Profile: First Responder Jenny Alsidez

InMaricopa News introduces you to the men and women who keep you safe.

Maricopa Police Officer Jenny Alsidez was the department’s Officer of the Year in 2014. This year, she was on the scene to deliver CPR at a fatal crash in a Maricopa lake.

Name: Jenny Rebecca Alsidez

Born: Henry, Nebraska

Family: My significant other and I are the proud parents of two wonderful boys – Elias, who is 7, and Xander, who is 1.

Education:  I am currently in the process of finishing my bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice Administration.

Hobbies: Spending time with my family (we are a very active family), including watching my oldest play sports – he is a green belt in karate, plays Maricopa Little League and flag football; I also enjoy hiking, reading and learning.

Years on the job: 10

Favorite part of the job: Helping the community every day. I get to help people through a rough time. I was recently approached by a woman whom I helped over five years ago. She told me I saved her life because of a conversation I had with her. I was proud to see I was able to make her change a bad situation into a good one and, from what she told me, she is doing great things in her life now. Making that kind of a difference is what motivates me to come to work every day and do my best to “make every contact excellent.”

Least favorite part of the job: The reality I can’t save everyone. When I’ve done everything in my power to save a life and the end result is it’s just not enough.

Scariest moment: Responding to calls involving children, having to see a child’s innocence stolen or having to see a child who has been injured by the hands of a family member or others. It’s our responsibility as a community to keep our children safe.