POLICE DISPATCHER WHO HELPED OTHERS NOW ON RECEIVING END.

Byline: Jesse Hiestand Daily News Staff Writer

Whether dispatching police to emergencies or organizing holiday food drives, Sandi Westerberg always put others first, colleagues say.

Now those who worked alongside her at the Ventura County Sheriff's Department are planning a charity barbecue Sunday to raise money for Westerberg, who was recently diagnosed with terminal cancer.

``Sandi always gave of herself,'' said sheriff's Capt. Bill Montijo. ``This is something we in the department are doing for her because she was always doing for others.''

The benefit is expected to help Westerberg and her husband, Roger, with medical and other bills facing the Fillmore couple.

Sandi Westerberg worked as a sheriff's dispatcher for about 18 years, mostly at the East Valley station in Thousand Oaks, until retiring two years ago with a back injury, Montijo said.

Back pain sent her to a doctor two months ago for possible surgery.

Instead, she was diagnosed with cancer that had spread to her lungs and jaw, he said. She is currently undergoing chemotherapy to try to keep the disease from spreading, but the cancer has been deemed terminal, Montijo said.

Friends and former co-workers were shocked at the news, he said, especially since the Westerbergs already had experienced tragedy in the loss of their two sons in separate crashes.

``Sandi's just one of those kinds of people who go out of their way for everyone else,'' sheriff's dispatcher Joan Carter said Monday.

Westerberg got the department involved in the ``Make A Wish'' program that seeks to fulfill the dreams of children with terminal diseases.

And in 1991, Westerberg organized a canned food and toy collection drive at the East Valley sheriff's station, a tradition that continues each year.

``She would spend a month organizing the Christmas drive and then go out on some of the deliveries and if there wasn't enough to go around she and her husband would go out and buy a bike or a coat to make sure the child had something,'' said sheriff's spokeswoman Karen Portlock.

Portlock and others also recall that Westerberg was an excellent dispatcher who worked her way up to supervisor. Once, early in her career, Westerberg gave emergency medical instructions over the telephone that helped a mother save her child's life, Portlock said.

Friends say Westerberg initially resisted the idea of the benefit because she felt there were others who were in greater need, Carter said.

``She can't believe so many people are putting this thing together,'' Carter said. ``She is amazed she has so many friends.''

The Benefit for Sandi and Roger Westerberg will be held from noon to dusk Sunday at the Veterans Memorial Building in Fillmore, 511 Second St.

Tickets can be purchased at the door or in advance by calling Jane Ferguson at the Fillmore Police Department, 524-2235. Tickets are $15 for adults and $7.50 for children.