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An utter waste of time: the life of Brent Wheat
An avid outdoorsman since he was old enough to hold a fishing rod, Brent Wheat has turned his love of the outdoors into a career as writer, photographer, instructor and speaker about the wilds of Indiana. He also is an active law enforcement and gun writer in addition to being a very busy freelance sports photographer.
Brent is a resident of Lebanon, Indiana with his long-suffering wife, two children and ill-mannered English setter named Katie. When he is not writing, shooting pictures, spending time outdoors or building things that explode, Brent likes to garden and play the drums with his rock band Big Willy.
Attending Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, Brent majored in Forestry and Horticulture. Unfortunately, hunting, fishing and outdoor adventures in north-central Indiana proved more irresistible than study so college ended after three and a half years, much to the relief of Brent's academic advisor.
For the last 19 years, Brent has worked in law enforcement, currently with the Lebanon Police Department where he is a Lieutenant in the patrol division and also serves as patrol supervisor and department spokesman. During his law enforcement career, Brent has worked as a reserve officer, jail officer, dispatcher, detective, evidence technician, narcotics canine handler and was a founding member of the bicycle patrol, dive team and Special Response (SWAT) Team. He also helps train public safety officers as a visiting instructor at the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy, assistant instructor for LifeGuard Systems, Inc and other various training groups. Brent has served as lecturer for the Indiana Cooperative Extension Service Venison Workshop and worked with the Media Services Team and Public Information Officers Committee of the 2001 World Police & Fire Games. He is also assistant instructor for the Boone County Sheriff's Department Introduction to Defensive Pistol class and is currently serving as campaign manager of a local political candidate. When he has free time, Brent enjoys performing music and plays drums in a classic rock band.
Committed to training, Brent has received over 50 law-enforcement certifications ranging from Underwater Homicide Investigation to Pepperball Armorer. Before entering law enforcement, Brent had broad background having worked as a landscape nursery manager, groundskeeper for large private estate, dispatcher for a security company, canoe outfitter, owner of a small landscaping business and even worked as a college radio station disk jockey.
Community service is important to Brent. He has volunteered with many organizations, serving as Cub Scout leader, President of Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #110, assistant SRT team leader, Pension Secretary of Lebanon Police Department and held membership in organizations such the National Rifle Association, Indiana Wildlife Federation, National Wild Turkey Federation, Hoosier Outdoor Writers, Association of Great Lakes Outdoor Writers, Employer Support Committee of the Indiana National Guard and Hoosier Canoe Club.
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