Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputy Irma Alvarez on patrol duty, 1976. Photo by Michael Mally from the Los Angeles Times Photographic Archives at UCLA Library.
In 1975, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputy Irma Alvarez became the first female peace officer in California to have been intentionally shot and wounded in the line of duty. The incident occurred on August 28, 1975, when Alvarez, patrolling alone, made a traffic stop on a speeding car in Pico Rivera. Unbeknownst to her, the two occupants of the vehicle were fleeing after committing armed robbery at a local store. After Alvarez warily approached with the driver, who had quickly exited the car, she was assaulted and found herself in an intense physical struggle with both the driver and his partner. She ended up being shot by one of the assailants through the arm into her chest.
The assailants fled, but Alvarez, battered, wounded and bleeding, got back to her car and calmly radioed for help with descriptions of her assailants. The two were later captured and taken into custody.
The courage and calm demonstrated by Alvarez, in response to the violent encounter, confirmed and ensured a place for female law enforcement officers in patrol work.
After recovery, Alvarez returned to patrol duty in Pico Rivera. Her assailants were convicted and sentenced to prison. She retired from the Sheriff's Department in 2000.
Photo of display from Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.
