About The Author
Orion Mata: Service, Sacrifice, and the Path to Restoration
Orion Mata is an author, craftsman, and dedicated public servant, but his most cherished roles are those of husband, father of four, and "Pops" to three grandchildren. A Michigan native whose life is a testament to the power of tradition and service, Orion’s journey began at seventeen when he joined the U.S. Army. He served eight and a half years as a Military Policeman before embarking on a law enforcement career spanning over three decades.
For 27 years, Orion operated at the sharp end of the spear as an SRT member and police sniper, both in and out of the military. His tenure included over a decade on a federal task force, where he specialized in dismantling complex conspiracies. The weight of that work is measurable: during his federal service alone, he logged over 1,000 years of prison time against those he investigated, and more impressively not one of his cases ever going to trail. That is the type of person he is, do it right or don’t do it all.
However, a career defined by "horrific scenes" and the isolation of high-stakes undercover work took a heavy toll. Orion has been candid about the "stigma" of mental health in the first responder community, acknowledging how years of trauma and job-related injury began to impact his spirit and his family.
Turning that same tactical discipline inward, Orion embarked on a mission of self-reflection and healing. He sought therapy and utilized ETMS (Electro Trans-cranial Magnetic Stimulation), which was a game-changer for his mental health that is free to veterans and first responders. Complementing this mental shift was a physical one; Orion dedicated himself to the gym, losing over 70 pounds and reaching the best physical shape of his life. For Orion, being physically, mentally, and emotionally fit isn't just a personal goal—it’s what makes him a better husband to Heather and a more present grandfather.
His creative spirit, rooted in the quiet Michigan forests of his childhood, now finds expression through Bad Karma Publications. His writing bridges the gap between worlds: from the gritty, front-line realities of the thriller Murderous Daydreams to the whimsical, gentle adventures of a forest gnome in Our Friend Abe.
Though an accomplished custom woodworker, Orion has temporarily shelved his that endeavor to ensure he is fully available for his family’s milestones. When he isn’t writing, he leads the Shepherds Public Safety Motorcycle Club, serves as an ambassador for DeemedFit apparel, and raises funds for Friends in Service of Heroes (FISH). Today, Orion lives in a Kansas City suburb, proving that even after 30 years in the "darkness" of the justice system, one can find a path back to the light through service, storytelling, and an unwavering commitment to growth.
