A Retired Police Captain - Turned Historical Fiction Novelist
Born and raised in Seattle, I have deep roots in the community and chose to serve in the US Navy during the Vietnam War. After returning stateside, I joined local law enforcement and served the Seattle Police Department (SPD) from 1968 to 2018. It was during the last years of my tenure as captain that I reignited my love for literature and decided to write my books in a genre that I adore — murder mysteries. This passion helped me carve a path to becoming a best-selling historical fiction novelist.
Literary Works
Aside from having literary works featured in academic journals like The Human Prospect: A Neo-Humanist Perspective, I am also proud to have published murder, mystery, and crime novels, such as:
- Thick As Thieves (2008)
- Sign of The Dragon (2009)
- Unreasonable Persuasion (2010)
- Unholy Alliance (2011)
- Deadly Attraction (2012)
- Theater of The Crime (2013)
- Wages of Sin (2015)
- Crazy Love (2020)
Educational Background
In the Academe
I earned an associate degree in law enforcement with an emphasis on juvenile justice from Bellevue College in 1977. Then, I graduated cum laude while earning my bachelor’s degree in comparative US Studies from the University of Washington Bothell (UWB) in 2003. Years later, I was proud to be selected as UWB’s distinguished alumnus for 2019.
Professional Training
In 1984, I attended the SPD’s week-long sergeants’ school to learn and train for that position. Two years later, I went to a three-day gang conference in San Diego and attended a regional three-day course that my detectives hosted in Seattle. I also participated in a week-long commanders’ school after my promotion to lieutenant in 1994.
I have also received advanced firearms training locally and attended classes on gun violence, gun tracking, and sexual assaults by the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) in Alexandria, VA. Moreover, I used to shoot competitively for SPD’s Pistol Team and qualified yearly, typically as a Distinguished Master.
Work Experience
Throughout my career in the police department, I had the opportunity to work in nearly every aspect of the organization. In addition to my regular duties, I chaired domestic violence committees and charity work.
Timeline of Highlights Throughout My Career
While a juvenile detective, I was assigned TAD to the Homicide Unit to work on the Wah Mee Massacre Team. I became SPD’s first gang detective and chose other detectives for the unit. As one of the charter members of SPD’s original Gang Squad, I helped lay the foundation for developing the Gang and Juvenile Sections and later commanded these units.
I served as the Commander of the Juvenile Unit, the Seattle Team for Youth (STFY), and Options, Choices, and Consequences (OCC). After attending a two-day school shooting seminar sponsored by Gaven de Becker in LA, I began working on SPD’s active school shooter protocol.
While a lieutenant, I was appointed as the Commander of the Special Assault Unit and Sex Offender Registration Detail, serving as the acting Captain for the DV and Sexual Assault Section.
I became the Commander of the Gender and Age Crimes Division, which took on cases involving domestic violence (DV), sexual assault, elder abuse, child abuse, and sex offender detail, while also frequently serving as the acting Assistant Chief of Investigations.
While serving as the Deputy Director of SPD’s OPA, I was also the OPA-IS captain. I oversaw police misconduct investigations, worked with the civilian Director of OPA, consulted with the SPD Chief on discipline matters, presented cases to the Chief and the Discipline Board, and met with City Council members alongside the OPA Director to brief them on police investigations.
Amidst my duties in SPD’s Office of Police Accountability (OPA), I was also the Interim Director of the Office of Professional Accountability in Internal Affairs.
I served as the Captain of the Violent Crimes Division, which included Homicide and Assault, Robbery, Crime Scene Investigation (CSI), Gangs, and Fugitive Apprehension. As Captain of this division, I oversaw the work of victim advocates and assorted detectives, some of whom I loaned to different task forces.
I became SPD’s first-ever Commander of the Office of Ethics and Professional Responsibility.
I served as the Commander of the Advanced Training Unit, which included the Range and Emergency Vehicle Operations training. As part of my responsibilities, I attended a Cultural Diversity training at the Simon Wiesenthal Center in LA and was asked to come back for its inaugural “Train the Trainer” session later on. I then worked as a liaison to bring their training programs to the Seattle area.
