Sid Heal may be history’s most prolific contributor to the study of tactical doctrine for law enforcement. His journey began in 1968 at the age of 18, when he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. Six months later, Sid was deployed to Viet Nam where he was combat-wounded in the first of what would be four combat deployments over his 35-year career in the Marines and Marine Corps Reserves.

After returning from Viet Nam, Sid pursued his formal education, eventually earning his bachelor’s and two master’s degrees. While attending criminology courses, Sid became enthralled with law enforcement and in 1977, he became a deputy sheriff on the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Sid worked patrol in south-central Los Angeles before transferring to the Special Enforcement Bureau where he became a SWAT team leader. In later years, Sid would return to SEB as the unit commander.

As a team leader, Sid was tasked with conducting research on flash-sound diversionary devices to address a complete lack of safety data and training material. Sid performed original research and wrote his groundbreaking Diversionary Devices Reference Manual. This document set the stage for all that has followed regarding training and testimony for flash-sound diversionary devices. It also marked the beginning of Sid’s prolific writing career. Sid’s essential publications, include the books “Sound Doctrine” and “Field Command.” He also penned over 130 articles that appeared in the NTOA’s The Tactical Edge.

During his parallel careers, Sid advanced both as a Marine and as a law enforcement officer. The LASD and the Marine Corps each recognized Sid’s talent and sought to leverage his experience. The Marines gave Sid complete authority to develop less-lethal systems for the Corps, while the Sheriff’s Department placed him in command of technology exploration. Sid quickly became the nation’s pre-eminent expert on less-lethal weapons. He taught countless law enforcement courses and instructed at all US military war colleges. Sid retired from the Marine Corps in 2004 as a Chief Warrant Officer-5, and from the LASD in 2008 at the rank of commander.

Sid was a true renaissance man who possessed remarkable insights and a passion for his service to others. But no discussion of Sid would be complete without some mention of his faith in God, and his devotion to his wife Linda and their five children.