The Final Case File: Reflecting on a Lifelong Journey of Service

June 26, 2026

Today is my last day as a federal employee and I find myself looking back on a journey that didn’t actually start with a badge, a uniform, or a college degree. It started a lot earlier than that.

I’ve been working in some capacity since I was 11 years old.

At 11: I had my first newspaper route.

At 13: I was cleaning floors and stocking shelves at a local pharmacy (while simultaneously running a wholesale comic book business, entirely oblivious to tax laws).

At 14: I started washing dishes, eventually working my way up to prep cook and line cook.

At 18: I traded the kitchen apron for an Army uniform.

When I left active duty, the grind continued. I worked as a waiter, a carpet cleaner, and a mental health worker at a psychiatric hospital, all while putting myself through college.

When I finally landed at the Missouri State Public Defender Office, my real foundational training began. No course or textbook could match what I learned on the ground there. It gave me the bedrock principle that guided the rest of my career: Follow the facts, not feelings.

That early foundation paved the way for more than three decades of public service.

Looking back, I am incredibly grateful for every assignment, every challenge, and most importantly, every person who helped me along the way. No one accomplishes anything meaningful alone.

Whatever success I achieved belongs as much to my colleagues as it does to me. Throughout my career, I had the privilege of working alongside extraordinary auditors, analysts, investigators, attorneys, support staff, and leaders.

The cases and accomplishments matter, but what I will remember most are the people. The friendships, mentorships, and shared sense of purpose are what made this career meaningful.

The last 19 months have given me a completely different perspective on work and life. Facing serious health challenges forced me to evaluate what truly matters.

Titles eventually change. Offices get cleaned out. Badges, credentials, and equipment are turned in.

What remains are the relationships we build, the people we love, the lives we touch, and the legacy we leave behind through our actions. For me, the roles that matter most moving forward are husband, father, son, brother, friend, mentor, and servant to others.

One Piece of Advice for Those Still Serving

Figure out what matters most sooner rather than later.

Work is important. Service is honorable. Dedication is admirable. But remember to make time for the people and experiences that make life meaningful. The reports will get written. The cases will get closed. The emails will keep coming. Time with family, friends, and those you care about is far more difficult to replace.

Thank you to everyone who shared this journey with me. Thank you for your friendship, guidance, patience, support, and trust. You made me a better investigator, a better leader, and a better person. It has been an absolute honor to serve alongside you.

The future is wide open and I'm looking forward to navigating the next chapter of my life.