Katherine Josephine Roberts

Born in Monterey Park, CA, the third of four children, to Maurice and Dixie Berkowitz. She is survived by her brother Charles and sister Susan; daughter Christy; stepchildren; Scott, Richard Jr., Randy, Linda and Debbie; 12 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren, who she loved dearly. Preceded in death by her husband Gordon of 33 years. Starting 1968, as a dispatcher for the Pomona Police Department, she saw how Police can help those in distress. She moved to the La Verne Police Department as a dispatcher and Reserve Police officer. She was instrumental in transforming the Youth Explorer Program by including girl participation. Katie was the first female officer ever hired by the Ontario police department in 1971 and spent 33 years with the department, retiring at the rank of Captain. She also taught at the San Bernardino Sherriff Academy. During her law enforcement career, she earned degrees from Mt. Sac, Cal State LA, Law Enforcement Command College; and Cal Poly Pomona, where she earned her M.B.A. She was very involved with Community Service organizations: Rotary, Travelers Aid, West End Family Counseling, LEO Children’s Charity, Ontario Chamber of Commerce, and the Price Foundation. Katie was an artist, entertainer, instructor, advocate for the under-served, trail blazer for women, and never saw a challenge she could not overcome. Education, whether her own or youth of the community, was extremely important; she wrote/illustrated children's safety books, developed child safety programs and started a police museum to teach children about law enforcement. She was an elected member of the Chaffey College School board for 20 years and played an instrumental role in advocating for additional educational programs.

December 5, 2022: Public viewing at Stone Funeral Home, Upland CA from 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

December 6, 2022: Memorial Service at First United Methodist Church, Ontario CA at 12: 00 p.m.

December 6, 2022: Gravesite Service at Bellevue Memorial Park, Ontario CA at 2:20 p.m.

There will be a reception following the gravesite service.