I became the Metropolitan Rapid Response Commander, commanding the SWAT, Harbor Patrol, K-9, and Crisis Intervention teams.
After becoming the permanent Night Duty Commander, I was responsible for all police emergency responses to crises, disasters, and severe crimes during evening hours. I was also considered the SPD’s commander-in-charge during my shifts so the Police Chief could sleep nights or leave town on business.
I became the Metropolitan Rapid Response Commander for a second time. However, the responsibilities of commanding teams like SWAT, Harbor Patrol, K-9, and Crisis Intervention have expanded to include Homeland Security and Special Police Operations Center. I also coordinate with the Secret Service and the FBI.
My last years at the SPD were spent serving as the permanent Night Duty Commander once again. I commanded all police emergency responses to crises, disasters, and serious crimes during the late afternoon and nighttime hours.
Committee Involvements
- Juvenile Justice Operation Master Plan Workgroup Committee
- Executive Committee for Juvenile Drug Court
- Seattle Police Department and King County Sheriff and Chief’s School Anti-Violence Committee
- Sexual Assault Network Executive and Planning Committees
- Domestic Violence Committee
- Violence Against Women’s Act (VAWA) Executive and Planning Committees
- King County Child Death Review Committee
Significant Incidents or Arrests
- 1968 – I got shot at by a sniper while working as a police cadet inside the South Precinct.
- 1972 – Fresh from the police academy, I avoided the offender’s stabbing attempts and successfully shot him when he tried to kill my partner.
- 1978 – While working an undercover vice operation I crossed paths with a large male assaulting and robbing a street prostitute. He pulled a knife and tried to stab me for interrupting him. I was in plain clothes and didn’t have access to my badge or weapon. I was able to distract him so his victim could get free, but then I had to run for my life to avoid his knife thrusts.
- October 1979 – In a case involving car chases, a shootout, and the wounding of a police officer, I helped arrest seven King County Jail escapees, including their ringleader.
- February 1983 – I worked on the Security Team involving the Wah Mee Massacre for six months.
Becoming a Professional Consultant
Following my 2018 retirement after fifty years in police work, I continue to share my cumulative expertise with attorneys and police agencies on complex legal cases nationwide. I have offered a unique perspective as a field commander, trainer, and accountability expert both in-person and through written correspondence.
Thanks to my successful partnership with former Seattle Legal Advisor Leo Poort, I have been recommended to former prosecutor Doug Cloud, who practices in Thurston County. He won a large civil liability case against the City of Roy for a shooting involving an officer who shot two unarmed men driving a four-wheeler down a closed railway line during a deep snow.
The City of Des Moines, Iowa, contacted me to help them defend against a lawsuit against them and their police department for their “overly aggressive” targeted policing of a nuisance business which was proving to be a drain on police services. The agency files revealed drug dealing, over service of inebriates, noise disturbances, and shootings in and around the establishment. I helped the City Attorney prepare a documented legal response that demonstrated that their officers were utilizing best practices from the Community Policing model for correcting chronic problems.
Personal Life
I had the pleasure of coaching children’s soccer and baseball in my local community, helping PTA committees out on a few projects, and aiding my neighborhood landscape committee.
Volunteer Work
- I was a Senior Staff Writer and an Editorial Board Member for the University of Washington Bothell’s Commons newspaper.
- From 1978 to the 1990s, I volunteered as a photographer at the Bacon Bowl, Seattle and Tacoma PD’s police football charity event.
- I served on the Seattle Police Chaplains’ Association Board of Directors from 1987 to 2014, taking on roles such as secretary, treasurer, vice president, and president.
- For over 15 years, I was the Chairperson of the Seattle Police Torch Run for Special Olympics.
- I co-chaired the Greater Puget Sound Domestic Violence Conference committees twice.
- In my second year as a co-chairperson for the Greater Puget Sound Domestic Violence Conference committees, I was also the emcee at the event.
- I am a founding member and co-chairperson of the Juvenile Domestic Violence (DV) and Sexual Harassment workgroup.