Lieutenant Charlie Ward (RET) served for over 20 years with the Gainesville (Florida) Police Department. During his career he worked in patrol, undercover narcotics, served as a K9 handler in street crimes and highway interdiction, as a patrol sergeant, three years as a watch commander, and finally as an Executive Lieutenant for a patrol district. Charlie was a member of all three of his agency’s tactical units, serving both as an operator and ultimately became the Team Commander of the Emergency Services Team. In that role, he continued to advance the department’s active shooter response capabilities and tactical medical program. He also co-founded and helped coordinate the Gainesville Police Department’s annual Leadership Academy.
After retiring from law enforcement, Charlie became a Regional Sales Manager for Tactical Medical Solutions. He later founded Arrowhead Outdoors and Consulting, where he partners with outfitters and outdoor industry professionals to support business growth while also expanding his own real estate investment portfolio.