Officer ends 'trailblazing career'

"Lt. Hammerman spent the last 20 plus years of her professional life as a police officer, while contributing thousands of volunteer hours serving the disenfranchised, the forgotten and the battered," said San Mateo police Capt. Mike Callagy.

She joined the ranks of the San Mateo Police Department in 1984 and later became the first female sergeant and female lieutenant in the city's history. She "carved out a place at the table" for women and minorities, Callagy said.

Hammerman's smile and upbeat personality won her many friends, while her dedication and hard work earned her respect throughout the county. She made the fight against domestic violence and equality for women her life's work. She was named to the California Attorney General's Commission on Domestic Violence, served on the Community Overcoming Relationship Abuse board of directors and often spoke to local women's groups.

She was a trained negotiator and also the first woman in San Mateo County to ride in the motorcycle unit. She was the first to establish random child safety checkpoints and the first to establish drunk-driving checkpoints. Characteristic of her drive and determination to make things happen, after being told by her supervisors that there was no money for these programs, she applied for and received a multi-year, several-hundred-thousand dollar grant from the Office of Emergency Services.

"Her successes in the field of law enforcement are legendary, not just for her excellent work, but for the examples she set and her trailblazing efforts, all the while championing the rights and protection of the vulnerable in our society," Callagy said.

Hammerman also set records in the area of drug enforcement as one of the few female narcotics detectives in the city.

At the height of the cocaine epidemic in the '80s, Hammerman was the first detective ever to write and serve in excess of 70 search warrants. During one of the searches, Hammerman seized the largest piece of rock cocaine in San Mateo County, dubbed the "hope diamond" by narcotics experts.

She was an advocate of a healthy lifestyle and developed the "wellness program" at the department. On her own time, Hammerman found money to support wellness fairs, complete with physical examinations and personal training for police personnel. The program saved lives of people were unknowingly close to heart disease and a variety of other illnesses, Callagy said.

A model of good health, Hammerman attributed the headaches she was experiencing last year to stress. While ill, she was working 16-hour days as the head of the detective bureau to resolve the murder of a man in front of a karaoke club in July.

When it came to investigations, Hammerman's warm smile, great personality and witty sense of humor made her a natural when interviewing suspects, said Callagy.

"Criminals would love to talk with Barbara, which allowed her to be extremely successful at getting confessions from even the most hardened suspects," Callagy said.

Hammerman was also an avid volunteer for the Police Activities League. She coached baseball, taught kayaking and took PAL participants on day trips.

Since her leave from the department, Hammerman battled cancer with numerous rounds of chemotherapy treatments. She visits the department on occasion, but has taken to staying at home and meeting with friends and family in recent weeks.

"Lt. Hammerman has set a standard that we all aspire to," Callagy said. "We will all make sure that every new officer who someday sets foot in this Police Department will come to know the legendary career of Lt. Barbara Hammerman."

A fund has been set up in her name at the Police Athletic League. Donations can be sent to PAL Executive Director Mike Buckle at the San Mateo Police Department, 2000 S. Delaware St.