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The career and life paths traveled by Dr. Richard Carmona, former U.S. Surgeon General, Medical Expert and Board Member for Axon and several other prominent organizations, were unexpected, not only for where life took him, but also the incredible success he has achieved. Dr. Carmona's determination and drive were fueled by his community and heritage, and have helped him rise to where he is today.

Dr. Carmona’s family hailed from Puerto Rico when it was still part of the Spanish Empire. His parents and abuelita (grandmother) moved to New York seeking opportunity, and he was the first of his family born in the United States. He grew up in Harlem in a time when most kids in that area played kickball in front of project housing, learned to swim in the Harlem River and experienced hardships as young children that many Americans don’t experience in a lifetime. Dr. Carmona's childhood included periods of homelessness, inadequate health care and frequent gaps in access to food, yet he didn’t see his family as having less than others. As Dr. Carmona recalls, “We didn't look at ourselves as poor because that's how it was for everyone on the block, and we were all just happy kids.”

At 17, Dr. Carmona dropped out of high school and joined the Army during the peak of the Vietnam War. He began his service as an infantryman, then focused on getting his GED in order to move into Special Forces. He succeeded, and became a decorated medic and weapons specialist during his deployment.

Though he didn’t realize it at the time, Dr. Carmona's experiences prepared him for success later in life and gave him insight into how the social determinants of health — issues that are inextricably tied to each life's trajectory, like race and poverty — contribute to the challenges people of color continue to face. 

As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, Dr. Carmona shared with our employees reflections on the lessons that have guided him throughout his life. 


“She took on this role, more than just my grandmother, to be more like a social worker or elder for the community. She may have been 5 feet tall and only 90 pounds, but she might as well been 7 feet tall. People listened to her, because she was always there for them.”

Contribute to Those Around You: Dr. Carmona's abuelita was integral to his formative years. She taught him to understand the obligation one has to those around them and their community. 

As Dr. Carmona grew, he began to notice those who fulfilled that obligation — his community who helped him in school, sent him letters in Vietnam and helped him further his education after the war. Through his family and community, Dr. Carmona learned to be a true healer and caregiver. He’s carried this lesson with him throughout his career. “We need to take it personally, as leaders, to help the next generation.”

Believe in Yourself: Dr. Carmona’s mother struggled throughout his childhood, working multiple jobs to give her children the best life possible. While she didn’t have higher education, she taught herself five languages and was well-versed in politics and the arts. Dr. Carmona's mother taught him one always has a choice in how they want to live their life. She encouraged him to always be learning, have integrity and remain true to himself, with a cheer that remained in the back of his head, chanting, “Go for it!”

He took these lessons to heart and focused on his strengths while recognizing areas for improvement. This mindset helped his career trajectory that eventually led him to become the U.S. Surgeon General for George W. Bush and later a valued Axon Board member.

Be Proud of Your History: Growing up in Harlem, Dr. Carmona remembers desperately trying to fit in with his peers by never speaking Spanish in public. His abuelita, on the other hand, took immense pride in her country. She wouldn’t accept his refusal to speak Spanish. Dr. Carmona recalled, “She made me speak Spanish. It was from her that I learned to be proud of my heritage.” She taught him about Hispanic explorers, language, traditions and cooking. As he moved through life, embracing his heritage helped him understand the needs of others who don’t look or sound like him.

Find the Focus to Complete Your Mission: The thought of higher education had always intimidated Dr. Carmona. “I was much more afraid of college than combat. I didn’t feel like I had the academic abilities to compete with ‘smart kids,’” he shared. 

But when he returned from combat, Dr. Carmona’s former high school counselors — who had kept in touch with him throughout his time in Vietnam — stepped in to guide him on his higher education path. They connected him with a former teacher who was now Dean of a college with a veteran program. Dr. Carmona enrolled and relied on the discipline and focus he learned in combat to excel in school. By the end, he realized being smart wasn’t what would make him successful, recounting, “I was never the smartest, but I was the most focused and most disciplined. I knew how to complete my mission.”

To pay for his tuition, Dr. Carmona held positions as a paramedic, registered nurse and even police officer. Each of these roles strengthened his resolve that serving others was his calling. So he applied to medical school and was accepted to the University of California San Francisco. 

And unlike the beginning of his undergraduate studies, he felt prepared: “This wasn’t stressful. Combat was stressful. Being shot at not knowing if you’ll live. This is a mere inconvenience. I had perspective that my peers didn’t.” That perspective and discipline paid off when he graduated top of his class a year early. 

