Retired Sheriff’s Deputy Kathy Ostrum recently reunited with her Marin County law enforcement family. It was her first visit to the Sheriff’s Department since a devastating spinal cord injury in June.
Kathy, a Fairfax resident and 22-year veteran of the force, was badly hurt after a freak accident at her grandchild’s graduation in Eureka. Her journey back hasn’t been easy, but her return to the department felt genuinely moving—a real moment of community and resilience.
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A Life of Service in Marin County
Kathy Ostrum served Marin County law enforcement for over two decades. She trained many deputies and became a trusted mentor along the way.
People knew her for sharp instincts, compassion, and a sense of humor that could break any tension. She patrolled everywhere from Novato to Sausalito, leaving her mark on the department’s culture.
After retiring, Kathy enjoyed time with family between San Rafael and Mill Valley. She stayed active in the community, and her close ties made her injury hit especially hard across Marin’s public safety network.
The Accident That Changed Everything
In June, while celebrating her grandchild’s graduation in Eureka, Kathy slipped and fell. The accident could’ve happened to anyone, but it led to a bone spur puncturing her spinal column and left her with limited movement in her hands and feet.
She got airlifted to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital for emergency care. Since then, she’s pushed through months of tough rehabilitation in the North Bay.
Strength, Humor, and an Unbreakable Spirit
Even with her injury, Kathy refuses to let her spirit break. “You can’t keep an old bird down,” she joked, flashing the wit her friends from Tiburon to Larkspur love her for.
She hasn’t shed a tear over her condition and prefers to focus on recovery and gratitude. That attitude says a lot about who she is.
Support from the Marin Law Enforcement Family
The Marin County Sheriff’s Association, led by President Justin Swift, stepped up to help their colleague. Swift, who called Kathy a “tough cookie,” credited her for training many deputies now working everywhere from Greenbrae to Belvedere.
- They built an ADA-compliant ramp at Kathy’s home so she could get in and out more easily.
- They donated $5,000 to help cover recovery expenses.
- Deputies have kept up regular visits and offered moral support.
During her recent visit to the department’s headquarters in San Rafael, deputies lined up to greet her. There were hugs, laughter, and stories before they presented the check.
The day showed just how close-knit Marin’s law enforcement community really is. Retirement doesn’t break those bonds.
Moving Forward on the Road to Recovery
Kathy left that day in an ADA-equipped van, smiling and offering encouragement to everyone she met. She’s determined to keep up with therapy and regain as much independence as she can.
Her drive inspires not just law enforcement, but the whole Marin County community—from the shops in Fairfax to the waterfront in Sausalito.
Why Her Story Resonates in Marin
Marin County has always had a strong sense of community. Ostrum’s story really captures that spirit.
It’s a reminder of the bonds people build through years of service. Folks across the county rally to support their own when it matters most.
Headlines so often divide us these days, but this story pulls people together. From Novato to Bolinas—everyone feels it.
Right now, Kathy’s focusing on her rehab. If her long career taught us anything, it’s that she’ll tackle this challenge with the same grit and heart she brought to protecting Marin County streets for over twenty years.
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Here is the source article for this story: Marin County deputies rally to help a retired deputy injured in a fall
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