally didn’t know anyone in Susanville but my husband.
She had worked at the police department for a couple of years when I was brand new. Even though she was considerably younger than me, and we worked entirely different types of jobs, Kim was still able to help me and answer so many of the questions I was afraid to ask. She may have been younger than me, but naïve she was not.
When I became pregnant, and was stuck on light duty, Kimmie and I became very close friends. She went out of her way to make sure I (and my growing baby belly) never went without food, and I still blame her for my Chinese food addiction to this day.
Our friendship soon transcended from on-duty, to simply full time friends, and I was honored to be a bridesmaid in her wedding. Kimmie became my family and someone who, to this day, I know I can call on any time of day or night. I love living in a community where our babies are growing up together.
What a blessing that I can say my daughter will be graduating with kids that I can say I knew since the day they were born.
Now that I detailed how I know and love Kim, lets’ talk about how you all know and love Kim.
Born and raised here she graduated from Lassen High School and was one of the youngest people ever hired by the Susanville Police Department. Since her start at the police department, Kim has worked as our animal control officer, helped at the front desk, has managed our evidence (both in the office and in the field) and is now a member of our Multidisciplinary Interview Team (she helps interview young victims).
Year after year Kim has put on Rabies clinics, assisted with the Lassen County Fair, every parade we have, Children’s fair, and any other special event you can think of.
She assists with the Susanville Police Explorers and even though she wasn’t a member of the Police Officer’s Association, still assisted with many of their events, like Holiday with a Hero and the Policeman’s Ball. She does all of these extracurricular activities and still manages to help wayward officers with their weird evidence questions.
Kimmie has been my lifesaver at the police department but is also just a very cherished friend. She balances her home life as a mother (to two beautiful little boys) and as a wife with a very demanding work schedule.
She is a very real part of Susanville that makes it feel like my home, and one of the reasons I love the place we live.
