About Me

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I began working during high school at Dairy Queen at the Royal Gorge and at Ready’s Ice Company. Those jobs taught me the value of hard work, but I quickly realized they were not my long-term path. Before turning 17, I earned my commercial driver’s license and, while still in high school, drove a truck for Ready’s. During my junior and senior years, I also participated in ride-alongs with the Cañon City Police Department and the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office. It was then that I discovered my purpose: serving others meaningfully. I learned early that law enforcement is not just a job. It was, and is, a calling.

After graduating in 1993, I enrolled in the Criminal Justice program at Pueblo Community College and graduated from the police academy at the age of 20. Despite being told I was too young to succeed, I graduated second in my class. Shortly after earning my Colorado POST certification, I served as a reserve officer with the Florence Police Department, working night shifts and gaining valuable real-world experience alongside Officer Toby Bethel.

In 1996, I was hired by the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office. The pay was $8.25 per hour. This was the lowest pay of any law enforcement agency in the county, but I chose to serve here because this is my home. I began my career in the jail and inmate transportation unit, where I learned that the concerns of those in custody are often the same concerns shared by families across our community: safety, family, finances, and dignity.

I later transferred to patrol, where I worked county roads and neighborhoods, often without immediate backup. After several years, I was promoted to Patrol Sergeant while continuing to serve on specialized teams, including SWAT and bike patrol, which allowed me to engage directly with the community at local events.

In 2002, I joined the Cañon City Police Department. While this decision was driven by the need for long-term financial stability, my commitment to Fremont County never wavered. I accepted a position and a four-cent-per-hour pay increase to continue serving locally. As a city officer, I experienced the contrast between municipal and rural policing and immediately understood both the benefits of immediate backup and the realities faced by deputies who may wait extended periods for help.

In 2005, I was assigned to investigations. What began as an unexpected assignment became my professional calling. For 13 years as a detective and Detective Sergreant, I focused primarily on crimes against children and major violent crimes, including homicides. I received specialized training in trauma-informed forensic interviewing to protect victims while pursuing justice. I was also part of the creation of a multi-agency investigations team that strengthened cooperation between local law enforcement agencies.  

During this time, I helped build a Regional Response Team composed of law enforcement, fire, medical, and hazardous materials professionals from across southern Colorado. The team responded to critical incidents and high-risk situations and never failed a mission—because of disciplined leadership, shared accountability, and each team member's unwavering focus on public safety.

Over nearly three decades, I have responded to almost every major crisis in Fremont County. I have been present at officer-involved shootings, fatal crashes, homicides, and moments of unimaginable tragedy. I was the first responder the night Deputy Jason Schwartz was murdered, when multiple officers were ambushed while protecting this community. I have also led or assisted in investigations that brought justice in some of the most devastating cases our county has ever faced.

I understand the Sheriff’s Office budget, its limitations, and the real-world impact those constraints have on staffing, morale, and public safety. When I was hired in 1996, the Sheriff’s Office was the lowest-paying law enforcement agency in the county, and unfortunately, it remains so today. What has never changed is the dedication of the men and women who make up the office, serving this great community daily. 

I have had opportunities to leave for higher pay and larger agencies. I chose not to. My family is here. My roots are here. My commitment has always been to Fremont County.

I began my law enforcement career here, and I intend to finish it here. In 2026, I will mark 30 years of service to this community. I still have many years ahead, and I ask for your trust to ensure those years are guided by professionalism, accountability, fiscal responsibility, and a deep respect for the people we serve.