The First Policewoman

Wild West to metropolis, Salinas has a violent history. From the 1909 murder of Maud Carson to the record twenty-four murders of 1994, Salinas police have seen it all.

Author Biography

As the granddaughter of the title character in this book, Lisa Eisemann had heard stories about her grandmother for many years. Although Mae Eisemann died less than one year before her birth, Lisa Eisemann kept yellowed newspaper clippings about cases her grandmother worked in the 1940s. From a young age, Eisemann knew she wanted to follow in her grandmother’s footsteps and received a B.A. degree in Criminology and Sociology before attending graduate school, where she studied Forensic Science. Licensed as a private investigator in 1995, Eisemann became interested in researching the history of the police department, particularly as it related to her grandmother’s position as the first female police officer. Encouraged by the department’s interest in a historical yearbook, she was able to research and write a book not only about Mae Eisemann, but one which included all the characters of the police department from the time it was authorized in 1903.

Lisa Eisemann is married to now retired homicide detective Joe Gunter, whom she met while investigating a murder for the defense. Both are experts in crime scene processing and gangs. The two continue to live in Salinas with their daughter, Terrin, who plans to become a police officer and hopes to work as a canine unit someday. Eisemann also owns the Salinas School of Dance, where she teaches ballet, tap, jazz and Irish dancing to hundreds of students each week. As the director of the Spirit of Salinas Irish Dancers, she and her team have traveled to Ireland to compete in a world level competition.