Dr. Carmona’s life-long commitment to do public good eventually led him to join Axon’s board, a position he still considers to be one of his greatest privileges. He has seen how Axon’s powerful team moved the company from unknown with a single product to a global powerhouse Protecting Life across the world, with endless potential to do more good as the company continues to grow and innovate. “We’re fortunate to all be part of this great company that has no limits to the opportunities within it.”

Dr. Richard Carmona’s life is extraordinary by any measure. He overcame immense challenges and disadvantages to become a respected and admired leader in public health and safety. Dr. Carmona credits his success in part to those who lent a helping hand throughout his journey, and who helped him realize that when you accept where you come from, it can help you get where you're going.

BLOG: Completing the Mission: Lessons Learned from a Life of Service and Heritage

Completing the Mission: Lessons Learned from a Life of Service and Heritage

As we continue to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, we sat down with our HOLA Affinity Group leaders, Andrea Cordero-Rivera,Associate Chief of Staff, and Maggie Duarte, Revenue Accountant, to discuss their careers, cultures, and how the two interact. HOLA, Hispanic Origin and Latin Americans at Axon, is our newest Affinity Group, dedicated to spreading awareness and celebration of this community.

What has been the proudest moment of your career?

Andrea: My proudest moment was when I made the decision to leave my country, family, friends and everything I’ve ever known to follow my professional dreams. Moving 2,940 miles away from home wasn’t easy, but I felt empowered and determined to do so for myself. This has shaped the way I perform at work and my constant desire to grow.
Maggie: I can’t point to one exact moment, but I do have two Master’s degrees. That’s definitely an accomplishment.


How have your culture and heritage shaped you as a person, including any traditions that hold particular meaning or importance to you?

Maggie: I grew up in a neighborhood that is predominantly Hispanic and on the lower economic spectrum. My grandmother moved to the US when she was in the 3rd grade. Her entire life, she always wanted much more for the younger generation. Raising me, she instilled in me that higher education was the gold standard. In my family, they encouraged me to continue education and they wouldn’t “let” me fail. Whatever it took, they were there to support me all the way.
Andrea: It shapes everything in my life, not only how I behave but also how I interpret, decide, and act in my social reality. My culture has been fundamental in keeping me close to my country, despite the pressures of assimilation while living in the US It is not only about keeping my rituals, norms, and interpretations; it’s also about keeping my feet on the ground every time something comes up. It is the constant reminder of who I am and where I come from.


How are your culture and heritage reflected in your work?

Maggie: As a Hispanic/Latinx person, we usually come from big integrated families. Because of this, I’ve learned to work in the space at Axon with no problem at all! On a serious note, I tend to over-compensate for things and stretch myself too thin to get something done. It’s not for me, but for the group/family as a whole is what’s important.
Andrea: Being Puerto Rican has given me a lot of amazing qualities like working hard, being resilient, and a true passion for collaboration. I was raised being told 'si se puede' and as a result, every project I work on I give my 200% and get extremely passionate.

What is something about your community you would love your coworkers to know?

Andrea: I wish every person knew how important celebrations and holidays are for Hispanic countries. In Puerto Rico we celebrate EVERYTHING, quinceañeras, when your prima comes back home from the US, and my favorite, Navida (Christmas). A typical party around Christmas time starts at 6 am with the preparation of the lechon (pork) and parranda music in the background. While that gets done we make coquito for the entire neighborhood. And the actually party starts at 6 pm, I have so many beautiful memories around this holiday. These gatherings are truly part of our culture.
Maggie: Usually that family is extremely important. I view HOLA as an extended family and I want it to succeed.

Why did you volunteer to lead the HOLA affinity group?

Maggie: As I mentioned earlier, usually Hispanic/Latinx people tend to treat a group or environment as a whole, as family. It’s something similar to “it takes a village...” However, instead of raising a child, we tend to look out for each other as a group, as family. My desire to not let the family fail, to make sure that everyone is included and recognized or supported was so strong, is what prompted me to step up.
Andrea: I am a born and raised Puerto Rican who moved from the island to Arizona after graduating college in PR and I knew the challenges that came with that. I wanted to have a community within Axon to share my traditions and learn from others. I decided to launch HOLA because I knew we had a huge community of Hispanic/Latinx employees who were also looking for that. Someone had to put on the boots and get the job done, so I did and I couldn't be happier.

What is the best piece of advice you have received over the course of your career?

