ARBUCKLE, Calif. — Fallen Davis Police Officer Natalie Corona's father wants people to remember his daughter for the kindness she showed to others.
Jose Merced Corona, said his daughter's dream was to go into law enforcement. A dream fostered by her father, who spent more than 20 years as a law enforcement officer with the Colusa County Sheriff's Office.
"I would come home from lunch and dinner and she'd be waiting for me at the door and she would say 'Dad, dad, can I go on a ride-a-long today?' and I told her, 'No, Nan, not today. I'm too busy,'" Corona said.
But he would give in, taking her out for an hour.
Years later, in August of 2018, Officer Natalie Corona was sworn in to the Davis Police Department.
"Her mom wanted to pin her badge at graduation when she graduated from the academy," Corona said. "Natalie said, 'Dad, I want you to pin my badge when I get sworn in to the police department.' And I said, 'Natalie, I'll be happy to do that. I can do that.' It was then I got to pin on her badge. What an honor that was."
Officer Corona has been described as a rising star in the Davis Police Department, but her father says he will always remember her as his little girl. The one his other three daughters looked up to.
"Her sisters are taking it real hard," he said. "They were all best friends. Natalie was the big sister that used to run them to the movies. Anything they needed. Natalie provided for them."
He says his strength right now comes from above.
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"We're faithful and you have to leave it in the hands of God," Corona said. "You really do. You have to accept that we wanted her here, but God had another plan. You have to accept that. We're gonna grieve. We're gonna grieve for a long time."
He said he's getting through the grief by speaking about his daughter, and letting people know how amazing she truly was.
"I just want people to remember her," he said. "She didn't serve for very long, but she gave her life doing what she loved to do and we have to accept that."
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