David P. Hope

David Philip Hope was born on March 29, 1947 in Easton. MD and grew up in Hopewell, VA. He served as a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam war era. He returned to East Carolina University and graduated with a B.S.P. in Criminal Justice. He served as a police officer with the Chesterfield County, VA police Department from 1976 until his retirement in 2002. He rose to the rank of police major and ultimately commanded the Uniform Operations Bureau with a contingent of 250 officers, supervisors, and managers.

Hope's love of the water and boats started early in his life and took off in the 1980s when he began sailing beach catamarans and windsurfers. He bought his first cruising sailboat in 1992.

His book, Summer Heat, tells the true story of the development of his police career and that of his chosen sport, sailing. It culminates in the life threatening loss of his second sailboat Summer Heat, the rescue of the crew, and the aftermath.

Hope has often said that he is absolutely happiest when he is on his boat.