LAB-434-Behind the Badge: Ryan's Reflections on a 30-Year Law Enforcement Career | Episode 1 of 2
About this episode
Law Abiding Biker hosts dive into a mix of motorcycle gear updates and personal stories, starting with Ryan's reflections on his 30-year career in law enforcement. The crew discusses the latest shop updates, including new leather gear, Guardian bells, and upcoming Indian Motorcycle content. They also share insights on popular upgrades like Butt Buffer seat cushions and Hog Workz headlights, blending practical riding advice with behind-the-scenes stories from the road and the badge.
This is episode 1 of 2. We take a look back at Ryan's 30 year law enforcement career. Ryan retired from the Yakima Police Department last July and is now working full time at Law Abiding Biker. Ryan's path into law enforcement didn't start with a trooper's badge. He began in 1994 as a Reserve Sheriff's Deputy for Yakima County. In 1995 he moved to the Yakima County Department of Security, working courthouse law enforcement duties. On December 11, 1995, he was hired by the Washington State Patrol, graduated the WSP Academy, and was commissioned as a Trooper in July 1996.
At the Washington State Patrol Ryan performed normal trooper duties, but also was a Serious Highway Crime Apprehension Team (SHCAT) member, K9 handler, and K9 instuctor.
SUPPORT US AND SHOP IN THE OFFICIAL LAW ABIDING BIKER STOREIn April of 2006 Ryan lateral transferred to the Yakima Police Department where he spent the majority of his law enforcement career. In addition to routine patrol officer duties Ryan was a Police Training Officer (PTO), Narcotics K9 handler, Pro Act Team undercover officer, Gang Team member, Safe Streets Task Force Detective, Motors officer, and Motors Instructor.
CHECK OUT OUR HUNDREDS OF FREE HELPFUL VIDEOS ON OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL AND SUBSCRIBE!Across his career, Ryan was voted Officer of the Year by his own squad three times in 2008, 2014, and 2016. He received a Yakima PD commendation in 2008 for going above and beyond for a house fire victim, and recognition the same year for the apprehension of two assault suspects from a 2004 shooting. He was recognized by the DEA (2004) for contributions to drug law enforcement, by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Washington (2005) for the large-scale "Operation No Mas" investigation, and by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (2007) for "Operation Intolerance." Over the course of his career, he also authored and executed numerous search warrants.
Ryan retired from law enforcement on July 31, 2025, after thirty years of service across multipleWashington agencies. He's now focused full-time on Law Abiding Biker, the motorcycle media branded store he built alongside his law enforcement career.
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- Steven Mona of Sea Cliff, New York
- Bernard Hawco of Newcastle, Ontario, Canada
- John Marcum of Spring City, Tennessee
- De Ann Brown of South Jordan, Utah
- Jeff Puyleart of Couer D Alene, Idaho
- Michael Gempel of Green Valley, Arizona
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Indian Motorcycle
"I will tell you because you're both Indian folks. I cannot tell you everything. There's some behind the scenes stuff going on that I'm doing and everything's getting finalized. It's a big deal and it's going to be Indian content for the channel."
A famous American brand that makes large, comfortable cruising motorcycles. They are one of the oldest motorcycle companies in the world and are the main competitor to Harley-Davidson.
Indian Motorcycle is America's first motorcycle company, founded in 1901, famous for its iconic cruiser and touring bikes like the Chief and Roadmaster. The brand is known for its classic styling, heritage-rich V-twin engines, and historic rivalry with Harley-Davidson.
Harley-Davidson
"we finalized something and everybody's going to sign on the dotted lines and then we're not, obviously we're still going to do a ton of Harley content, whatever other motorcycles."
The most famous American motorcycle company, known for making loud, heavy, classic-looking bikes designed for long highway trips.
Harley-Davidson is an iconic American motorcycle manufacturer founded in 1903, renowned for pioneering the heavyweight cruiser segment. The brand is defined by its signature V-twin engines, distinct exhaust note, and deeply loyal global rider community.
Honda Goldwing
"If BMW sends me when I do a BMW, if Honda Goldwing sends me when I do a Honda Goldwing, I have never, I love all bikes."
A very large, high-end motorcycle made by Honda that is designed for ultimate comfort on long road trips. It has a huge engine, comfortable seats, and lots of technology, making it feel almost like a car on two wheels.
The Honda Goldwing is a legendary touring motorcycle introduced in 1975, celebrated for its exceptionally smooth flat-six engine and shaft drive. It serves as the gold standard for long-distance luxury two-wheel travel, offering car-like comfort features.
