Other LanguagesMMIWP Chief Investigator/Analyst Supervisor Brian George
As the Chief Investigator/Analyst Supervisor of the MMIWP Team, Brian is a 27-year law enforcement veteran, an enrolled member of the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe, and a descendant of the Suquamish Tribe. Beginning his career with the Suquamish Tribal Police Department, Brian has over 25 years of service with the Washington State Patrol, most recently as the Director of the Washington State Fusion Center, which supports federal, state, and tribal agencies, regional and local law enforcement, public safety, and homeland security by providing intelligence and information statewide. Brian’s extensive experience and strong working relationships with tribal, state, and federal agencies serves this important work to support law enforcement in bringing closure to families who have been waiting too long.
MMIWP Victim/Witness Advocate and Case Coordinator Melissa Skeet
Melissa has worked as an advocate for victims of crime for over 13 years, beginning in Arizona and, most recently, for the National Park Service, based in Yellowstone National Park. Melissa has filled a variety of roles in addition to direct victim advocacy throughout the criminal justice process. These roles include supervising and training victim advocate volunteers and providing information and resources to different Tribes of the Navajo, Apache, Hopi, and Crow—and not only for victims, but also for non-Tribal and Tribal Police, the FBI, the BIA, and Homeland Security. Melissa is also a former roller derby athlete who began trail skating when she stopped competing. On a mission to bring awareness to the plight of Indigenous families, she has skated hundreds of miles in honor of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women. Melissa, who is Diné, has already accomplished impressive feats in service to Missing and Murdered Indigenous People and continues to generate awareness and education about missing and murdered Indigenous persons, health, and healing. Learn more about Melissa here: https://www.nativehope.org/melissa-skeet-dine
MMIWP Senior Investigator/Analyst Jim Lawrence
Jim is a 28-year law enforcement officer with 13 years of experience leading and conducting homicide and cold case investigations. Prior to joining our team, Jim was with the Clark County Sheriff’s Office after having retired from the Portland Police Bureau where he was a former Acting Supervisor of a Cold Case Homicide Unit at, supervising a team of detectives and volunteers while also managing a large caseload. In addition, he co-developed the protocols and methodologies for the unit. Further, he served as a Sworn Special Deputy U.S. Marshal and Federal Task Force Officer with the ATF and FBI. He believes the Indigenous population has been overlooked and underserved, and wants to be part of bringing answers and closure to victims of violent crime and their families. He has investigated and resolved more than 50 homicides and cold cases (one dating back to the 1960s), including gang and serial murders.
MMIWP Senior Investigator/Analyst Steve Brenneman
Steve brings over 24 years of experience from the Everett Police Department with the last 13 years as a Major Crimes/Cold Case Detective. He also earned a double major B.A. in Sociology and Society and Justice from the University of Washington. As a detective, he was tasked with investigating complex criminal cases related to persons crimes including homicide, robbery, rape, kidnapping, and officer involved incidents. While in the Major Crimes unit, his team solved over 70 homicides with a 98% closure rate. He implemented from scratch their cold case investigative procedure and applied it to investigating and solving five cold case homicides in three years. Additionally, his mother was a tribal member of the Blackfeet Nation her entire life and he knows from personal experience that Indigenous people are severely under served by our criminal justice system. He considers it an honor to be able to assist local agencies in bringing closure to these cases for the victims and their families.
MMIWP Senior Investigator/Analyst Carlos Trevino
Carlos is a 30-year veteran of law enforcement who recently retired from the Benton County Sheriff’s Office. He has coordinated with statewide law enforcement agencies, the media, evidence labs, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, HITS, and other agencies while working cold cases and missing person cases. He has coordinated and oversaw complex investigations in major crimes, homicide, and federal level investigations. Carlos’ has a vision and passion to solve cold case crimes and missing persons cases and to hold those responsible accountable and to bring a level of closure to families who have endured endless frustrations and suffering for many years.
MMIWP Senior Investigator/Analyst John Halsted
John brings over 28 years of law enforcement experience with the last 25 years at the Poulsbo Police Department. He brings a unique background of working in a geographical area situated between the Suquamish and Port Gamble S'Klallam tribes. His background includes a broad range of assignments, including over 15 years of working in a variety of investigative roles. His career and reputation as an investigator has led him to be a highly sought-after member of numerous state, local, and federal-level task forces investigating drug crimes, homicide, burglary, robbery, and officer-involved shootings. He is eager to uncover the truth and ensure justice for missing and murdered Indigenous people by collaborating with law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders in a multijurisdictional task force setting. Coming to us highly recommended by the Port Gamble S’Klallam Police Chief, John has built relationships meaningful with tribal law enforcement and tribal communities over the years which has deepened his passion to serve and bring justice or closure to the families of missing and murdered Indigenous persons in Washington State.