| I am a licensed private investigator, security consultant, speaker, and author. I am also a part-time instructor for the International Association of Law Enforcement Intelligence Analysts (IALEIA). I received my bachelor’s degree in criminal justice administration and a master’s in organizational leadership from National University.
I had the privilege to spend over thirty years in the San Diego County government. In 2014, I retired as a Crime and Intelligence Analyst with the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department. It was a great career, and I was honored to work alongside a high caliber of individuals to help keep the citizens of San Diego safe. After one year of retirement, I was fortunate to return to support investigations. Two years later, I was the lead analyst on a major international heroin trafficking case. The case resulted in the multi-jurisdictional and successful take-down of 55 gang members and the removal of 25% of illegal heroin in North San Diego County. My career in the courts and criminal justice included the District Attorney, Public Defender, and Sheriff’s Department. At the DA’s Office, I was assigned to the Victim Witness Program and advocated for victims of violent crimes. After ten years of assisting in many prosecutions, I took a job as a Criminal Defense Investigator. While at the Department of the Public Defender, I investigated a high-profile school shooting case and received Investigator of the Year in 2002. Joining the Sheriff’s Department in 2007, brought me to a full circle in the County’s criminal justice arena. After retiring in 2020, I started a private Investigations and security consulting firm. In 2015, I joined the International Association of Women, (IAW) a professional association to support and network with other like-minded women. I was the IAW San Diego Chapter president for four years and stepped down in 2019 to focus on my book project. I have a passion to serve and believe in giving back to the community. I have been involved with many non-profits, such as The Princess Project, and currently serve on the boards of the San Diego Writer’s and Editors Guild and Drawing Across the Lines. My law enforcement training and experience have allowed me to gain the expertise to conduct threat assessments for the public and private sectors. I am excited to be a new author and working on my debut book, “The Imperfect Storm” which will be released at the end of 2024. |
About Edna Trigo
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
I am blessed with 3 adult children and 6 grandchildren. I find joy in being an active part of my grandchildren’s lives as much as possible.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
My current career as a private investigator is fulfilling because I can focus on significant cases for those who have no voice. For example, I recently worked on an elder abuse case and now the District Attorney has filed criminal charges. My past career in public safety and law enforcement had been a life-long dream. I was tackling tough cases from school shootings, and cold case homicides to death penalty cases. I also loved the intriguing world of criminal intelligence and was fortunate to be trained at the DEA Academy at Quantico. The training proved to be invaluable in combating organized criminal enterprises, human trafficking as well as counter-terrorism.
My future career is what I’m doing now in security consulting, PI work, speaking at conferences, and continuing to teach a 40-hour course for new criminal intelligence analysts.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Make a difference in your community by giving back or mentoring. The reward is a sense of knowing that you are helping to make our community a wonderful place to live.
For those who want to enter into law enforcement or public safety, I suggest applying for an internship or to be a student worker. Request to go on a ride-along with your local police patrol or shadow a detective or defense investigator. This will give you real-life exposure to what that career looks like.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
My goal is to have my debut book, The Unperfect Storm published and followed by a book series. I want to help make our schools safer for our children. It takes a village, and I want to be part of the solution in preventing school violence.
Edna Trigo & Our Community
Q: What are a few of your favorite restaurants in our community?
My favorite breakfast spot is Morning Glory in Little Italy if you can get a table on a busy Saturday morning after the Farmer’s Market. As a Chicago native, I found the best Italian Beef at Lefty’s Chicago Pizza in Mission Hills.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
As a Navy wife, I moved from Chicago to San Diego in the late 1970’s. I have lived all over San Diego County; National City, Spring Valley, Lemon Grove, Bonita, and Mission Valley. I have lived in Little Italy for 20 years and just recently relocated to San Carlos.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
Kelly Martinez, the first woman Sheriff of San Diego County. Sheriff Martinez is an inspiration to women who want to make a difference in our community. I had the honor of working with her in the Criminal Intelligence Detail when I started my position at the SDSD.
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
Cuatro Milpas in Barrio Logan for the best Mexican food this side of Baja. They’ve been there for over 50 years and nothing has changed.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
We are so lucky to have the city, beaches, desert, and mountains to choose from. I just don’t have one.
Depending on my mood, I like the downtown vibes for catching up with friends. Solo walks on the beaches in Coronado, La Jolla, or Del Mar. Finally, heading to the mountains for a week-end getaway.
Q: If you could choose anyone alive today and not a relative, with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would you meet for this lunch?
Actor, Jonathan Roumie. He plays Jesus in The Chosen and I would ask him how he prepared himself for that role. We would meet for lunch at Davanti’s in Little Italy.
For Fun
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
Any James Bond movie. The Closer or Bosch TV shows.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
When walking with my pug pal, I have to touch trees, plants, and flowers to get grounded.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
Yoga on the beach at the foot of Law Street in PB.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My grandchildren because they are our future.
Q: What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
Loose lips sink ships.
Q: What Neighborhood do you live in?
San Carlos
What I love about my Neighborhood:
Nature walks in the Mission Trails and eventually hiking Cowles Mountain.
Please describe your ideal San Diego weekend:
Saturday, Yoga at 10 am in PB. Then brunch at Tom Ham’s Light House. Sunday, morning hike in Mission Trails with pug pal, Chuy, then Church service at the Rock in Point Loma.
Q: Finally, what three words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Joy, cozy, and peace.