Andrea: “Always do what that makes you happy.” When my mom told me that for the first time I was 10 years old and I’ve applied it to every decision I’ve made since then. I believe it’s extremely important to prioritize happiness and my mental health because without those two...who are we?
Maggie: Always be true to myself, no matter what. I also liked what Jose Villegas, Axon's Senior Director Commercial Controllership recently said during our first HOLA event, to not let my background be a disability, but to use it as leverage in my career.


At Axon, Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (JEDI) is central to everything we do on our mission to Protect Life — from our products to workplace culture. Axon supports employee Affinity Groups to serve as core pathways for engaging our employees in our JEDI work, while also fostering belonging and professional development for their members. We’re taking bold steps to build for racial equity, diversity and inclusion, and we rely on the diverse perspectives of our employees to help us drive success. At Axon, everyone is a part of the JEDI team — come join us!

Andrea Cordero Rivera is part of Axon's Leadership Development Program and currently serves as the Associate Chief of Staff for the President's Office. Her most recent experience was as a Product Manager for Axon Virtual/Augmented Reality team. She has a passion for changing the way people do things, making life easier and more efficient. She currently serves as a co-leader for HOLA.

Maggie Duarte has worked at Axon for over 4 years. She works in our Finance Department/Revenue unit as a Revenue Accountant. Passionate about diversity, equity and inclusion, she was a member of the Axon Allies LGBTQ+ Affinity Group for two years prior to stepping up to serve as co-leader for HOLA.  Maggie also serves on the Human Relations Advisory Board with the City of Mesa.

BLOG: Insights and Perspectives-Introducing Axon's newest Affinity Group Leaders

Insights and Perspectives-Introducing Axon's newest Affinity Group Leaders

At Axon, we place a high value on Product Design and user experience. We recognize how critical an intuitive and consistent user experience is to our customers’ and communities’ safety—including TASER devices, Digital Evidence Management, VR training, body cameras, and Records and Dispatch software. To learn more about how Axon maintains a competitive edge by valuing Product Design, we sat down with Daan Lindhout, our VP of Product Design & UX Research.

What sets the Axon Product Research & Design team apart?

Axon is working on meaningful problems around safety and justice that directly improve and protect the lives of people around the globe. Our products play a crucial role in getting people help when they need it and preserving truth. Working at Axon is an opportunity to apply your knowledge and insights for social good. It’s our mission to Protect Life that galvanizes our team of 45 Product Designers and UX Researchers, who are each passionate about improving communities around the world. 

The Product Design and UX Research team is well established at Axon. We have an Axon Design System that guides each new project and application with tremendous support from the larger organization. The entire company recognizes how critical our work is to Axon’s success in empowering our customers to keep communities safe. And the level of integration in our ecosystem, the ease with which our products work together, makes us an industry leader.

We start by ensuring we understand the needs of our users. Our UX Researchers conduct usability testing with customers across industries and use cases. Usability testing is an opportunity to get insight into customers’ workflows, observe them doing their jobs, and seek feedback on our product ideas. It’s a fantastic moment when we truly understand their perspective and experience, and then improve their experience through our products.

Our solutions are being used in pivotal moments when getting help faster and better can quite literally save lives. So, we prioritize ease of use, efficiency, effectiveness and consistency, with an emphasis on how we can achieve these tenants through connectivity—like a body cam automatically recording when sirens turn on or a TASER device is deployed.

Product design can be challenging work, especially given the complex social settings our products are used in. The Axon network needs to function seamlessly in the rapidly evolving, emotionally charged settings our customers encounter. It is important to note the scenarios our customers encounter differ. Axon products must flex to service customers around the globe, each with their own procedures, laws and social norms.

We’re growing rapidly, expanding our team to meet the needs of Axon’s expanding ecosystem of public safety solutions. Across the globe—from the US to Vietnam and remote—we’re hiring. I am really passionate not just about the work we do, but about the team we’ve built. There is nothing more rewarding than growing a team of driven individuals who are doing the best and most impactful work of their lives. I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished together and am excited about the innovations yet to come.

Daan Lindhout serves as the VP of Product Design & UX Research at Axon. He brings 21 years of experience designing successful complex consumer and enterprise solutions and 14 years starting, growing and leading multi-disciplinary UX Design & Research teams and defining and executing on corporate product strategy. A Product Designer by heart, he has a passion for starting and building UX Design & Research teams and developing talented designers and researchers.

