• Investigate felony criminal cases
• Present felony cases for charges to prosecuting attorney
• Assist prosecuting attorney with evidence presentation in court
• Jointly investigate major crimes with investigative team
• Instruct department personnel on Family Violence, SIDS
• Child Trauma Team Investigator
• Public Speaking

I began my law enforcement experience as a patrol officer in January of 1979. Six months later I volunteered for a motorcycle officer position in Traffic Division. There I became a member of the Fatality Investigative Team. A new position, Hit & Run Investigator, was created and I began my investigative experience.

In July of 1981 I was reassigned to an undercover position in Detective Division's Vice, Intelligence and Narcotics Unit. Within a year I fulfilled my undercover assignments and was reassigned to Criminal Investigations. Investigations of child sexual abuse became the primary focus of my investigative career. Expanding that focus, I also successfully investigated a variety of other criminal activities; homicide, rape, robbery, battery, stalking, burglary, theft, child neglect, illegal obscenity, prostitution, and drug violation cases.

Since being qualified in 1985 to provide expert opinion testimony I have assisted prosecuting attorneys in Indiana and other states, testifying in criminal courts of Indiana, Kentucky and Arizona.

Additional responsibilities include instructing police officers on family violence, child abuse, sudden infant death and sexual assault investigations. Beyond training police officers I requently make presentations to university criminal justice, victimology and nursing classes.

In January of 2004 I recieved a promotion to the rank of Major upon accepting an appointment as the Administrative Assistant to the Chief of Police. These new responsibilities have taken me far from my investigative career as I am now the Chief Financial Officer of the police department.

• I.L.E.A. Certified Instructor in: Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse
• Court Certified Expert: Dynamics of Family Violence, Sexual Assault, Child Abuse, and Child Interviewing Techniques

• 1980 Commendation for Job Excellence: Lt. T. Richwine/Traffic Div.
• 1980 Commendation for Job Excellence: Inspector M. Saxon/Uniform Div.
• 1984 Letter of Recognition: J. Nimitz, Chief/Richmond Police Dept.
• 1984 Letter of Recognition: Executive Staff/APD/"Serial Molester" investigation
• 1984 Commendation for Investigative Assistance: G.Carmichael/Delaware Co. Sheriff
• 1984 Letter of Recognition: T. Broderick,Jr./Madison County Prosecutor's Office
• 1984 Commendation for Job Excellence: Execitive Staff/APD
• 1985 Commendation for Job Excellence: Child Abuse and Neglect Investigations
• 1985 Letter of Commendation: Madison County Prosecutor
• 1985 Commendation for Job Excellence: Executive Staff/APD/Child Molest Investigations
• 1985 Letter of Recognition: Sgt. L. Gwaltney/Det. Div.
• 1985 Commendation for Job Excellence: Board of Public Safety/"Habitual Molester Case"
• 1986 Letter of Recognition: Inspector W. Smith/APD
• 1989 Commendation for Job Excellence: Capt. L. Adams/Det. Div.
• 1994 Letter of Appreciation: Homicide Investigation:Jerry Baugh
• 1994 Letter of Recognition: Homicide Investigation:Erin McKenzie Homicide
• 1995 Letter of Recognition: R. Cummings/Madison County Prosecutor
• 2001 Letter of Recognition: R. Cummings/Prosecutor/Jessica Lyons Homicide

• 1981 Police Officer of the Year Nominee
• 1989 Law Officer of the Year Award: American Legion Post #127
• 1991 U.S. Department of Justice: Award for Public Service
• 1994 Law Officer of the Year Award: American Legion Post #127
• 2001 Certificate of Commendation: E. Leonard, Chief & American Legion Post #127
• 2008 Meritorious Service Award: Chief Darron Sparks & American Legion Post #127

• First, locally, to routinely video tape interviews with abused children (1983)
• First, locally, to routinely video tape suspect interviews (1985)
• First, locally, to investigate and convict in a child abuse homicide/violent shaking case (1986)
• First to investigate and obtain a conviction related to illegal obscenity where literature (books) rather than pictures were determined obscene by jury (1988)
• First to formally instruct APD personnel on Family Violence Investigations (1992)
• First to formally instruct APD personnel on Sudden Infant Death Investigations (SIDS) (1994)
• First, locally, to design and and maintain a web site for prevention of child abuse and sexual assault (1999)
• Investigative career yearly average of 11 felony convictions through 1999 (Low=5/1983 High=20/1997 Total=175)

Appropriate training provides sound investigative foundation but experience molds the investigator into a skilled, highly functioning detective. The key is communication. Interviewing skill is vital. Like artistic talent, interviewing skill becomes increasingly accomplished through practice. Even after hundreds of interviews, with persons of all ages and socio-economic groups, I continue to hone my skill by gleaning from every interview new insight into effective communication with very unique persons of diverse backgrounds.