David Philip Hope served as a first lieutenant in the U.S. Army during the Viet Nam War era after graduating from Infantry Officer Candidates' School, Fort Benning GA. He completed his undergraduate degree from East Carolina University with a B.S.P. in Criminal Justice. He then served as a police officer in the Chesterfield County Police Department, Chesterfield County, VA from 1976 until his retirement in 2002. He rose to the rank of police major and ultimately had 250 police officers, supervisors, and managers in his command. The author lives on the Outer Banks of North Carolina with his fiancée and his English springer spaniel. From there he sails the waters of Chesapeake Bay, the Albemarle and Pamlico Sounds, and south to Florida and the Bahamas. He has said many times that he is happiest when on his boat.