MCCLELLAN, Calif. — "Effortlessly beautiful, effortlessly brave and strong."
That's how Latasha Kelvin described Davis Police Officer Natalie Corona, killed in the line of duty Thursday night.
Kelvin became a close friend to Corona when the pair went through the Police Academy at the Northern California Regional Public Safety Training Authority in McClellan, just northeast of Sacramento.
"The academy by far was not easy for her and the majority of my class would argue and say that she had it probably the hardest," said Kelvin. "She walked into something that I don't think she knew everything that was coming her way and regardless of that she still walked."
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Kelvin said Corona did not have the physical attributes to pass the rigorous 24-week academy, but said the young trainee had undeniable determination.
Kelvin and Corona went through the McClellan-based academy from January to June of 2018.
Cpl. Brian Laird, who has trained recruits at the academy for four years, also helped train Officer Corona. He said she had grit like no other.
"Very rarely does a recruit have such an impact on staff. She came here. There was nothing that was going to occur that was going to prevent her from achieving this dream," said Laird.
Kelvin said one of Corona's most memorable attributes was to be selfless and to give to others.
"I learned how to be there for someone else from her. She taught me how to be a better person," said Kelvin, who is now a patrol officer with the Sacramento Police Department.
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