BLOG: Axon Keeps a Competitive Edge by Prioritizing Product Design

Axon Keeps a Competitive Edge by Prioritizing Product Design

At Axon, we recognize that supporting our employees' whole selves is critical to our continued sustainable success. We go beyond PTO, prioritizing emotional and mental wellness that meets employees' needs wherever they are in the world. This isn’t a this-or-that solution, it’s a yes-and solution.

With the impact of COVID-19 on our mental and emotional wellbeing, this is more important now than ever. The Kaiser Family Foundation reported 4 in 10 adults in our country have reported anxiety or depression symptoms during the pandemic, up from 1 in 10 in 2019. The Suicide Prevention Lifeline network received 2.4 million calls in 2020 — the highest in its history. And so in honor of Depression and Mental Health Awareness Month, we'd like to share our efforts to keep mental health issues in the foreground of conversations and focus on how we can help each other every day.

We’re In This Together
If there has been any silver lining to the pandemic, it is the growing acceptance of open conversations about mental health at home and in the workplace.

Dr. Richard Carmona, former Surgeon General under George W. Bush and a member of Axon’s Board of Directors, recently spoke about mental health during the pandemic, and he explained that we are still in the mitigation phase and we need to recognize it’s not just a physical health issue but also a mental health one. COVID fatigue is very real, and as we gain more control over physical health issues, we all need to focus on mental health — no one is exempt.

With our company-wide focus on employee mental health, we're in a better position to support our employees, communicating early and often to ensure they can thrive. We desire to be transparent and authentic with our employee resources, and continue to proactively look for opportunities to expand our offerings. We have added access to Weldon’s expert-led parent webinars and Empower Health's wellness incentive program as part of our updated healthcare benefits. We also offer access for employees and their entire families to an award-winning mental health mobile app, Ginger, which provides on-demand personal care in an app.


“There have been a number of events over this past year that have been emotionally, mentally charging. Our employees are trying to solve some of society's biggest challenges around safety and justice and that can be mentally wearing. We continue to evolve our mental health resources to best benefit our employees- including following up with what's working and what's not. Accountability at the top really matters. We encourage all employees to take a mental health day and label it a mental health day.”

 — Elizabeth Hart, VP People Ops

Ensuring Access to Mental Health Care
Recognizing and acknowledging that we all need help sometimes is the key to de-stigmatizing mental health.

Our motivation for partnering with Ginger has a lot to do with accessibility and availability, as we know a lot of our employees who are interested in support often can’t access on-site mental health care. With the Ginger app, they can instantly find support. Through real-time chats or video calls, our employees can get advice on how to maintain resilience, counseling on work life and therapeutic support for mental health, including stress, anxiety and depression.

Aimee Bevel, an Axon Quality System Specialist, used the Ginger app after her mother passed away in December of 2020. "My therapist with Ginger has helped me a lot. It works with a busy work schedule and provides reminders and a lot of helpful tools."

Other employees use the app for progress check-ins and utilize the chat function when they need a quick talk through particular anxieties.

"I was intimidated at first and didn't have any clear goals around what I wanted to accomplish, but she walked me through the process and created a very relaxed environment," a corporate recruiter with Axon explained. "Each week, we do progress check-ins and she keeps me on track with meeting my new goals. In addition, the text-based chat function is convenient and easy to fit into my schedule."

"So far in my time with Ginger, I've had help from their coaches on setting personal goals and tips on how to stick to them," one employee said. "For more serious concerns, the therapists are readily available to tackle any issues I want to discuss, whether it's work-related or otherwise. Having that kind of access through the app is reassuring, and I wish more companies offered this service to employees."

We Recognize Global Teams and Support Accordingly
All employees, regardless of location, have access to Ginger’s texting mental health professional function, online events and mental health resources. Axon locations span the globe, with offices in North America, Vietnam, the EU and Australia. As we’ve grown our teams, it’s always been important that our culture transcends borders. When COVID-19 shut our office doors around the world, the leadership team was determined to make every Axon location feel supported even when we could no longer be physically present together, including remote options, care packages and more. We know this sometimes means something different in various regions.

Ginger is a trademark of Ginger.IO, Inc.


ARTICLE: Making Mental Health a Priority at Axon

Making Mental Health a Priority at Axon

Over the past 3 months, we’ve received more than 150 RISE nominations recognizing incredible public safety Officers, Agencies and Community organizations that have made an impact in their communities. Thank you for sharing your stories and voting for those who have made a difference. In all, nearly 17,000 community votes were cast to determine our top 10 finalists in each category.

