(La Porte, IN) - The first female police officer at the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office has passed away.

 

Mariann Midler was 76.  She died Tuesday at home. La Porte County Sheriff Ron Heeg said Midler worked at the department from 1980 to about 1991.

 

“She was a trailblazer and a pioneer,” he said.

 

Heeg, who started with the sheriff’s department in 1997, said he didn’t know Midlar but a floral arrangement for her services has been ordered by the department. 

 

“She was gone for about six years before I started,” he said.

 

Heeg said he’ll also pay his respects to Midlar and her family at her visitation on Friday. Former La Porte County Police officer Mike Kellems also said Midlar was “very competent,” “very capable” and “always very professional.” Kellems became a police officer in late 1980’s and remembered her “as a lovable mother type” yet firm, when necessary.

 

“When you went into a situation where you needed some back up, you always appreciated that she was there with you. She’d be right there with anybody,” he said.

 

Her visitation Friday Is scheduled from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Haverstock Funeral Home and Cremation Services.