Your TLEPN Team
TLEPN State Director
dustin.schellenger@untdallas.edu
(682) 888-4276
Texas Senate Bill 64, passed on January 1, 2022, established the Texas Law Enforcement Peer Network, with Dustin Schellenger serving as its Program Director since its inception. Dustin has valuable experience working with both the Military and Law Enforcement communities through a variety of positions. Dustin has served as a Dallas Police Department Project Manager and is a Retired Gunnery Sergeant in the US Marines.
Dustin served for 20 years as a Military Police Officer in the U.S. Marine Corps. and has experience in crisis management, Special Reaction Team (SRT) tactics and management, and law enforcement management. He has worked on high risk warrants, hostage situations, drug raids, and lovingly as a regular Patrol Officer. Dustin has served in Iraq as well as 13 other countries and is very familiar with Post Traumatic Stress/Head Impact Trauma and what families go through both in Law Enforcement and Military Service. He is passionate about supporting Law Enforcement and Suicide Prevention.
TLEPN Regional Directors
(909) 528-3472
Ricky jones is a retired Los Angels County Deputy Sheriff, Ricky served from 1981 until his service-connected injury forced his retirement in 1989. In the same year Ricky was recruited and worked with the US Counter Measures Team and the team OIC. Ricky worked on this contract for 10 years until 1999, when the program was displaced.
Ricky has served as a police and military Minister for 40 years. He is the Founder of the Spirit of The Law Ministries and Awards Ceremony.
In February of 2002, Ricky was one of the trainers hired to develop the TSA screening program, Admiral Loy hired retirement law enforcement and military when the program started to develop. Ricky served until his wife’s death in 2004.
In 2013 Ricky was hired by Director Antoine Fuqua as the head consultant on Olympus Has Fallen. Several years later, Director Fuqua hired Ricky again, as the Consultant on the Equalizer.
Ricky’s love in life is his family, His wife Hildbjorg, his daughter Victoria, his stepsons Fredrik and James. He and his wife have four grandchildren. Ricky has spent his entire career dedicated to serving the citizens of our nation, his respect and love for our nations police, fire, EMS and military are the reason he still serves today.
(817) 410-3944
Christina "Tina" O'Rear has an impressive 28-year tenure at the Grapevine Police Department as she embodies dedication to crisis response capabilities that truly makes a difference in law enforcement. She passionately instructs for TCOLE and the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF), and was recently honored with the 2022 ICISF Excellence in Training and Education award and recognized as the "Unsung Hero" in Crisis Response in 2017. Tina continues to serve as a Peer Support/CISM Team member and Mental Health Coordinator since 2012. As a Certified Critical Incident Response K9 Handler, Tina collaborates with her loyal partner, K9 Remi, earning additional titles such as Texas Crisis Intervention Team Mental Health Officer of the Year and Hometown Hero for the Twenty-Fourth Congressional District of Texas in 2022.
Beyond the badge, Tina finds joy in the great outdoors, explores new places, and passionately cheers for her favorite hockey team (Go Stars!). However, her most cherished moments are those spent with her family. Tina is excited to foster connections and provide vital support among her peers in the law enforcement community.
Sherrie.Dowty-Montano@amarillo.gov
(806) 805-4800
Sherrie Dowty-Montano is a retired Sergeant from the Amarillo Police Department with over 20 years of dedicated service undertaking various roles, including Patrol Officer, Patrol Supervisor, School Liaison Officer, and Narcotics Task Force member covering 26 counties in collaboration with the DEA. She also served as a Burglary Detective and CALEA Accreditation Manager. In addition to her primary assignments, Sherrie contributed extensively to her department and community serving as a Peer Support Facilitator, Hostage Negotiator on the SWAT team, and was involved in the Federal Marshall Service transport of female offenders. After retiring from the police force, Sherrie ventured into entrepreneurship, owning her own business, which she recently sold.
Sherrie actively enjoys kayaking, camping, fishing, and hiking, including completing two rim-to-rim hikes of the Grand Canyon, which helps manage stress and maintain a healthy work-life balance. She is excited to be part of your Panhandle Regional Network and eager to build a strong Peer Network.
(956) 588-5211
Michael Mata is the Regional Director of South Texas for the Texas Law Enforcement Peer Network, established in January 2022. He retired from the Pharr Police Department in 2019 after 21 years of dedicated service to his community, served 2 years with PSJA ISD Police Department (2019-2021) as Sergeant/ SBLE Officer, and continues to serve Texas Law Enforcement Officers in the State of Texas, as the Regional Director of South Texas for the Texas Law Enforcement Peer Network (TLEPN). He operates regionally through the Edinburg Police Department, in Edinburg, Texas. He earned his Master Peace Officer Certification in 2012, is a trained Hostage Negotiator, Mental Health Peace Officer and CISM trained. Michael presents TCOLE 6400, Peer to Peer & TCOLE #6401, Peer to Peer Train the Trainer to police officers across the State of Texas to be part of the Texas Law Enforcement Peer Network as Peer Volunteers and trainers. Michael was awarded the 2022 Trailblazer Award of Excellence from the Caruth Police Institute and University of North Texas-Dallas for his efforts in 2022.
Michael and his family reside in Pharr, TX and when he is not traveling, he enjoys fishing with his family on their boat the “Ugly Hooker” at South Padre Island, Texas. He also enjoys taking long road trips on his Honda Goldwing; he enjoys running or cycling for mental clarity and focus. Michael will share his knowledge and experience along with his passion to serve fellow first responders struggling with mental health issues, post-traumatic stress, and he believes through the Texas Law Enforcement Peer Network and local resources, he will be able to help end law enforcement suicide in the State of Texas.
(760) 613-3489
Kate Powell spent the last two years as a Telecommunicator and is currently stationed at the Lakeway Police Department. Her passion lies in building up peer networks to provide crucial support to our incredible heroes in blue. With a background as a Certified Life Coach and a Masters in Psychology, she is excited to contribute to the well-being of our law enforcement community.
To keep stress at bay and maintain her mental health, you'll find Kate engaged in activities like running, lifting weights, trail walking, stationary cycling, yoga, and meditation or engaged in her hobbies of reading, writing, playing guitar, and cherishing precious moments with her family and two beautiful children.
She is looking forward to connecting with all of you and making a positive impact together through the Texas Law Enforcement Peer Network.
(936) 232-0785
Lindsay Phillips joined The Texas Law Enforcement Peers network in September 2022 as the West Texas Regional Director representing Odessa Police Department. She started her law enforcement career in 2012 by joining the Odessa Police Academy. She serves as the department's Mental Health Coordinator and Peer Support Program Facilitator.
Lindsay holds a Master Peace Officers License and serves on the Peer Team for the Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas. Lindsay has focused her career on mental health by working with mental health partners to advocate and educate law enforcement.
Lindsay’s self-care hobbies are riding horses and rock crawling with the family Jeep.
TCOLE Regions
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