Today, we are excited to announce our 30 finalists! To all of our nominees, we are honored to recognize you and share your stories. Our panel of judges is currently reviewing the finalists in each category to select our final winners who will be announced at Axon Accelerate. 

One of our goals at Axon is to encourage and support customers and communities making a positive impact on others. If you have body-worn camera footage or stories of positive or heroic interactions between your staff and the public, we encourage you to send them to video@axon.com and they will be featured in Axon social media and video projects.

Now, meet our RISE Award Finalists!

Officer Joreeca Dinnall - Hendersonville, NC
Officer Hubbard - Pottsville, AR
Sgt. Mark Tappan - Alpharetta, GA
Officer Cole - Killeen, TX
Officer Marshall - Cypress, CA
Officer Rhonda Wood - Gwinnett County, GA
Deputy Hearn -  Bell County, TX
Officer Travis Johns - Lincoln County, SD
Deputy Eddicus and Officer Kostohryz - Ramsey County, MN
Sgt. Anthony Shea - Orange County, FL



Santa Fe College Police Department- Gainesville, FL
Fond du Lac Police Department - Fond du Lac, WI
Province of British Columbia Police/ British Columbia Women in Law Enforcement - British Columbia, Canada
Franklin County Sheriff’s Office - Chambersburg, PA
Tye Police Department - Tye, TX
Walla Walla Police Department - Walla Walla, WA
Vancouver Police - Vancouver, Canada
Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office - Lincoln County, SD
Redlands Police Department - Redlands, CA
Huntington Beach Police Department - Huntington Beach, CA



Out On Patrol - British Columbia, Canada
Building Bridges Program - Niagara Falls, NY
Police Activity League (PAL) of Waterbury, Inc - Waterbury, CT
Georgia K9 Foundation - GA
African Friendship Society - Vancouver, Canada
Orange County Department on Aging; Handy Helper Program - Orange County, NC
Boots on the Ground - Ontario, Canada
Garland Citizen Police Academy Alumni Association (GCPAAA) - Garland, TX
Delray Citizens for Delray Police - Delray, FL
God's Gift, Inc. - Broward County, FL


As a reminder, here are the categories and prizes:

The RISE Officer award honors three officers who have saved a life or shown exemplary performance in the field. Three Officer winners will receive an all-expense paid trip to Axon Accelerate in Phoenix, Arizona 

The RISE Agency award recognizes a department for making great strides in building up their community. One Agency winner will receive a $7,500 grant for their police foundation, police nonprofit or community program 

The RISE Community award honors a community program working hand in hand with law enforcement to benefit their local community. One Community winner will receive a $7,500 grant for program funding 

Over the past 3 months, we’ve received more than 150 RISE nominations recognizing incredible public safety *Officers*, *Agencies* and *Community* organizations that have made an impact in their communities.

ARTICLE: The 2021 RISE Awards - Meet our Finalists

The 2021 RISE Awards - Meet our Finalists

Axon is excited to welcome our new SVP of Marketing, Kathryn Smith, to our leadership team. Kathryn joins Axon from Skullcandy, where she led global marketing efforts, developing and implementing their international expansion. Over the past decade, Kathryn has scaled global brands across consumer tech and sporting goods. 

Kathryn’s expertise in building compelling stories and driving global brand awareness will play a leading role in Axon's continued expansion as a global leader in public safety technology.

“I am so excited to join the Axon leadership team. I was drawn to Axon for its powerful and ambitious mission to protect life, and I look forward to leading and growing the marketing team as we continue to pursue this goal.” 

Kathryn holds a B.A. from College of Charleston, SC. She presently resides in Salt Lake City, UT.

What excites you most about working at Axon? 
Joining the Axon team was truly a no-brainer for me! Working for a company that’s transforming public safety through innovative technology is an incredible opportunity and a new challenge. I am excited to utilize my experience in marketing consumer goods to expand Axon’s global impact.

What do you foresee as the biggest marketing challenge in the public safety space?
To me, the biggest challenge is taking a brand that has been very successful selling to one type of customer and opening that aperture up to reach all types of public safety communities, both domestically and internationally. We’ve been so successful in establishing mutually beneficial partnerships with law enforcement, but we also have opportunities to serve the needs of adjacent industries and communities as a whole. Additionally, public safety looks and acts differently around the world, so we need to make sure that we are truly thinking globally with our marketing efforts to ensure the Axon logo holds the same meaning no matter where it's seen. One of our greatest opportunities is to be thought leaders and drive innovation and safety across the world. Axon is just scratching the surface in terms of who we market to, and that’s exciting. As marketers, we have a unique opportunity to tell the Axon story to build trust, increase brand awareness and further our mission to protect life. 

