I have to say that during the 4 years that I was with the program, I had a lot of great experiences and a lot of fond memories.  Growing up as the son of a police officer can be difficult, but Mark and the Explorer Program helped me out and I was able to meet others who were interested in a career in Law Enforcement.  It made life a bit easier to deal with.

As for me, I remember Mark hounding my father, who was a police officer with HHPD, about getting me to join.  I attended my first meeting when I was 15 and loved it.  I was hooked.  That was back in the old days when the PD was located on Brandt Pike next to Station 22.  We met in the basement.  After a few years there, we moved to Kitty Hawk Elementary where we held our meetings and trainings.  In 1988 we went to the National Conference in Boston.  I think that I still have some of my certificates.  The National Conference was a great experience. 

During my time with the Explorers, I was a Corporal, Sergeant, Act. Lt. and then the Post Captain.  Mark was a great inspiration and mentor.  At the time, it was a toss up between being a police officer or a firefighter since dad was both and I grew up in the fire house.  But I realized that my calling was as a police officer and I devoted all of my efforts to becoming a police officer.  Mark helped me see that.

 

 

 

 Life After an Explorer...

I graduated from WHS in 1988 and I attended the Police Academy at Sinclair Community College in 1991 and started my first cop job at the Village of Waynesville as a reserve officer.  I was at Waynesville PD for 16 months until I was hired at Wright State University PD (WSUPD) in 1992.  I was also an auxiliary officer with Mad River Twp. (not Riverside) PD for 4 months before I was hired at WSUPD.  I received my Associate of Applied Science Degree in Law Enforcement in 1991 from Sinclair Community College.

Since my employment with WSUPD in 1992, I have held the ranks of Corporal, Sergeant and now Senior Sergeant.  I am the FTO Supervisor and also in charge of EMS Supply and support.  Currently I am assigned to our Patrol Operations Division as the 2nd Shift Sergeant.  I am also currently assigned to assist with Investigations.  In addition to this, I am a Level I certified Firefighter, EMT-B, Fire Safety Inspector and Assistant Fire Instructor.  I was with the Sugarcreek Twp. FD for 10 years and was a part-time Lt. for 3 years assigned to the Fire Operations Division.  I am also an part-time Assistant Fire Instructor at Sinclair Community College. 

As an addition to my bio, I have an 8 year old son from a previous marriage and I just got remarried 5 months ago.  I am currently living in Dayton and planning on moving to Enon.  My current wife and I have been together for over 3 years now and she has a 13 year old son from her previous marriage.  My wife has been a Property Damage Adjustor for an Insurance Company for the last 10 years and 2 weeks ago, she transferred to the Automotive Damage Division for the same company.