Meet The Author

Steve Ditmars

Born in Long Beach, California, is a proud graduate of the University of Southern California. He served as an officer in the United States Marine Corps and is a twenty-eight-year veteran of the Long Beach Police Department.  He was a police service dog handler for six years and supervisor of the K9 Unit for three years. Steve retired from the LBPD as Commander of the Special Operations Division, which included Homeland Security, Counter Terrorism, Communications, and the security details for the Long Beach Airport, the Port of Long Beach, and Long Beach Transit.

He currently lives in Prescott, Arizona, with his wife, Barbi, and their two German Shepherd rescues, Gunnar and Missy. Steve enjoys hiking the many trails of the area and finds some of his inspiration in the beauty and history of the area. Big Dogs! The Adventure Begins is his first book. When not writing, he enjoys woodworking, computers and spending time with his adult children, Eric and Cynthia, and granddaughter, Charlotte.

Steve has enjoyed competitive marksmanship since he was in high school. He appreciates the challenge of shooting, bringing man and machine together in harmony to achieve that perfect shot.