Special Agent Martin Lopez is a protective

instructor with more than 31 years of military

and law enforcement experience. He specializes

in firearms instruction, advanced situational

awareness, defensive tactics, tactical medicine,

vehicle close-quarters combat, and building/room-clearing techniques.

Martin currently teaches a wide range of protective services disciplines and draws on four years of dedicated federal protective services experience and a distinguished 31-year U.S. Army career. 

In addition to his military service, Martin is a retired Captain with the Hopkinsville Police Department, where he served in roles including patrol officer, School Resource Officer, gang officer, detective, narcotics supervisor, patrol supervisor, detective sergeant, and special operations captain. 

Martin holds instructor certifications from FLETC in firearms and tactical medicine, as well as Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice Training certifications in firearms and defensive tactics.

He is also certified to instruct de-escalation, pistol-mounted optics, OC, and baton. His advanced training includes the U.S. Army Protective Services Course, the T1G NCIC Protection Course, ORBIS’ Advanced Situational Awareness Course, and the Screening of Persons by Observational Means Course.

After retiring from the military in August, John Witherspoon could have stepped back and enjoyed a quieter pace of life. Instead, he leaned even further into service—this time as a volunteer. As president of the board for Beacon Rescue, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Clarksville, Tennessee, John brings his deep background in crisis response to bear in a new way: through community-driven disaster relief.

John currently serves on the Church Safety Team at First Baptist Church St. Bethlehem as well as teaches at Clarksville Christian Academy.