Mattingly, John
Sergeant John Mattingly is a distinguished 21-year veteran of the Louisville Metro Police Department in Kentucky, where he dedicated the majority of his career to narcotics and violent crime units with the mission of improving the quality of life for the citizens of his city. On March 13, 2020, Sgt. Mattingly was thrust into the national spotlight after being injured during the execution of a search warrant at the residence of Breonna Taylor. The incident, followed closely by the death of George Floyd, sparked widespread protests and intense global scrutiny. A perceived lack of transparency from both the police department and city leadership allowed speculation and misinformation to spread rapidly through mainstream media, social media, and commentary from celebrities and athletes. In response, Sgt. Mattingly offers a factual account of the events in his nationally bestselling book, 12 Seconds in the Dark. Turning personal tragedy into purpose, he now travels the country, educating and inspiring diverse audiences on leadership, resilience, and personal growth. Sgt. Mattingly has been married to his wife Nicki for 18 years and is a devoted family man with four children and two grandchildren.