Where did you serve and what did you do?
US Navy 1971-1991 Ships, shore, Seabees.
How are you #StillServing?
I always wanted to go into law enforcement but I missed my chance to go to the Dallas PD when I retired in 1991 because of my wife’s illness. So, I started an investigation company and we did so well that I had it until 2009 when I sold it to take care of my wife’s fight with cancer. I traveled the world for about 5 years and met another remarkable woman but she wanted to live in North Central Arkansas near the trout fishing capital of the world. Flippin, Arkansas. So I joined the local VFD and one day responding to a fire a local deputy was present. We started talking about the deputy reserve program so I applied and went through reserve school. I had no intention of working full time but after graduating from reserve class which was strictly voluntary service, I was offered a full-time job in the Criminal Investigations Division.
That was Sept 11, 2017. To remain a full-time deputy I had to go through the police academy to get certified. Aug 21, 2018, I entered the police academy on my 65th birthday. A class of 60 and 59 of them were in their 20’s. 1 1/2 mile runs daily, 3 hours in the gym daily, God-awful burpees, push-ups, pull-ups, and hand to hand combat. But I made it.
After 3 months I was chosen class speaker and made the dean’s list. In the last year, I’ve certified as a Certified Economic Crime Forensic Examiner and a Certified Cyber Criminal Investigator. I investigate crimes against seniors, especially financial crimes. All I can say is had I started way back when I was a youngster I could be starring on Hawaii Five-0 by now. However, for now, I’m with the Marion County Sheriff’s Dept, Arkansas and I fish the White River.
Why do you do it?
I always wanted to be a cop, it was a bucket list thing, I’m helping to protect our seniors and community and I didn’t have to go out to sea to do it.