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As we approach Christmas, it gives us all a time to sit and enjoy time with family and friends, as we reflect on the past year and what we are hopeful for in the coming year. 

Today's episode is a POWERFUL case brought to you by a friend who had the courage to share an immense tragedy that took place in his own life and highlight something we all hope and pray doesn't happen again to anyone, anywhere. 

DEREK VAN LUCHENE, RYAN UNITED

Derek VanLuchene brings a unique perspective to the issues of child protection. In 1987, when Derek was 17 years old, his 8 year old brother Ryan was abducted and murdered by a repeat sex offender. Ryan was taken right from the family’s backyard in a rural Montana community. Since that time, Derek has devoted himself to issues sex offender management as well as child abduction response.

Derek spent 18 years as a Montana Law Enforcement Officer working for both the Conrad Police Department and The Montana Division of Criminal Investigation. Currently, Derek serves as President and Founder Fox Valley Technical College: AMBER Alert National Training & Technical Assistance Program Fox Valley Technical College (FVTC) National Criminal Justice Training Center (NCJTC) offers programs and services to criminal justice and child protection professionals from across the country, l providing vital training and technical assistance. The NCJTC supports all FVTC programs by of Ryan United, a non-profit organization dedicated to his brother. Through Ryan United, Derek provides resources to crime victims, Law Enforcement, Corrections officials specific to sex offender management, child abduction and community safety.

Derek works as a consultant for Fox Valley Technical College and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. In Addition, Derek serves as a Senior Fellow with the US Department of Justice’s, Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Managing, Apprehending, Registering and Tracking (SMART). VanLuchene has been instrumental in developing curriculum for Law Enforcement, Prosecutors, and Corrections officials relating to sex offender management and child abduction response. Derek has also been active in developing and delivering curriculum specific to sex offender management and the investigation and prosecution of child sexual abuse in Indian country.

Through his personal and professional experiences, VanLuchene speaks to criminal justice professionals and community organizations across the nation about how important their role is when it comes to protecting children. Derek and his family have been instrumental on a state and national basis promoting sensible management of sex offenders. Derek is regarded nationally as an expert on all issues surrounding sex offender management and child abduction.

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