What are your 5-year goals for the marketing team and Axon in general?
My ultimate goal is to have a marketing team that the rest of the organization trusts, supports and looks to as valued partners within the company. I want every single person on my team to have the tools they need to drive this brand forward as leaders in transforming and modernizing public safety. As we start thinking about Axon in the next 5 years or so, we want to drive towards the ultimate goal of creating a recognizable and trusted brand- not just in the public safety space- but also to communities that our customers serve. Our vision is for the name Axon to be globally synonymous with our mission to Protect Life.

Looking ahead, what are you most excited for?
Right now, there are two things that I’m really excited about. Short term, I have the opportunity to build an amazing team and build trust as their leader and mentor. I am extremely motivated by what I can offer my team and alternatively, what they can teach me about being a part of Axon. Long term, I’m excited to bring the Axon brand to life for larger audiences, including a consumer audience that may not yet know our mission to protect life and the products we make to support that.  There is currently a major societal shift in focus on public safety and the communities they serve.  Each day, we have the ability to come to work to build and develop technologies and solutions for transparency and accountability. It’s such an exciting time to be a part of the company that is supporting both public safety and communities by developing products that ensure everyone gets home safe.  

To view open roles on Kathryn’s team, visit: www.axon.com/careers



College of Charleston is a trademark of College of Charleston State University South Carolina and Skullcandy is a trademark of Skullcandy, Inc.

Over the past few months, we’ve received 156 incredible RISE nominations recognizing public safety heroes, including the *Officers*, *Agencies* and *Community* organizations that have made an impact in their communities. Thank you for sharing your stories with us and voting for those who have made an impact. Starting next week our panel of judges will begin to review the top 10 finalists in each category to select a winner.

ARTICLE: Axon Welcomes Kathryn Smith as SVP of Marketing

Axon Welcomes Kathryn Smith as SVP of Marketing

Over the past few months, we’ve received 156 incredible RISE nominations recognizing public safety heroes, including the Officers, Agencies and Community organizations that have made an impact in their communities. Thank you for sharing your stories with us and voting for those who have made an impact. Starting next week our panel of judges will begin to review the top 10 finalists in each category to select a winner.

Remember, you can vote to select the 10 finalists in each category through tomorrow (9/17) at axon.com/riseawards

Today, we’re excited to announce the judges who will review those finalists and select the winners. Drumroll please!

Former Chief of Police, Seattle Police Department

Chief Best served with the Seattle Police Department for 28 years, rising from patrol officer to become the first Black woman to lead the department. 

Among her many accomplishments as Chief of Police was the creation of the Collaborative Police Bureau, an SPD initiative to encourage community partnerships and engagement. She also facilitated record-breaking diversity hiring and recruitment within SPD.

Best has received dozens of awards for her contributions to community engagement, public safety, gender equity, and diversity and inclusion, including the FBI National Executive Institute Associates (NEIA) National Law Enforcement Ethics Award 2020. She was also awarded the prestigious Ellis Island Medal of Honor, dedicated to recognizing individuals who selflessly contribute to society and uphold the ideals of America, an award read into the Congressional Record.

Chief Technology Officer and Co-Founder, Taclogix, Inc

Dan is a 27-year veteran of the Los Angeles Police Department, where he rose through the ranks to serve as Chief Technology Officer, leading LAPD’s Tactical Technology Section and establishing its first Innovation and Strategic Planning Division.

Now, as Chief Technology Officer and co-founder of Taclogix, Inc., Dan uses his deep knowledge and experience in law enforcement to implement enterprise-wide technology solutions for public safety agencies.

Dan is a nationally recognized subject matter expert in a variety of public safety and homeland security technologies, including the use of artificial intelligence for crime fighting, automated license plate recognition and digital in-car video systems, digital and analog communication systems and the development of mobile applications for operational and tactical use by police officers in the field.

VP of Community Impact, Axon

As Axon’s VP of Community Impact, Regina connects our public safety customers to the communities they serve by helping to build transparent, trusting and productive relationships. Before joining Axon, she served as Senior Program Manager of NYU’s Policing Project and helped to implement the Neighborhood Policing Initiative in the City of Chicago.

During her tenure as a Clinical Fellow at Suffolk University Law School, Regina developed housing discrimination investigations that led to the publication of a study in Yale Law School’s Journal of Law and Feminism.

Regina is a Senior Atlantic Fellow for Racial Equity through a partnership between Columbia University and the Nelson Mandela Foundation.