Ciro 3D
"Zero 3D has a wide variety of innovative products for your Harley Davidson and a brand new line for the all new Honda Goldwing named Goldstrike"
A company that makes custom add-on parts, fancy lights, and comfort accessories for big motorcycles.
Ciro 3D is a prominent aftermarket manufacturer specializing in high-quality accessories, lighting, and comfort products for Harley-Davidson and Honda Goldwing motorcycles. They are particularly known for their innovative LED lighting solutions and plug-and-play integration.
CAN bus
"Goldstrike are the motorcycle LED lighting innovators for Canbus plug and play system compatibility."
A computerized system inside modern vehicles that lets all the different electronic parts talk to each other using fewer wires. It makes installing new electronic accessories trickier because they have to be compatible with this digital network.
A Controller Area Network (CAN bus) is a robust vehicle bus standard designed to allow microcontrollers and devices to communicate with each other's applications without a host computer. In modern motorcycles, it simplifies wiring by sending digital signals over a shared network rather than dedicated individual wires.
HogWorkz
"It's all about the hog works lurch because they build motorcycle parts the way bikers want them clean fit quality finish"
A popular brand that makes custom parts, bright headlights, and saddlebags for Harley-Davidson motorcycles.
HogWorkz is an aftermarket motorcycle parts brand specializing in bodywork, LED lighting, and luggage solutions primarily for Harley-Davidson models. They are highly regarded in the enthusiast community for offering OEM-quality parts at a more accessible price point.
Jeep Wrangler
"I got cowboy boots. I got Wranglers. I got me a hat and yeah, I told him to get a lon..."
The Jeep Wrangler is a rugged SUV made by Jeep that is famous for its ability to drive over rough, muddy, or rocky ground. You can take its doors and roof completely off to drive in the open air. It is designed for people who want a vehicle built for outdoor adventures.
The Jeep Wrangler is an iconic, highly capable off-road SUV known for its rugged body-on-frame design, removable doors, and fold-down windshield. Tracing its lineage back to the World War II military Willys MB, the current JL generation offers a mix of traditional trail-rated capability and modern infotainment. It is a frequent topic of discussion due to its massive aftermarket support and dedicated community of outdoor enthusiasts.
Batwing fairing
"So the first one is going to be how to remove and install a 2024 and newer Harley Batwing fairing. That's the new redesign fairing."
The large, wing-shaped plastic or fiberglass shield on the front of a touring motorcycle that blocks the wind from hitting the rider and holds the stereo and gauges.
A batwing fairing is a distinctively shaped front aerodynamic shell mounted on the handlebars or forks of touring motorcycles, most famously associated with Harley-Davidson Electra Glide and Street Glide models. It protects the rider from wind and weather while housing instruments, mirrors, and audio systems.
Chevrolet Caprice
"And, uh, here comes this guy that in his, was it like a 1992, probably upside down bathtub. Yeah. They look like upside down bathtubs. Caprice. The Chevy Caprices."
A large, heavy American sedan from the 1990s that was extremely popular as a police car and taxi. It is known for its rounded, bathtub-like shape and smooth, powerful ride.
The fourth-generation Chevrolet Caprice (1991–1996) is a full-size, body-on-frame sedan famous for its distinctive rounded 'bubble' styling and its widespread use as a police interceptor (9C1 package). It featured robust rear-wheel-drive architecture and, in later years, the legendary LT1 V8 engine shared with the Corvette.
Holden Caprice
"They look like upside down bathtubs. Caprice. The Chevy Caprices."
The Holden Caprice is a large, comfortable four-door sedan made by an Australian car company. It was designed to carry passengers in comfort with lots of legroom and a strong engine. In the United States, a version of this car was imported specifically to be used as a police car.
The Holden Caprice is a full-size luxury sedan produced by General Motors' Australian division from 1990 to 2017. Known for its spacious rear legroom and powerful V8 engine options, it served as the flagship of the Holden lineup. In North America, the final generation of this rear-wheel-drive sedan was imported and sold exclusively to law enforcement as the Chevrolet Caprice Police Patrol Vehicle (PPV).
false compartment
"He's a wiring guy and so they're making all these false compartments. I mean, they're even bond doing over it underneath beds of trucks and it's very hard to detect."
A secret hidden space built into a car or truck used by smugglers to hide illegal items. They are often opened using hidden buttons or magnets that trigger electronic locks.
A false compartment (often called a 'trap' in law enforcement) is a hidden, aftermarket chamber welded or built into a vehicle's structure to smuggle contraband. These compartments are often highly sophisticated, utilizing electronic actuators, magnetic switches, and complex relays tied to factory vehicle wiring to open.
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