My law enforcement career started in 1988 as a reserve patrolman for the Wentzville Missouri Police Department. I worked part-time for the police department for one year in return for being sponsored through the St. Charles County Law Enforcement Training Center for my basic police academy training.

On January 1, 1989 I was hired as a full-time deputy sheriff with the Warren County Sheriff’s Department. Over the next several years I realized I had found a place to call home, both professionally and personally. I fell in love with the job, the department, the community, and the county. Even at an early stage in my career, I felt such a strong degree of personal contentment that I’ve never given any serious consideration to moving away from Warren County or leaving the Sheriff's Department.

During my twenty-four years with the Warren County Sheriff's Department I have held every rank from Patrol Deputy, Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain, and Major. I have worked all the assignments within the department ranging from Patrol Deputy, D.A.R.E. Officer, Shift Supervisor, Patrol Commander, Jail Administrator, Drug Task Force Supervisor, and Chief Deputy.

In November of 2004 I was elected to the Office of Sheriff, and have been serving since January 2005.