MarApril Magazine.2018.FINAL

www.fbinaa.org

M A R 2 0 1 8 A P R

The Lucky Lauers: A FBI National Academy Odyssey continued from page 16

was the principal speaker and he received a rous- ing welcome. It had been decades since a presi- dent had traveled to the National Academy for a graduation ceremony. The president was joined on stage by FBI Director Christopher Wray and Attorney General Jeff Sessions . The day before graduation, Paul, who had worked extremely hard in the physical fitness regimen, was awarded his Yellow Brick. Seeing the video to the strenuous and daunting pro- gram, climbing steep hills, doing pull ups and performing other tasks to qualify for the Yel- low Brick, showed how the fitness program had evolved since Ray attended the 101st Session. Paul’s highlights included the trip to New York and also shaving 43 seconds off of his mile run. He encourages individuals to get in shape in the event they are selected to attend. So after the first member of the Lauer fam- ily was privileged to be selected to attend the prestigious FBI National Academy, two of his sons were also allowed to be exposed to this high- ly reputable law enforcement training initiative, all having an intervening 21 year span between their attendance. Both Ray and Mike became active mem- bers of the Eastern Missouri Chapter of the FBI NA Associates. Ray was elected chapter president in 1994 and Mike was allowed to hold that posi- tion in 2005. In 2010 Ray received the coveted Eagle Award for his leadership and contributions to the Eastern Missouri Chapter. As far as we are able to determine there has never been a father and two sons allowed the privilege of attending and graduating from the National Academy. Mike’s son, Zachary Lauer started working as a dispatcher for the St. Louis County Police Department in 2017 and hopes to enter the police academy in 2019. Paul’s son, Kyle , is almost 15 years old. He is currently a po- lice explorer and interested in joining the police force one day. He is also applying for the Youth Leadership Program. Who can even fathom what the future may hold? About the Authors: Ray Lauer, Lieutenant Colonel-Deputy Chief (Retired), St. Louis Metro Police, NA Session 101 (1975). Mike Lauer , Lieutenant (Retired), St. Louis Metro Police, currently Executive Director, Security Barnes Jew- ish Hospital, NA Session 185 (1996). Paul Lauer , currently, Lieutenant, St. Louis Metro Police, NA Session 270 (2017). Submitted by Eastern Missouri Chapter President, Steven Schicker .

In what truly proved to be a whirlwind experience. Ray boarded a TWA plane in early April 1975 and headed to the National Academy, accepted as a proud member of Session 101. Be- ing away from home and family for three months seemed like eons at the time, but in actuality the time flew by and June arrived as well as the graduation date. During that period the session qualified on the firearms range, shooting several days each week. The fitness program consisted of workouts in the gym and jogging around the academy grounds, as well as calisthenics under the guidance of the fitness director on the area which was known as Gump’s Hump. He thought the meals were outstanding, and of course at the end of the day, relaxation was welcomed in the Board Room. There were no trips home during that time at the NA, but his wife and three children were able to travel to Quantico for the graduation. Once back in the work realm of the police department, within several years Ray was pro- moted by Chief Camp to the rank of lieutenant. In the subsequent other promotions, after Chief Camp’s retirement, eventually he was elevated to the rank of lieutenant colonel. He felt having at- tained those advancements were related at least in part due to the exposure to the curriculum and graduation from the FBI National Academy. When their two oldest sons, Mike and Paul , reached their 21st birthdays, thus attain- ing the age for qualification they applied for and were accepted as members of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. But who could have known then the odyssey of the Lau- ers would direct both of them toward the NA? One day in 1996, Mike, having attained the rank of sergeant, was informed by then Chief Clarence Harmon that he was being nominated for attendance at the NA. Once his application had been submitted and the background inves- tigation completed Mike was off to Quantico. He finished his schooling and graduated from Session 185. 21 years had passed since his dad’s attendance. By this time the fitness portion of the curriculum allowed attendees to qualify for a special award. The daunting and demanding fitness test known as the Yellow Brick Road was passed by Mike. When graduation day came Mike traveled home with his Yellow Brick. Mike’s most memorable experience was the friendships that were developed and the focus on health that he now patterns his life after. During Mike’s Yellow Brick Road run one of his session mates died suddenly of a heart attack. He holds his memories dear to him as that tragedy bonded his classmates together very closely.

By this time the Lauer clan had blossomed to four children. Mike’s three siblings, his parents, and their spouses and children were all able to be present for the graduation ceremony. Understand- ably the Lauers were extremely proud that Mike had excelled in his studies at Quantico and was able to participate in the Yellow Brick Road. Mike retired as a lieutenant after 20 years of service in the police department and was hired as the Director of Security for Barnes–Jewish Hospi- tal in St. Louis, a sprawling complex of buildings, parking facilities; a university connected training hospital and the busiest emergency department in the entire region. Currently he is the Executive Director of Support Services over Public Safety, Communications, Emergency Preparedness, En- vironmental and Occupational Health and other services. No doubt a degree of consideration when he interviewed for that position was related to attendance at the National Academy and his involvement in the local chapter. Mike’s advice to those wishing to attend the NA is to display your innate leadership abilities, take steps into leadership roles when they are pre- sented and by being recognized as a leader on your department your aspirations will turn into reality. One may think that could be the end of the Lauer family attendance at Quantico. But it was not. Twenty-one years after Mike’s graduation, Paul, now a lieutenant in St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department was approached one day by then Interim Chief Lawrence O’Toole and was told to “get in shape” as he intended to nominate him to attend the NA. That was on a Sunday in May of 2017 and two days later Interim Chief O’Toole handed him a sheaf of papers, telling him to complete them and submit the docu- ments to the local FBI office. Simultaneously he inquired of Paul if he had gotten in shape since he would be expected to participate and com- plete not only the study program but the strenu- ous physical program as well. Paul would be the first to admit that he wasn’t accustomed to having an exercising regi- men, but listening to the advice of his brother Mike, who is an avid runner and who exercises nearly daily, he began his workouts and dieting to help reduce his weight and “get in shape”. In the intervening weeks of the 270th Session he found success in this new regimen, losing more than 30 pounds in the subsequent months to his departure for Quantico. In October 2017 Paul departed for his training effort. Graduation took place just before Christmas. Paul’s wife and two children were in attendance, as were his father, mother, and brothers. President Donald Trump

17