Gary L. Joralemon has a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from California Polytechnic
State University, San Luis Obispo, and a master's degree in leadership from St.
Mary's College of California. After thirty-three years in law enforcement, he retired from the
San Luis Obispo County Probation Department, having risen to the rank of Chief Deputy
Probation Officer. Gary has served on the faculties of the Alan Hancock College Law
Enforcement Academy, Cuesta College, and California State University, San Luis Obispo. He
specializes in issues pertaining to law enforcement use of force and ethics. He is a former
Police and Fire Olympian and participated in the 2005 Outrigger Canoe World Championships,
in Molokai, Hawaii. As with his character Michael O'Shea, Gary spent untold hours as a
young man running the steps of Edwards Field on the University of California campus.