Lieutenant Jeb Bozarth has built a career defined by service, leadership, and resilience. Born into a military family, he grew up with discipline and duty as everyday values. By 18, he followed that path into the U.S. Navy. He spent 14 years as a Seabee Equipment Operator 1st Class, serving in the Persian Gulf, Somalia, and Iraq. Those deployments taught him adaptability and persistence when conditions were at their toughest.
In 2006, Bozarth transitioned into law enforcement with the Henderson Police Department in Nevada. Over nearly two decades, he rose from patrol officer to SWAT Commander and K9 Lieutenant. Along the way he earned his department’s Medal of Valor, served during the Route 91 Harvest Festival shooting, and was named Supervisor of the Year in 2023. He also trained officers as an FBI/NRA certified firearms instructor, defensive tactics coach, and incident command instructor.
Education remained a priority throughout his career. He holds an advanced Nevada POST Certificate, studied Criminal Justice at Columbia Southern University, and completed Northwestern’s Police and Command School.
After retiring from law enforcement, Bozarth launched Critical Training Solution LLC. The company delivers civilian readiness and active assailant response training to schools, universities, businesses, and public agencies. His approach blends tactical skill with lessons in mindset and preparation, helping people respond with confidence in high-pressure situations.
Today, Bozarth balances business leadership with family and faith. He is a husband, father of five, parishioner at Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, and a passionate supporter of the Las Vegas Golden Knights.
Q&A with Lieutenant Jeb Bozarth: Defining Success Through Service and Steadiness
You’ve worn many uniforms—Navy, police, SWAT Commander, business owner. How do you personally define success?
For me, success has never been about titles or medals. It’s about consistency. In the Navy, you learned quickly that missions rarely go according to plan. Equipment fails. Orders change. Success was being the person your team could rely on, no matter what. Later, in law enforcement, it was the same. People watched how steady you were under pressure. If your team trusts you, that’s success.
You’ve spoken about learning from mistakes early in your police career. How did those shape your path?
When I joined Henderson PD in 2006, I was eager, sometimes too eager. I rushed decisions. I didn’t listen enough. One of my sergeants told me, “Slow down. You’ll see more if you don’t sprint through it.” That hit me hard. Over time, I learned patience. Looking back, those mistakes were turning points. They forced me to build humility into my leadership.
Can you share a moment when success came down to preparation?
In 2009, there was a critical incident where everything happened in seconds. I was later awarded the Medal of Valor, but what mattered wasn’t bravery—it was preparation. I didn’t “rise to the occasion.” I fell back on training. That lesson has carried through my entire career: preparation is success.
You were a responder during the Route 91 Harvest Festival shooting. How did that experience affect your view of success?
That night was chaos on a scale no one expected. You measure success differently in moments like that. It wasn’t about stopping the threat—it was about saving as many people as possible, keeping composure, and helping the community recover. Success was measured in lives protected and lessons learned for the future.
In your training company, you had sessions that didn’t land well. What did that teach you about success in business?
One of my first civilian training sessions went flat. People disengaged. I could have blamed the group, but I knew the responsibility was mine. That night, I stayed up rewriting the program. The next day, it worked. Success in business isn’t avoiding failure. It’s listening, adjusting, and trying again until you connect.
You’ve balanced education with career growth. How has that shaped your idea of success?
Education kept me grounded. I earned my Nevada Advanced POST Certificate, studied Criminal Justice at Columbia Southern University, and went through Northwestern’s Police and Command School. I didn’t do those just to check boxes. For me, success meant never assuming I knew enough. If you think you’ve arrived, you stop growing.
You’ve commanded SWAT teams and also raised five kids. What’s the connection between family life and leadership success?
Funny enough, they’re not that different. In SWAT, consistency builds trust. At home, it’s the same. My wife and kids don’t need me to be perfect. They need me to show up. Even after long shifts or deployments, when I was home, I made it count. I think success is measured by how your family describes you when you’re not around.
You’re also passionate about working cattle, fishing, and even hockey. Do hobbies tie into your view of success?
Absolutely. People think success is 24/7 work, but downtime teaches you balance. Working cattle taught me patience. Barbecue taught me that some things can’t be rushed. Hockey—especially following the Golden Knights—reminded me that joy matters. Without balance, success feels empty.
If a young officer or student asked you how to succeed, what would you tell them?
Don’t chase perfection. Nobody is ready the first time. Success is measured in the second and third attempt. Learn fast, admit mistakes, and stay consistent. And remember, medals and promotions fade. Integrity and steadiness—that’s what lasts.
Looking back across Navy deployments, law enforcement, and business, what’s the single thread that ties your definition of success together?
Service. In the Navy, I served my country. In Henderson, I served my city. With training, I serve communities trying to keep people safe. Success, for me, is knowing that service outlives you. If you made someone safer, steadier, or more prepared, you succeeded.