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Trailblazer: The only woman to head an Arizona police department, Strauss, 56, of Mesa, had introduced innovative programs for her gang-plagued district, including a family violence center.
Breaking the cycle: A 28-year veteran in law enforcement, Strauss worked the sex crimes unit as a detective and dealt with young victims. "The work was emotionally draining but very rewarding, because you could actually prevent children from being further molested," she says.
Passing the torch: Strauss plans to teach criminal justice at a local college this year and encourage young women to go into law enforcement. Less than 10 percent of Mesa's officers are women; Strauss would like to see more. "In the seventies, you'd have been lucky to see a female police sergeant," she says. "Women are now able to move into high-ranking positions."