Sergeant Anthony “Tony” Elliott is a law enforcement officer who gained national attention after surviving a near-fatal line-of-duty shooting in December 2023. During an exchange of gunfire involving a vehicle theft and domestic violence case, Elliott was shot in the head, sustaining critical injuries that initially left little expectation of survival. Despite the severity of his wounds—including paralysis on the left side of his body and a bullet that remains lodged in his brain—he began an intensive recovery process almost immediately.

Through determination and relentless rehabilitation, Elliott progressed from complete immobility to walking, running, and returning to physical training within months. His recovery has been widely recognized as remarkable. Today, he shares his story to speak on resilience, mindset, and overcoming adversity, offering a powerful perspective on mental toughness, recovery, and the realities of the profession.

Robert Miller is a former law enforcement officer with the Battle Creek, Michigan Police Department and previously served as Director of the Kellogg Community College Police Academy. He currently serves as an Instructor in Law Enforcement/Criminal Justice with the Calhoun Intermediate School District at the Calhoun Area Career Center. During his career, Miller survived a line-of-duty shooting in 2006 and was later named Battle Creek’s Officer of the Year in 2007 for his performance, dedication, and commitment to the profession. In 2010, he was involved in a critical incident in which he used deadly force to stop an armed attacker. Miller also speaks candidly about personal challenges during his career, including an extramarital relationship that forced him to confront difficult truths about priorities, decision-making, and the personal cost of a career consumed by the job.

Rich AuBuchon is owner of the AuBuchon Law Firm, LLC in Jefferson City, Missouri.

AuBuchon is a 1998 graduate of Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri and graduated with honors from the University of Tulsa College of Law in 2001.

Rich has litigated cases throughout the western United States including multi-district litigation. He has been a member of the Eighth, Ninth and Tenth Circuit Courts of Appeals, numerous federal courts and practiced law in Wyoming and Missouri.

Rich has had several roles in Missouri government including managing the Office of Administration as Acting Commissioner/Chief Counsel for Gov. Blunt and as Chief of Staff/ Counsel to Lt. Gov. Kinder. Rich then worked as Counsel for the MO Chamber of Commerce. Prior to starting his own firm, Rich was Of Counsel with the Polsinelli law firm.

Rich is currently on retainer as the MSA Business Counsel.

R. Scott Harness is an attorney with Harness Law Office who has extensive experience working with law enforcement agencies, including serving under contract as legal counsel for the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. He earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Missouri School of Law in 1991 and holds a Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Science from Hastings College. Harness provides practical legal guidance on issues impacting sheriffs and their offices, bringing a strong understanding of both the legal system and the day-to-day realities of law enforcement operations.

Danny Ware serves as a Regional Investigations Manager with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, where he supervises investigations and oversees regulatory enforcement efforts. He brings over 13 years of law enforcement experience from the New Madrid County Sheriff’s Office, where he served as a Criminal Investigator. Ware’s background provides a strong foundation in investigations, case management, and interagency collaboration, offering valuable insight into both public health enforcement and traditional law enforcement operations.

Steve retired in June of 2007 as a major with the Springfield, Missouri Police Department after 29 years of service. He has provided less lethal force, tactical/patrol command, and counter terrorism training on behalf of the IACP and the U.S. Department of State across North America and in 33 other countries including such places as Tanzania, Bosnia, Somalia, Haiti, El Salvador, Yemen, Pakistan, Indonesia, and East Timor. Steve has a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, a master’s degree in Public Administration, and is a graduate of the 186th FBI National Academy.

George Cheng is a 19-year-old entrepreneur, researcher, and Co-Founder of Code Four, an AI company focused on transforming bodycam footage into written reports. His work is aimed at reducing administrative burdens for law enforcement, enabling officers to dedicate more time to field operations. In addition to his role at Code Four, George has conducted research with the United States Department of Defense and the MIT Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL). He is a former MIT student who left the institute to pursue his entrepreneurial and research ambitions full-time.