The Best of 2024: Reflections and Remarkable Stories
American Peace Officer's Year in Review: Celebrating Connections, Challenges, and Courage
On November 2, 2023, I sat down for lunch with
and . This was the first time we were together sharing a meal. Our conversation about 2024 and what we needed to do filled me with optimism for the coming year. This year did not disappoint but it wasn’t always full of great times. I went to several memorial services for former co-workers who weren’t much older or younger than me. One of my close family members had a life-threatening emergency resulting in months of hospitalization and rehabilitation. Hurricane Milton brought his fury and my Christmas present was a new roof. Travel brought me to five states and seven foreign countries for both business and pleasure.I learned why 2024 was a great year. It was the friends you make along the way.
Dr. Olivia Johnson: Saving Lives, Careers, and Families
Dr. Olivia Johnson: Everything from that lunch conversation set me on a collision course with someone who would become one of my great and cherished friends. Olivia is an Air Force veteran and former law enforcement officer who has done the comprehensive groundbreaking research on first responder suicide. She has found what it takes to move the needle in the right direction, and it is not the failed model of suicide prevention. We worked toward a conference in 2025 that beyond saving lives, we would save marriages, families and careers but that will have to wait briefly. In the meantime, I hope you check her out at her Substack:
Johanna Neuman: A Voice of Wisdom and Integrity Writing the Substack You Can’t Miss
: We sat next to one another at an event where former President Trump was being interviewed in Washington, DC. She introduced herself as a writer who publishes on Substack. A perfect start to a perfect conversation. A distant neighbor, I read some of her work as soon as I got back to my hotel room. Her Substack, , is the most eloquent and well researched work that I have seen from anyone on Substack. As a retired professional journalist who worked in the DC beltway and the author of four books, she brings the receipts. I can’t stop talking about her work. If you need some clarity and focus on the most complicated issues facing our nation, and our nation’s children today, look no further than her prolific work. Subscribe to her Substack here:
Alex Newman: Education as the Key to Preservation of our Nation and Society
Alex Newman: I attended his conference session and asked myself whether he was the best conference speaker ever. He crammed four hours or more of content into a 50-minute presentation. I spotted him the next day and asked if he had some time to talk and as he generously gave me an hour of his time. He blew my mind with his comprehensive understanding of how education relates to preserving our nation. I cited his book in my most recent article, and I doubt it will be the last time. A prolific podcaster, writer, and journalist – since he and I last spoke, he has been to the UN in NYC, COP29 in Azerbaijan, and the three temples in Abu Dabhi – and he has a Substack presence. If you love kids and want them educated for success, start by subscribing to him here:
Randy Sutton and Bob Bemis: Resilience and Heroism
Randy Sutton and Bob Bemis: I used to watch Randy Sutton on COPS when he was a police officer in Las Vegas in the late 1980s – now I’m in an amazing coffee shop on the loneliest road in America with him and Bob Bemis enjoying our first cup of coffee on a Monday morning. After our chat, Bob grabs his crutches for the walk to the Opera House. Randy suffered and survived a career ending stroke and found out what it was like to be on the receiving end of an agency that wants to delay and fight your disability pension. Bob was in an unmarked car on his way home from a training session in Northeast Pennsylvania when he saw a motorist in distress with a vehicle on fire on the side of the interstate. Many people could drive on past, he had done his work for the day, but the pride of duty would never let Bob slip by. After he was out of the car, his cruiser was slammed by a SUV which slammed the disabled vehicle into Bob. Two railroad policemen who showed up after the accident pulled Bob out of the fire and saved his life. For weeks, no one knew if he was going to make it. Randy identified a gap, a specific section of the process missing, where officers who gave all for the job would have to go broke before the get their benefits. In response, he founded the very effective nonprofit The Wounded Blue. I featured both of these gentlemen in April in my article “Meet some Heroes.” Here is a link to a video describing their service to those hurt in the line of duty.
Dr. James Lindsay and Michael O’Fallon: Champions of Free Thought Addressing the Critical Challenges of Our Time
Dr. James Lindsay and Michael O’Fallon: Two amazing people who possess knowledge and insight desperately needed in this age. Lindsay is a renowned mathematician, cultural critic, and author celebrated for his incisive analysis of critical theory and its impact on modern society.
O’Fallon is a visionary entrepreneur and cultural commentator recognized for his leadership in fostering critical discussions on globalism, ethics, and cultural integrity. As the founder of Sovereign Nations, he has been instrumental in bringing together thought leaders to address pivotal issues shaping the future of society. They have both become leading voices in the defense of reason and open dialogue. Check them out at New Discourses and Sovereign Nations:
January Littlejohn: A Story of Courage from Disenfranchised Parent to Law and Policy Changer
January Littlejohn – On February 2, 2024 on the steps of the old Florida Capitol, Mrs. Littlejohn was an unscheduled last minute speaker. I wouldn’t find that out until much later but she was one of the most impactful speakers at the event. We didn’t meet that day but a friend connected us and she scheduled a call. In less than an hour, she provided direction on some of the most important topics of our time. In 2019, her daughter was socially transitioned in a public school in secret. Her battle against that resulted in the Parental Rights in Education bill, supported by one of my other heroes, Randy Fine. Find her on X:
Randy Fine: A True Statesman Championing Causes that Matter
State Senator Randy Fine – Then State Representative Fine clocked me from across a banquet room and came over through a group of people and shook my hand. “Are you Randy Fine?” I asked cautiously as I had never seen him in person before. He treated me not merely like a friend of decades but like someone who had been an insider in his political life for years. He’s been endorsed to replace my congressman who was tapped for a cabinet position and has maintained contact despite an amazing year in the Florida Legislature and a successful re-election campaign. The most effective legislator in the Florida House is headed to Washington
Cheers to 2025
On December 20, 2024, I got a call from
. “Hey Roland, you’re about to get a call. I told this guy he needs to talk to you about something exciting we’re planning for 2025.”Thank you, John! You’ve got me walking on air again. With opportunities like this, I know 2025 is going to be another incredible year!
Please keep our peace officers in your prayers.
Roland Clee served a major Florida police department as a Community Service Officer for more than 26 years. His career included uniformed patrol, training, media relations, intelligence, criminal investigations, and chief’s staff. He writes the American Peace Officer newsletter, speaks at public safety, recruiting and leadership conferences and helps local governments and public safety agencies through his business, CommandStaffConsulting.com.
I am honored, and humbled, to be included in such heroic company. And thank you Roland, for all you do in shedding light on darkness. Joy & health to all, and for our country, a restoration to principles. 🎊
Just seeing this beauty. Thanks for all you do and I hope our paths can cross at some point.
And I pray your family member is doing better!