Terrorism of 9/11 was call to duty for South Lake Tahoe police officer

September 11th, 2001 terrorists shocked the nation as Americans all across the country watched the twin towers fall. The tragic events that day changed the lives of many Americans. Some lost their mothers, fathers, sisters, friends, and brothers, and for some, like Officer Traci Trapani of the South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD), the events of that day were a call to duty to protecting the general welfare of the American public against all enemies, both foreign and domestic.

In the mind of the then 20-year-old Trapani she had only two options: Join the Military or become a police officer. Ultimately, Trapani chose being a police officer because that is where she felt she fit best for her to accomplish her goal of helping people. At age 24, Trapani joined the Sacramento Police Department, which was the beginning of a successful 14-year-long career (so far) in law enforcement.

Trapani does not come from a law enforcement family, she is in fact the first person in her family to answer the call of duty, but she did marry a 20-year veteran of law enforcement who currently is a police sergeant in another city. In Trapani’s spare time, when she’s not off arresting bad guys and saving lives, she enjoys spending time with her family, outdoor activities and staying in shape for the days ahead of her as a police officer for SLTPD.

“Police officers are held to a very high standard. We strive to match that high standard that our leaders hold us to. We shine our boots and press our uniforms to make sure we not only represent ourselves well, but our department, as well as the city of South Lake Tahoe. We also strive to hold ourselves to a high standard of respecting the people we serve, maintaining integrity, making sure our equipment is running, and remaining neutral on all calls we go out to,” said Trapani.

Trapani is a day shift officer with SLTPD and her day varies from responding to traffic collisions, domestic violence situations and other emergency situations.. The department receives 25, 000 calls or more on average that officers must respond to, and with an average of three officers on duty at any given time, the officers are kept hopping.

“Our department is fantastic and really has welcomed me in warmly since I joined two-years-ago," said Trapani. "Some may think that being a female peace officer is harder and that we may not be treated equally, but I have never once felt that way, I have always felt like I am treated like an equal at SLTPD and that I can lean on my partners as much as they lean on me. This is very much a career for women as it is for men. All you need to have is the values it takes to become a peace officer and have a desire to help people. This job has changed me for the better.”

No one likes being told by a police officer that they can’t do something or are receiving a traffic ticket, but when you are in those moments with police officers it is important that you remember they are just as human as you and I. They have hopes, dreams, and families, and despite that they put on a uniform each day knowing that they may not come home to those they treasure most.

Thank you Officer Traci Trapani for your tireless effort, dedication and service to the citizens of South Lake Tahoe! We, and SLTPD, are lucky to have you here.