Sarah Essen (Gotham)

Sarah Essen is a character in the series Gotham. She was the Captain of the Gotham City Police Department and one of James Gordon's most trusted allies. She is played by Zabryna Guevara in the first season and the beginning of the second season.

Captain of the GCPD
Sarah Essen first appeared as the Captain of the GCPD. Although she appeared just as corrupt as many of the police officers, this was in order to protect her family as the mob boss Carmine Falcone was allied with the police department. She is also aware of James Gordon "killing" Oswald Cobblepot, and has to be assured by Bullock that Gordon is with the "program" and not going to cause trouble.

After it is revealed Gordon didn't kill Cobblepot, Falcone sent his trusted enforcer Victor Zsasz to collect Gordon. Although the police backed down in the presence of Zsasz, Sarah showed her loyalty to him by refusing to back down and wanting to stand by Gordon's side. But Gordon assured her to go as he didn't want to put anyone else in danger, and she reluctantly left. Gordon managed to escape Zsasz, and was later spared by Falcone.

When corrupt detective Arnold Flass murdered a witness to his drug operation inside the GCPD, Gordon decided to arrest him despite Flass having his own crew and believing he was untouchable. But Sarah stood by Gordon, and had Flass arrested and incarnated. Due to this action she had to watch out for her own back, and assured Gordon and Bullock to do the same.

After a mob war breaks out between Falcone and Maroni, Sarah announces it to the police officers. The conflict is later dealt with after Falcone retires, Sal Maroni and Fish Mooney are killed and Oswald Cobblepot ends up becoming the most powerful crime boss in Gotham.

Becoming Commissioner
Sarah stands by Gordon when Commissioner Loeb decides to fire him for "attacking" a police officer (which was a small tap). Gordon later gets Cobblepot to help him get his job back, which leads to Cobblepot and Zsasz breaking into Loeb's home and threatening him to reinstate Gordon, but also quit as commissioner. Sarah is promoted to commissioner, and assures Gordon they will clean up things in Gotham.

Death
However the job as commissioner is short lived when a gang named the "Maniax" led by Jerome Valeska attack the GCPD. Sarah is tied up and threatened by Jerome, but she stands her ground, spits in his face and headbutts Jerome in the face. She ends up injured during the conflict, and later passes away.