George N. Saxton, Jr., Ph.D.

Since his graduation from Lincoln High School in 1971 George Saxton Jr. has been involved in diverse areas of professional endeavors. These include law enforcement, criminology, chemistry, agriculture, pest control, environmental issues, and teaching.

It all started several months after high school when he began a three-year enlistment in the U.S. Army at Fort Knox where he was assigned to a military police unit. Continuing this direction after service, Saxton earned an associate degree in law enforcement from Vincennes University. After relocating to Lafayette, Indiana, he became an officer and later a detective on the city police department, all the while continuing his education at Purdue University.

In 1982 Purdue awarded him a Bachelor's degree in criminology, and this was followed in 1987 when he earned a Master's degree from Purdue with a major in public policy and administration and minors in criminology and American government.

Subsequently other areas of interest and study involved in agriculture, pesticide application, and the environment. In 1990 he joined the Office of Indiana State Chemist as a pesticide investigator. Some years later this state office appointed him compliance officer and homeland security officer, roles that he continues to the present.

In 2004 Purdue awarded Saxton a Doctor of Philosophy degree. Areas of study included agricultural and biological engineering and agricultural systems management. His research in environmental forensics addressed soil pesticide residue degradation and soil sample management procedures.

Early in his educational years Saxton had been an adjunct instructor and academic advisor in law enforcement. He continues as a course instructor for a council specializing in advanced law enforcement techniques. He also continues as an instructor in the use of insecticides.

He has written several publications on criminology, soil sampling, insecticides, environmental issues, and agricultural aviation. He is a licensed pilot and a certified aerial applicator. Aside from professional writing, Saxton has published two novels: a religious story "A Family Divided" in 1998 and "The Snows of Colorado" in 2007, called a tale of adventure/romance.

Saxton describes himself as an avid bass fisherman, holds a 5th degree black belt in Aiki-Jitsu, and is a licensed football official for the Indiana High School Athletic Association. He is married and has five children.