James Lilley

James Lilley is a former Marine and highly decorated 25-year veteran of the Howard County, Maryland Police Department.

His awards include the Medal of Valor, four Bronze Stars, four Unit Citations, and the Governor's Citation. Jim was selected as the Police-Writers.com 2008 Author of Year, was awarded First Runner Up in 2009 Police-Writers.com Short Story Contest and received an Honorable Mention for his book "The Eyes of the Hunter" in the New England Book Festival.

"The Eyes of the Hunter" has been adopted by Johns Hopkins University as required reading in the Master of Science in Intelligence Analysis program. James is also a lecturer at Johns Hopkins University, lecturing in the Intelligence Analysis and Police Executive Leadership Programs.

Jim is also a Black Belt in Shorin Ryu (Kobayashi Ryu) Karate and was the first American to be promoted to the Black Belt rank by Sensei Takeshi Miyagi. In August 2011, Sensei Miyagi promoted him to his current rank of 9th Degree Black Belt.

But, when he first approached Mr. Miyagi and asked to join his class he was told, "You will never be promoted to any rank in my dojo (school). You will always be a white belt (beginner's belt) and like all other Americans who have come to my class, you will quit. I am too tough--too disciplined for Americans. But, if you want to learn and learn the right way, come back and I will teach you." The following night, when he arrived to begin training, he also learned that he was not welcomed by the other students. Awkward first steps marked the beginning of a journey that has now spanned almost 50 years and the earning of the respect of the Okinawan students. He has completed a book detailing that journey and it has now been published in Kindle and Paperback formats. * Mr. Miyagi underwent knee replacement surgery in 2012 and has also recovered from other health issues. In November 2012 Takeshi Miyagi was named President of the Okinawa Shorin Ryu Karate Do Association. Yet, when he informed me of his reaching the highest office in the association, he did so in a matter of fact way, showing again that he is still the humble man I've always known.

Jim will confess that he possesses a devilish sense of humor, which has brought him to the carpet to answer for his pranks since he was a child. He recalls his first steps into the world of mischief making were taken during Mass at St. Paul's Church in Ellicott City, Md. His launching of a paper airplane during the Homily disrupted the Mass and he was rewarded with a backside warming on the steps of the church. Still, that "reward" has never deterred the prankster in him.

** "Mr. Miyagi and Me" received an Honorable Mention in the Biography/Autobiography Category from The New England and London Book Festivals. "Fatal Destiny - The Carjacking Murder of Dr. Pam Basu" received an Honorable Mention in the General Non-fiction Category from the New England Book Festival.