Former Director, Arizona Department of Public Safety

ColonelMilstead led the Arizona Department of Public Safety from 2015 to 2020, where he established a track record of suppressing crime through innovative crime-fighting programs and technological advancements.

Since leaving the department, Colonel Milstead has served as CEO of Big Leadership, a coaching and consulting firm. At Big Leadership, he helps others in public safety learn the techniques for interpersonal relationships and open, transparent communication that have served him throughout his career.

Colonel Milstead serves on numerous federal, state, tribal, county and municipal law enforcement boards, councils, and commissions. He has been awarded the Torch of Liberty award from the Phoenix Anti-Defamation League, the Medal of Valor, the Rotary Heroism award, and the Medal of Lifesaving.


CEO & Founder, Axon

Equipped with a belief in technology and his vision of making the bullet obsolete, Rick launched our company and the original TASER energy weapon in 1993.

As the TASER device became ubiquitous in law enforcement, Rick then pushed the company to go beyond weapons tech toward a broader mission of innovation in public safety to help make the world a safer place. Under his leadership, the company has grown from a garage in Tucson to a NASDAQ-listed global market leader in energy weapons, body-worn cameras, productivity software and VR training.


ARTICLE: The 2021 RISE Awards - Judges Announced

The 2021 RISE Awards - Judges Announced

Twenty-eight years ago, Rick Smith launched the first TASER device, the Air TASER. Along with a product came a mission: to Protect Life by making the bullet obsolete. Since then, we’ve expanded the Axon Network to include a vast ecosystem of technologies and tools for public safety. Today, we celebrate the strides we’ve made to make the world a safer place.

“Axon products represent how we can use innovative technology and training to save lives and make a difference. But our products are nothing without the people that carry them and keep us safe. Thank you for being part of Axon’s journey to make the world a safer place.” -Rick Smith, Axon CEO & Founder

Twenty-eight years ago, Rick Smith launched the first TASER device, the Air TASER. Along with a product came a mission: to Protect Life by making the bullet obsolete.

ARTICLE: Protecting Life for 28 Years

Protecting Life for 28 Years

We’ve received incredible RISE stories about public safety heroes across the nation, including the Officers, Agencies and Community organizations that have made an impact in their communities. Now, it’s time to show your support by voting for your favorite stories!

Through Sept. 17, vote once a day for your favorite nominees. The top 10 finalists in each category will then be reviewed by a panel of judges who will select the final winners!

To see all RISE submissions, visit the gallery page at axon.com/riseawards


Check out some inspiring submissions below:

Perry County Sheriff’s Office; Perry County, PA

Just before Christmas last year, in Perry County, PA, Deputies Jared Charles and Andrew Bustin were responding to a county dispatch for a fire at a nearby service station. They were the first rescuers to arrive on scene. Employees of the service garage informed them there were people living in the second-floor apartments in the burning building. Without hesitation or concern for their own well-being, Deputies Charles and Bustin attempted to gain entrance to the building, but were unable to do so because of heat and smoke. They then saw the residents exiting the building onto the roof through a second-story window. The deputies parked their vehicle underneath the roof where the family of five and their dog had huddled to escape the flames. As smoke billowed from the windows, Charles climbed atop the patrol vehicle and handed the family members and their pets off to Bustin on the ground. Charles then found the badly burned occupant of another apartment outside. She had jumped from her second story apartment window. Charles rendered first aid until medical personnel arrived.

Vote and view the full story HERE


St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office

St. John the Baptist Parish, LA
The duties of the St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office go beyond its core responsibility of law enforcement. Local senior citizens hold a special place within the hearts of officers here, so enhancing their lives is an agency priority. There are 6,500 seniors in St. John Parish, with nearly 2,000 being war veterans. To provide assistance to this population, Sheriff Tregre created Protect Our Precious Seniors (POPS). In its first year, about 20 seniors registered for the weekly welfare check-ins from officers. Over the last nine years, the program has grown tremendously to directly help about 200 seniors in need and provide additional services to nearly all the parish’s senior residents. During check-ins, officers visit seniors in their home to assess overall condition, bring a meal and to have meaningful conversations. “Officers never look for recognition or monetary reimbursement for what they spend to help our seniors,” Sheriff Tregre said. “Their payment is the satisfaction and the blessing received from helping someone in need. Serving our senior citizens is our way of showing support and appreciation for all they have done for our community. All we want to do is make our seniors feel safer, have less stress, and be more positive about their life.”

