Dave and K-9 Jax

My name is Dave Mathes, and I am 58-year-old male that lives in Ham Lake, Minnesota with my wife, Nicole and our three children. We have a 24-year-old son, Justin, a 20-year-old son, Joey, and a 17-year-old daughter, Alyssa. We also have three pet dogs. We have a 13-year-old Rat Terrier named Daisy, a one-and-a-half-year-old Chihuahua mix, named Winnie, and a 2-year- old Pit Bull Terrier/Mountain Cur/Boston Terrier mix named Ruby.
Education
I graduated from Harding High School in St. Paul, MN in 1983. I then attended the University of Minnesota, a mix of full & part time while working. I earned my (A.L.A.) Associate in Liberal Arts degree in May 1986. I later enrolled and took courses at Metro State University in St. Paul, MN,
and Century College in White Bear Lake, MN. I furthered my coursework towards my Bachelor’s Degree, as well as my Law Enforcement coursework. In 2014 I took coursework and earned my Minnesota and Wisconsin real estate licenses. I became a REALTOR then in 2014. In 2017 I earned my MN Broker’s license. In 2023 I am currently working on my Wisconsin Broker’s license.
Military
I joined the Minnesota Air National Guard in 1986 and attended Boot Camp at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas. I completed Basic Training and the Security Police Technical School and returned home to Minnesota and began serving in the Air National Guard as a reservist. I was a member of the Minnesota Air National Guard for approximately 12 years and served during several active-duty activations in support of Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm and Operation Southern Watch. I was released from all my active-duty deployments under honorable conditions. While in the Air National Guard, II attended various training schools, including Air Based Ground Defense (ABGD) in Little Rock, Arkansas. I also attended M-60 Machine gunner school at Nellis Air Force Base in North Las Vegas. I also attended recurring M-60 training at Lackland AFB and Camp Bullis, both in San Antonio, TX. I attained the rank of E-6/Technical Sergeant in the Air National Guard.
Careers
I worked at Byerly Foods from 1980-1987. I began working as a carryout and eventually a cashier/stock clerk. I later began training as an assistant manager, before accepting a job at 3M Company. I worked for 3M Company in Maplewood, Minnesota from 1987 to 1997. Most of my
career at 3M I worked in Uniformed Security.
In 1997 I was hired by the Minneapolis Police Department as a Police Officer. I spent my first 10 years on the job at the rank of Patrol Officer. I worked in various positions including a foot beat, bicycle patrol, 911 response, directed patrol, and in plain clothes in the First Precinct Community Response Team (CRT). In 2007 I was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. I worked in investigations for several years and then returned to the street as a Sergeant/Patrol Supervisor in the First Precinct. I also worked for 3-1/2 years in the Minneapolis Police Strategic Information Center (SIC), where I conducted investigations and processed intelligence
information. After working in the SIC, I transferred back to the street and worked as a Sergeant/Patrol Supervisor in the First Precinct.
On May 25th, 2020, I worked the riots and chaos that ensued after the death of George Floyd. It was an extremely challenging time for all of those involved. During the summer of 2020, the riots and civil unrest continued and work for all of us was stressful. Due to the stressful nature of this incident, I received counseling and therapy afterwards to be able to help with the stress I was experiencing. I ended up retiring from the Minneapolis Police Department with PTSD on September 30th, 2020.
I became a REALTOR in 2014 and worked for Timber Ghost Realty. I sold everything from residential homes, cabins, lakeshore, vacant land & lots, as well as hunting properties. In 2023 I moved my Real Estate license to Realty Group, LLC. I co-lead a team with a good friend of mine, who was also a police sergeant at MPD with me. He also retired when I did. We have a
real estate team called the Signature Blue Team with Realty Group. I have been a REALTOR now for about 9-1/2 years and really enjoy the work.
In 2022 I started a security business with a retired police friend of mine, called Z Protective Solutions, LLC. We do small scale security work/investigations. We stay away from the high stress/high risk stuff. We can choose the kind of things we take on. We currently have a security account at a north metro golf club. We work at the golf course and provide security when they have events (golf tournaments, weddings, special events). It is low stress and they let us golf for free, which is nice.
Currently
I still live in Ham Lake with my family. We stay busy with our grown children. Our oldest son Justin (24) graduated from The University of Saint Thomas with a B.S. degree in Business and Real Estate. He also earned his real estate license and works with me on my team on a part time basis. Justin also became a Minnesota State Trooper about 1 year ago. Our second oldest son Joseph (20) (Joey) is attending Bemidji State University for Graphic Design. He is a junior at BSU. Our youngest daughter Alyssa (17) is a junior at Blaine High School. She excels in academics and lacrosse. Alyssa plays lacrosse for Blaine H.S. as well as club teams like the Minnesota Yeti. She is looking at colleges now to play lacrosse.
I continue to work in Real Estate as a REALTOR. I enjoy doing real estate. There is a nice variety. Since retiring from Minneapolis Police Department (MPD), I am happy to leave law enforcement in the rear-view mirror. I miss my friends and partners, but most of them have also left police work like me. It has been 3 years since I retired from the Minneapolis Police Department, I continue to suffer the effects of PTSD and anxiety.