Great American Warrior: Lauren Pettey, serving and protecting on the ground and in the sky in Tucson, AZ

Mundane is not in Lauren's vocabulary, and she found excitement even before officially being sworn in as a member of the police force. "I had a ride along before I became a cop," she explains, "and it was a very lively night. Shootings, stabbings, foot chases." Lauren was hooked.

In a sometimes thankless job, Lauren finds joy in the friendships she has made throughout her time in law enforcement. "when you have people you've interacted with on calls come up years later and say thank you, that's what makes a difference."

Her biggest message? Don't give up hope. "Know that the public does care, and they do support you," she says, "you are truly impacting people's lives."

Trudy Jacobson is proud to present Great American Warriors, a division of Great American Women. Great American Warriors is a web series dedicated to showcasing the stories of inspiring and ambitious female veterans and first responders. These women are leaders in their field, and their stories will motivate and encourage other women to pursue their own dreams.

Like Trudy Jacobson, these women are at the top of their game, and their tales will inspire and motivate other women to achieve their own aspirations.

Producer's Note: At the time of this video release, we are so happy to announce that Lt. Pettey has now been promoted to CAPTAIN Pettey.  A well deserved promotion. Congratulations, Captain Pettey, and we wish you the absolute best success in your law enforcement career.