I have been continuously active in public safety since 1982. I started my public safety career as a volunteer firefighter of the City of Kendallville ( Indiana ) Fire Dept. The Kendallville fire Dept. was, and still is a combination department, having both full time and volunteer firefighters. While on the fire department I served, at various time periods, as part-time apparatus driver/operator, as an emergency medical first responder, on the department's hazardous materials team, and was one of several certified training instructors. During my tenure I achieved state certifications of Master Instructor, Master Firefighter (with a specialty in Strategy and Tactics), Certified Emergency Medical first Responder, and a national certification level as Instructor 1. I retired from the department in March of 1998.
I was hired by the Indiana State Police (ISP) as a telecommunications operator (dispatcher) in November of 1987 for the Fort Wayne Post. ISP's Fort Wayne District encompasses 9 northeast counties, and was (and remains) one of the 3 largest districts in the state. I was promoted to telecommunications specialist (dispatcher supervisor) at the Fort Wayne Post in early 1994. I was one of few supervisors involved in assisting in development, and implementing an agency wide Communications Training Officer program, and an Emergency Medical dispatch program. I served as Fort Wayne's Post's dispatcher supervisor, and IDACS ( Indiana Data Communications system) Coordinator for 3 years, until early 1997, when I took a voluntary demotion back to dispatcher. During my tenure with the state police, I achieved certifications as an Emergency Medical Technician, Communications Training Officer, Emergency Medical Dispatch Instructor, and American Heart Association CPR Instructor. I served with ISP until March of 1998.
I was hired as a full time Deputy marshal for the Waterloo Marshal's Department in February of 1998. I graduated in the 135th class of the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy in December of 1998. I have attended specialized training in such areas as drug interdiction, building searches, high risk warrant service, bombs and hazardous devices, advanced interview and interrogation techniques, as well as many others. I currently serve as the department's training officer. I am state certified as a slaw enforcement Generalist Instructor, and Physical Tactics Instructor. I am also a certified breath test operator, and certified STOPS Instructor.