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​Mark started his career in law enforcement in 1996 at the Aurora Police Department in Aurora, MO.  After spending 3 years at the Aurora Police Department working as a patrol officer he applied and tested at the Springfield, MO Police Department.  Mark was hired and in May of 1999, began his career with the Springfield Police Department.  Mark spent 21 years working at Springfield PD and had the opportunities to work not only in the patrol division, but the traffic section and community services section of the department throughout those 21 years.   

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​On June 9, 2020, Mark's life was forever changed.  Mark was working in his office at police headquarters on Chestnut Expressway when they were notified about an individual who caused a disturbance outside the front doors of headquarters.  Mark and Sgt. Heather Anderson went outside to check on the individual.  While walking the parking lot Mark saw the suspect vehicle coming down Chestnut and turning to come into the headquarters parking lot.  He motioned for the driver to pull into a parking spot and it was at that moment the driver turned the steering wheel and accelerated, striking Mark.  Mark was tossed onto the hood of the vehicle and then pulled underneath the front end where he was dragged and pinned as the driver continued to accelerate into a bollard.  Sgt. Anderson fired at the suspect striking him and causing him to stop the acceleration.  Two other Springfield PD officers arrived at the time this happened and took the suspect into custody as Sgt. Anderson went to check on Mark.  The suspect vehicle was rolled off of Mark by numerous Springfield PD personnel on scene, at which time he realized he could not move his legs.  Mark was transported to a local hospital where it was quickly determined he sustained a life changing spinal cord injury.  Heather was brought to the hospital emergency room and told by the doctor that Mark’s injury would cause him never to walk again.  

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In the days, weeks, and months following Mark's injury people from all over the world came together to pray for the family, encourage the family and support the family.   Mark and Heather were not the type of people to ask for help.  The support they received was overwhelming.  ​Mark and Heather learned the struggle of a life changing injury.  They learned where the support was most needed for others.   They quickly knew that they wanted to make this their mission and pay it forward to other first responders that are seriously injured in the line of duty. 

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Mark and Heather continue to support those seriously injured in the line of duty.  They continue to share about wheelchair accessibility, handicap accessibility and support those going through similar trials as they have been through.   You often hear them say "we just keep rolling."   Mark and Heather share their story to help others.  

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Mark and his wife Heather have been married for 25 years.  They have two children Conner and Chloe.  

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