Medford, Ore.– Karen Greenstein was loved by many in the community. But it’s her husband, daughter, and dogs her daughter said she loved the most.

Greenstein worked to protect others for nearly 20 years as an emergency dispatcher. But early Thursday morning she was driving to her Ashland home from work and a wrong way driver hit and killed her on I-5.

“It’s abnormal to have somebody die in a situation like this it’s not something that happens everyday here,” said Fred Saada, Chaplain with the Jackson county Sheriff’s office.

He’s now helping Greenstein’s co-worker’s at Emergency Communications of Southern Oregon grieve.

“It’s really a ministry of presence a lot of times we’ll just be there and if somebody wants to talk we can talk with them.”

In a statement Thursday, Margie Moulin, the Director of ECSO said Greenstein was witty, humorous, and an outstanding dispatcher.

She won “dispatcher of the year” in 2011.

Moulin said the dispatch center is broken hearted over the tragedy. She said Greenstein was an extraordinary person and a skilled dispatcher who dedicated er life to helping others.

And said, “This a great loss for our entire community.”

A woman who lived for community but most of all for the family she loved.

The accident is under investigation, the other driver Richard Scott is in the hospital in Portland.

Police said they’re moving forward with a criminal investigation and charges against Scott.