Navigating Homicides and Avoiding Pitfalls: Developing an Elite Investigative Unit

As the supervisor of one of the highest performing elite investigative units in the country, I am commonly asked what is the secret to your units’ success? One simple answer I consistently provide is “teamwork.” The key to clearing homicides and maintaining a clearance rate 30% higher than the national average is much more complex and deserving than a one-word response.

Since becoming the Homicide Sergeant in 2021, the City of Fort Wayne has maintained an average clearance rate of 91% and currently maintains a 97% homicide clearance rate. I have been directly involved in 123 homicide cases, have assisted in the arrest of 111 murder suspects, and have coordinated over 104 homicide task force missions that involved locating murder suspects, evidence and serving high risk warrants.

Through years of experience and the relentless pursuit of perfecting an elite homicide unit, I developed a presentation that takes a deep dive into 15 years of data and statistics to support high-level investigative strategies that will excel an agency’s homicide unit.

The transformational presentation provides sound investigative strategies and tips to overcome investigative hurdles and ways to avoid both common and uncommon pitfalls. The presentation is a case study of how the City of Fort Wayne has been successful in maintaining such a high homicide clearance rate year after year. With over 15 years in law enforcement and 10 years of leadership speaking, the information being presented will be offered in a skilled way that allows attendees to understand, retain, and apply it.

Homicide Justice: Law Enforcements Vital Role for Victims, their Family and the Community

I received the phone call back in 2021 that would change the trajectory of my life. I accepted the challenge and knew there was a long road ahead. The challenge was to successfully manage the Homicide Unit and Cold Case Section in the 2nd largest city in the State of Indiana. I knew it would be a challenge and the stakes were high. Fast forward 5 years later, the City of Fort Wayne has averaged a homicide solve rate of 91%, currently have solved 97% of homicides in 2025, and have cleared 22 Cold Case Homicides in that time frame.

After becoming the Homicide Sergeant and Cold Case Section Supervisor, I quickly realized that for every homicide victim’s case I was trying to solve, there was a family and community suffering behind them and waiting for answers. I made a promise to myself that I would lead an elite unit of homicide detectives to fight for victims, with a goal of solving every murder and bringing justice to families. The media often asks me what my goal is for the next year, and my response is always the same; “to solve every homicide”.  I was once questioned as to why I would set the bar so high and if I feared not being able to be follow through. The simple answer is that I cannot afford to fail. The stakes are high and this is a game I cannot afford to lose. Almost five years later, we are seeing homicide cases solved at a rate of over +30% higher than the national average. Also of equal importance, we are developing valuable law enforcement relationships with victim families and the community. I am a loud voice for each victim and family that seeks justice. I have learned that solving a homicide is only one component of working toward the goal of justice and healing. My role goes deeper into this challenge with wanting to be a pillar for the family and community in the aftermath of these tragedies.

This presentation dives into investigative strategies we implore to solve homicides, as well as vital strategies that involve the victim’s family, crime stoppers, Victims Assistance Programs, and community stake holders. I am an experienced and proven law enforcement leader with over 15 years of experience and over 10 years of public speaking. I am committed to developing future homicide fighters and solving complex problems. Attendees will be provided with valuable knowledge, insight and victim methods that are implored in law enforcement.

I have been directly involved in 123 homicide cases, have assisted in the arrest of 111 murder suspects, have coordinated over 104 homicide task force missions that involved locating murder suspects and have cleared 22 Cold Case Homicides under my leadership. Through years of experience and the relentless pursuit of perfecting an elite homicide unit, I developed a presentation that takes a deep dive into 15 years of homicide data and statistics to provide a better understanding of what works to solve homicides and the methods utilized to properly and compassionately deal with victim families and the community. The information presented will be offered in a skilled way that allows attendees to understand the role of law enforcement and new strategies being implemented to solve homicides (active and cold) and deal with the aftermath of the process. My goal remains the same now that it did back 5 years ago: to solve every homicide and to be an advocate for the victim and their family. I want to renew the hope and strength for the families and let them know that we will never stop fighting.

Leadership: When Strength Matters

Creating a positive culture is key to employee retention, satisfaction, and increased productivity. Sarge Leadership will provide the skills your organization needs to become a more thoughtful, strategic leader, capable of creating an environment that’s conducive to the growth of your team or organization. Leadership drives culture, culture creates behavior, which ultimately drives results.

Roadway Safety: Dangers of Impaired Driving

In addition to solving homicides and advocating for victims of violent crime, I also have a passion for removing impaired and intoxicated drivers from the roadways. I am a certified chemical breath test operator and have been SFST trained since 2010. I have gone on to become the lead SFST Instructor and in 2015 I furthered my knowledge of alcohol and drugs by becoming a certified Drug recognition Expert. I received the “Top of the Class Award” and in 2020 became a certified Drug Recognition Expert Instructor.

I have instructed several ARIDE courses – Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement and from 2010 – 2021, I was a member of the Fatal Alcohol Crash Team (FACT) and additionally supervised the FACT team. The FACT team is responsible to investigate all serious bodily injury and crashes that result in death. I have approximately 500 Impaired Driving Arrests and received four “Law Enforcement Leadership Awards” for my work on impaired driving.