Behind the Badge
Michelle Estrada joined Garden Grove Police Department’s explorer program when she was 16. And now, at age 21, she’s one of the newest members of the agency’s sworn officers.
She, along with Officer Brad Stene and Officer Jason Muro, officially became part of the GGPD at a swearing-in ceremony at the Garden Grove Community Meeting Center on Aug. 23.
“This is the best police department in the county of Orange, flat out,” GGPD Chief Todd Elgin said as he welcomed and thanked family and colleagues there to celebrate the newest hires. “And we’re going to get better.”
Garden Grove Police Chief Todd Elgin introduces the three new officers being sworn in to the department.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
He called up each of the officers, telling the audience a little about each of them, before they had their badges pinned by a family member.
Estrada, who has a psychology degree from Cal State Fullerton, was a GGPD explorer from age 16 to 19.
“Through that time, I was able to get different leadership positions there,” she told Behind the Badge, adding that she eventually became an explorer lieutenant.
Michelle Estrada has her new Garden Grove PD badge pinned on her by her mother, Monica Monsanto, during a swearing-in ceremony.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
She then was hired as a cadet. In that role, she assisted the Youth Services Unit and the Gang Suppression Unit.
The Garden Grove native is very excited about her new job. She said that she looked up a great deal to all her advisors at the agency – and now she’s part of the agency officially.
Garden Grove PD Officer Michelle Estrada gets a hug from her mother, Monica Monsanto, during a swearing-in ceremony.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
“It’s almost surreal,” she said. “It’s me that’s going to be out in the field.”
Muro is a lateral transfer from Tustin Police Department, where he worked for 11 years – including assignments on the firearms unit, Special Response Team, SWAT team and as a Field Training Officer. He also served in the U.S. Marine Corps for eight years, attaining the rank of sergeant.
“My dad was a police officer for almost 30 years,” he told BTB. “Growing up, he was kind of my hero.”
Garden Grove Police Chief Todd Elgin, left, introduces the three new officers being sworn in to the department during a ceremony at the Garden Grove Community Meeting Center.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
He said he feels blessed with this opportunity to join the GGPD. And once he establishes himself at the agency, he does have an assignment he’d like to pursue.
“I’d like to get into narcotics – that’s always been a dream of mine,” he said.
Prior to deciding to join law enforcement, Stene was an EMT for nine years. He worked for Care Ambulance Service, which covered Garden Grove. But he’s had his sights set on law enforcement for a while. He said when he was growing up in Garden Grove, he wanted to become a police officer. But he shifted over to the firefighter/medic track around high school.
Jason Muro has his new Garden Grove PD badge pinned on him by his wife, Marisa, during a swearing-in ceremony.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
“I always wanted to be a police officer,” Stene told BTB. “Anytime I would answer a call, I always had the drive to do what the police officers were doing. … Being a police officer was always something that intrigued me.”
He’s looking forward to his new job, and feels his background as an EMT can help him do his job better.
“You have a different way of talking to people,” he said of his time as an EMT. “I think it’s a benefit more than anything.”
Garden Grove PD Officer Jason Muro gets a hug from his 7-year-old son, Isaac, after receiving his Garden Grove badge during a swearing-in ceremony.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Brad Stene receives his new Garden Grove PD badge during a swearing-in ceremony.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Garden Grove’s new police officers (from left) Jason Muro, Michelle Estrada and Brad Stene are introduced during a swearing-in ceremony.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Swearing-in ceremony for Garden Grove’s newest officers, Brad Stene, Jason Muro and Michelle Estrada, right, at the Garden Grove Community Meeting Center.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
(From left) Jason Muro, Brad Stene and Michelle Estrada are sworn in as Garden Grove’s newest police officers.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Garden Grove PD Officer Michelle Estrada, center, a “home grown” officer serving as an explorer for the department, stands with other Garden Grove PD explorers during Estrada’s swearing-in ceremony.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Garden Grove PD officers gather with two Tustin PD officers and Garden Grove’s newest officers, Jason Muro, Brad Stene and Michelle Estrada, at the conclusion of a swearing-in ceremony.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
