Where I am From

I was born in Germersheim which is a small town neighboring Landau, Germany.  My mother, being of African American descent traveled to Germany to continue her studies in music.

My Family

My mother met my father while he was serving as a staff sergeant in the (Luftwaffe) German Air force.  We emigrated to the U.S in 1973 and lived in the Bronx until I was approximately ten years old.  Prior to leaving for the states, my mother thought it best to teach me German and English so that I may gain proficiency in both languages.  The majority of the time, I would speak German with my grandparents.  So when I moved to the Bronx, my English was somewhat limited.  While living in the Bronx, my mother worked for the United Nations as a translator while my father found work in the home improvement industry.  Most of my time was spent with my grandparents on my mother’s side who also lived in the Bronx.  Several years after arriving in the states, my parents bought a house in Long Island.

My Youth

During my adolescence, I realized that good communication was important.  It wasn’t enough to be well behaved and quiet.  People would mistake your silence for ignorance and kindness for weakness.  During this time I became interested in martial arts and weightlifting.  I started competing in power lifting as well as bodybuilding.  But I still felt something was missing.  I felt confidant physically but not strong verbally.  I felt my communication skills could use a bit of improvement.  Being that English was not my mother’s tongue, I realized that the foundation was never there and it was up to me to fill in that void. I remember being asked by my father what I wanted for my 16th birthday.  I responded, “A dictionary.”

My Passion For Words

As crazy as this may sound, that dictionary was one of the best gifts I could ever receive.  As I read various books, I found myself writing or looking up terms that were unfamiliar and found my vocabulary start to broaden.  I realized that people listened to you if you were confidant in what you said and were able to articulate yourself well.

My Career In Law Enforcement

As the years passed, I started to take an interest in law enforcement.  I had family members that were police officers and was encouraged to do the same.  As a detective, I have come across many people who have been influential in my new career as a writer.

My Beliefs

I believe the people that enter our lives have a specific purpose.  Whether it is for us to learn or teach, our goals and realizations come to fruition whenever we persevere and are not afraid to experience change.