When I needed a hand, a sheriff’s deputy was ready to step up

I was on a step stool trying to throw a sheet over my bedroom window when I heard a noise outside.

I peeked out before I went out and was relieved to find one of Altadena’s finest checking out my backyard. The Sheriff’s Department has been providing this service since the fires two months ago to those of us not back in our homes yet.

After two months, I was familiar with the drill and went inside to get my driver’s license for ID. My car was parked in the driveway and he had already...