Tony Wheatley returns to California after Afghanistan

The past four years have been incredible for Tony Wheatley. Under the constant threat of danger, he has served alongside an international police force helping to train the country of Afghanistan's police. Wheatley has been involved in law enforcement for over 20 years including serving with the Morgan County Sheriff's Department, Kansas City Police Department, Tipton Police Department and was the commander of the Mid-Missouri Drug Task Force before applying and being accepted to serve in Afghanistan training and serving alongside an international police force including American, Spanish and Italian forces.

Wheatley said during his time as the Mid-Missouri Drug Task Force commander, he saw some interesting things, these would pale in comparison to what he witnessed in Afghanistan.

"We were classified as international police advisors and trainers," Wheatley said. "I cannot talk about everything we did but our main focus was to provide training for the Afghan police and also did some Afghan Army training too. We mentored and advised the Afghan generals on policing, tactics and procedures."

Before leaving on what would be a four-year adventure, Wheatley trained at the Crucible, an independent training facility in Fredericksburg, Va., which specializes in training Federal law enforcement, specialty swat teams along with those going overseas to Iraq, Afghanistan and different threatening countries. Having the training provided useful, but being able to adapt was what set Wheatley apart and earned him great respect from both his American and international peers.

For more of this story including photos check out the Jan. 18 issue of the California Democrat.