11/12/2026
A HEARTFELT TRIBUTE FROM THE OAKDALE POLICE DEPARTMENT
It is with heavy hearts that the Oakdale Police Department extends our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and loved ones of our beloved retired dispatcher, Shirley Fontenot.
For 20 years, Shirley dedicated herself to serving this community and standing alongside the men and women of law enforcement. Her service was about so much more than answering telephones and dispatching calls. She was a calm voice in moments of chaos, a lifeline during emergencies, and a reassuring voice to those who needed help the most.
One of the many things that made Shirley special was her determination and dedication to law enforcement. At the age of 53, she attended the police academy and finished at the top of her class! That accomplishment speaks volumes about the kind of woman she was. She proved that determination, hard work, and a desire to serve have no age limit. Her achievement is something to be admired and remembered.
She answered countless calls, including 911 calls from people experiencing some of the most frightening moments of their lives. Every call mattered, and Shirley understood the importance of being there when someone needed help. Behind every call was a person in need, and she treated that responsibility with dedication, compassion, and professionalism.
Shirley also cared deeply about the officers she worked alongside. She looked out for them, worried about their safety, and always wanted to make sure they made it home safely at the end of their shifts. She was more than a dispatcher to those officers; she was a friend, a supporter, and an important part of their law enforcement family.
The importance of a dispatcher in the law enforcement community can never be overstated. Dispatchers are often the unseen heroes behind the badge. They are the first voices people hear when calling for help and the voices officers depend on while working the streets. They coordinate emergency responses, provide critical information, offer reassurance, and help keep our officers safe. They may not wear a badge or stand on the front lines, but they are every bit as important to the mission of protecting and serving our communities.
Twenty years of service is a remarkable legacy, and the lives Shirley touched will never be forgotten. Her dedication, compassion, determination, and love for this department and community will forever hold a special place in our hearts.
On behalf of the Oakdale Police Department, we extend our sincerest condolences. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family, friends, and everyone who had the privilege of knowing and working alongside her.
Once a part of our law enforcement family, always a part of our law enforcement family.
Rest easy, Shirley. Your watch has ended, but your service, accomplishments, and legacy will never be forgotten. You answered your final call here on earth, and we will forever be grateful for the 20 years you dedicated to answering ours.
💙🖤 You will never be forgotten.
With deepest sympathy,
From the Entire Oakdale Police Department and Chief Kevin Johnson
