I decided to make Law Enforcement my life when I was about eight years old. I remember always playing the Sheriff when we would play "cops and robbers". As I grew up I decided to serve my country by joining the Army in 1985. While in the Army I served in a combat enviroment during the Panama Invasion in 1989. I also got married and was blessed with a beautiful baby boy. Later I would have another son. Upon my Honorable Discharge from the Army I decided to move to Georgia and begin my Law Enforcement career. I became a Police Officer with the Athens-Clarke County Police Department in Athens, Georgia. I had the desire to enter college and obtain my BA in Criminal Justice when I got out of the Army, unfortunately I was also a father and felt I had to make the care of my family my new priority.

Over the years I have attained various leadership positions while a Police Officer to include a promotion to the Detectives Division. As a Detective I was assigned to the Domestic Violence Unit. While assigned to that unit I was awarded the Advocate of the Year Award in the state of Georgia in 1992.

Currently, I am a Federal Agent with the Department of Homeland Security. I am proud of my career achievments and know that I have achieved many of my goals as well as gained the respect of my peers, Judges and District Attorneys, but a choice I made many years ago has come back to haunt me. The choice not to persue my college education when I got out of the Army has proven to be a roadblock in my career path. Although I am proud to have been the father I was, and raise my children to the best of my ability, I feel that making the decision not to attend college earlier has slowed my progression which is why I am now making the decision to attend college and obtain my BA in Criminal Justice.

I feel I can contribute to the field of Law Enforcement is so many ways. Through the years I have worked on many different investigations and experienced many situations. My experience will be a very valuable asset. My experience has proven to be invaluable to many of my peers and supervisors. I am always looking for opportunities to teach or provide advice to others in need. I know that with a degree I will be able to continue my climb up the career ladder and make my way into the supervisory ranks. As a supervisor I will further contribute to the legal world by teaching my subordinates the proper way to conduct Law Enforcement business, as well as maintain the professional character of the Law Enforecment community which the people of the United States both require and deserve.

I have always lived by one motto, and that motto is, "lead by example". As a college graduate I will finally be in a position to lead and therefore be the best example to my fellow law enforcement professionals. The two most important persons I hope to influence would be my two beautiful boys. My sons are, and always will be, my motivation. They keep me focused and provide me with the energy to keep moving forward. I would consider my life a success if the lives of my children were a success. Both are already dreaming of following their dad into the field of Law Enforcement. Knowing I was an influence in their lives, and my teachings and examples helped them to develop into two very professional and dedicated officers would be the best contribution I could give to law enforcement.