Sarah Essen (New Earth)

Born in Chicago, Sarah Essen endeavored to become a police officer. After achieving the rank of sergeant, she transferred to Gotham City where she became romantically involved with Lt. James Gordon. Sarah knew that James was married with a son on the way, and she soon brought the affair to a close. Unable to work with Jim any longer, she put in a transfer to New York City.

Years later, Sarah returned to Gotham and resumed her romance with the now-divorced Jim Gordon. By this point, Jim had become Commissioner of the Gotham City Police Department and the two were eventually wed. Jim temporarily resigned his position so that he could pursue a career in local politics. To fill the vaccuum, Sarah took his place and operated as the city's newest Commissioner Gordon.

During a chain of events that has come to be known as No Mans Land, the Joker assassinated Sarah Essen. Devastated by her death, Commissioner Gordon apprehended the Joker shooting him in the leg.