David Lee Salmon I

David Lee Salmon, Ph.D., in his 84th year, passed away peacefully on the morning of June 13, 2026, at his home in Spring, Texas, where he had lived since 1973. He was born on June 22, 1941, in Lynchburg, Virginia, to Mack and Florence Salmon.

David proudly served his country as a Captain in the United States Army Military Intelligence. He completed combat tours in Vietnam, where he was decorated for predicting the Tet Offensive, a feat that earned him the Bronze Star, the Gallantry Cross with Palm, and the lasting respect of his fellow soldiers. His military service remained a cornerstone of his identity throughout his life.

After his honorable discharge, David built a remarkable 47-year career in law enforcement, security, and risk management. He served as a Deputy U.S. Marshal, Provost Marshal, Police Captain, Special Agent for the Virgin Islands Department of Law, and Special Advisor to the Puerto Rico Departamento de Justicia. He was trained by the FBI Behavioral Science Unit as a criminal profiler and became a certified law enforcement instructor, security instructor, personal protection instructor, and firearms instructor.

In the mid-1970s, David was approached by Fort Bend Independent School District to address growing drug concerns in Houston-area schools. He developed the first private drug and narcotics control program for primary and secondary schools in the United States, establishing protocols adopted by the DEA and implemented nationwide. The program combined education, prevention, and canine detection, a model that continues to influence school safety programs today.

In the early 1980s, David and his beloved wife Karen founded OSS - Law Enforcement Advisors®, a law enforcement risk management and training firm based in Spring, Texas. David served as Chief Administrator of OSS Academy, a Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Academy that provided training to peace officers, corrections officers, security professionals, and telecommunications personnel across Texas and nationwide. Under his leadership, the academy developed more than 1,200 hours of specialized training content and 145 courses.

Before OSS, David founded SAI (Security Associates International), providing security and investigative services to private corporations, foreign governments, and the United States government.

David was widely recognized as a court expert in civil rights litigation, criminal behavior, use of force, and security procedures. He authored and edited numerous publications, including model policies for law enforcement, jail operations, and school security used by agencies across the country. He served as a Subject Matter Expert for the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and the Mississippi Department of Public Safety, among many others.

David held a Ph.D. from Pacific Western University. He was a licensed peace officer in Texas, a certified protection officer, and held instructor certifications from the National Rifle Association, Texas DPS, and numerous state and federal agencies. He was also a private pilot, logging over 980 hours in the sky.

An Eagle Scout and former Scout Master, David believed in service, preparation, and leading by example. He was active in his community and dedicated his life to making law enforcement safer and more effective.

He is survived by his devoted wife of 53 years, Karen Salmon, of Spring, Texas; his three children: David Salmon II, Iris Foster, and Dax Salmon; grandchildren; great-grandchildren; and a host of colleagues, students, and friends whose lives he touched through his teaching, mentorship, and unwavering commitment to excellence.

David was preceded in death by his parents, Mack and Florence Salmon, and his siblings; he is survived by his brother, Bill Salmon.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Forest Park The Woodlands Funeral Home & Cemetery, Grand Hall, 18000 Interstate 45 South, The Woodlands, TX 77384, US, on June 24, 2026, from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm. A Catered Reception will immediately follow in the R.L. Wood event room from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm.