Caroline Burau grew up in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, where she learned how to waterski, write dark poems, and chase boys.

She graduated White Bear Lake High School in 1991, then spent the next year traveling the states in a broken down Buick and learning some lessons they don’t teach in any schools.

In 1992, Caroline came to her senses (as much as an 18-year-old can), moved back in with her parents, and enrolled in community college. Two years later, she’d meet Jim Burau, who would give her his name, his life, and a really beautiful pawn shop engagement ring.

Caroline graduated the University of St. Thomas in May 1999 with a degree in print journalism. She toiled about the weekly newspaper circuit for a few years, working for peanut shells and writing about fence ordinances. Disillusioned with the scoop mentality of print media, she applied for a job as a 911 dispatcher with the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Department.

Caroline wrote her first book, Answering 911: Life in the Hot Seat about the two years she spent there while subsequently dispatching for the White Bear Lake Police and Fire departments. She continues to dispatch emergencies part time.