Vote and view the full story HERE


Cedar Hill, TX
The Cedar Hill PD Police and Community Team (PACT) was created to strengthen the relationship between the community and the police department. The PACT unit dedicates their time to creating programs that build relationships directly with community members. The unit delivers food to elderly individuals every Monday, regularly assists with food drives in the community, puts on CPAAA and COP courses that engage community members, and host an annual Youth Summit. The unit also runs the Drug Take Back program, offers free home safety inspections, Lunch with a COP, Crime Watch and Prevention classes, and child safety seat assistance. In effort to proactively reach out to community members who might not seek help, Chief Reyes developed the Neighborhood Walk. During Neighborhood Walks, leaders from the Cedar Hill City Council, Police Department and the Mayor’s office walk door to door in order to better connect with the community. The response from the community has been so overwhelmingly positive that the walks were changed from quarterly to every other month.

Vote and view the full story HERE

As a reminder, the RISE Awards seeks to recognize the public safety heroes and community partners among us, in the following categories:

The RISE Officer award honors three officers who have saved a life or shown exemplary performance in the field. 
- 3 Officer winners will receive an all-expense paid trip to the Axon Accelerate conference in Phoenix, Arizona

The RISE Agency award recognizes a department for making great strides in building up their community. 
- 1 Agency winner will receive a $7,500 grant for their police foundation, police nonprofit or community program

The RISE Community award honors a community program working hand in hand with law enforcement to benefit their local community.
- 1 Community winner will receive a $7,500 grant for program funding

ARTICLE: The 2021 RISE Awards - Community Voting is Open

The 2021 RISE Awards - Community Voting is Open!

There’s still time to nominate the Officers, Agencies and Community organizations that have made an impact in your communities! Axon’s RISE Awards deadline has been extended through September 1st.

To nominate, please visit: www.axon.com/riseawards

Deputy Charles Williams
Deputy Charles Williams from the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office was responding to a mental health-related call with an agitated subject. When he thought the subject was going to comply, the subject suddenly turned and thrust a screwdriver into the deputy's neck. This would have merited a use of lethal force, and the deputy had his hand on his gun, but he quickly decided to de-escalate the situation by deploying a TASER energy weapon. The subject is still alive today due to the deputy's quick thinking and decision to use a TASER.

Coral Springs Police Department
For 5 out of the last six years, (2020 programming was cancelled due to Covid), the Coral Springs Police Department has run a Summer Youth Program for underserved elementary-age students. Each summer, three days a week for six weeks, Coral Springs School Resource Officers provide activities, sports, mentoring and food for approximately 110 campers. Teens are also provided with the opportunity to volunteer and build community service hours before graduation. Hearing and eye exams are administered to students, some of whom have never been evaluated before.

Youth engage with officers in a nurturing environment that builds bridges in underserved communities. Through these relationships, Coral Springs PD identifies families in need of additional services throughout the year. These families receive Thanksgiving Baskets and Shop With A Cop opportunities. Every camper leaves at the end of the summer with uniforms and a backpack of school supplies for the upcoming year.

Out On Patrol
Out On Patrol is a peer support organization for 2SLGBTQ+ law enforcement members focused on community outreach, charitable work and education in the Metro Vancouver area.

For many Out On Patrol members, working in law enforcement is mentally and emotionally draining. Strong peer support networks are key to mental resilience and stress relief. Out On Patrol is not only dedicated to supporting members and providing peer support networks, but also uses their unique position as part of the 2SLGBTQ+ community to build strong, positive, inclusive connections between law enforcement and the greater queer community.

There have been great strides over the years to bridge the gap between the 2SLGBTQ+ community and law enforcement. Out On Patrol recognizes there is still work to be done and is proud to host events that provide the community a positive and welcoming space to interact with 2SLGBTQ+ law enforcement members.

To combat bullying and advocate for 2SLGBTQ+ rights, Out On Patrol is planning educational presentations for elementary and secondary schools. These presentations will provide a platform for members to act as positive role models for youth interested in pursuing a career in law enforcement.


To see more submissions, visit the gallery page at www.axon.com/riseawards


The RISE Officer award honors three officers who have saved a life or shown exemplary performance in the field. 


The RISE Agency award recognizes a department for making great strides in building up their community. 


The RISE Community award honors a community program working hand in hand with law enforcement to benefit their local community.


Nominations will be accepted through September 1st, followed by community voting from September 2nd through September 17th. A panel of judges will review the top 10 finalists in each category and select the winners.

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