PALADIN TACTICAL U.S.
CCW, SECURITY, & LAW ENFORCEMENT TRAINING
Overcome Evil with Good - Romans 12:21
Meet Our Instructors
- Law Enforcement, Special Operations, Competitive Shooting
Paladin instructors have done it for real. Our team brings over 150 years of combined experience in law enforcement, military special operations, and competitive shooting. This is who you're training with.
Dan Butler, Ph.D.
CEO/Lead Instructor
Paladin Tactical U.S.
Dan Butler is a retired 24-year FBI Special Agent, SWAT Senior Team Leader, and Ph.D. biochemist who founded Paladin Tactical in 2019 to provide firearms training to law enforcement, security, and responsible citizens. Over the last 25 years, he has provided tactical/firearms instruction to local, federal, and international law enforcement officers. He is certified as a firearms instructor by multiple agencies including the FBI, California POST, BSIS, the NRA, and the California Department of Justice. Dan has a Ph.D in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the University of California and is a nationally-registered Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). For more details, see his LinkedIn Profile.
Dan Butler
FBI SWAT Team Leader & Firearms Instructor (retired)
Barry Grove
Better Method Handgun Instruction
Barry retired after serving 30 years as a prosecutor for the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office. During his career, he has reviewed hundreds of self-defense and officer-involved shooting cases. He trained dozens of California law enforcement agencies on use-of-force law and was recognized as a court-certified expert upon retirement.
To better understand the limits of human performance with a handgun, he completed firearms training with several local police departments and the FBI. Barry also sought instruction from top competitive shooters and Grandmasters such as Bruce Gray, Ron Avery, Mike Seeklander, Frank Proctor and Mike Pannone. He continues to shoot competitively and seek out advanced training opportunities.
He holds numerous NRA instructor certifications and is a certified CA DOJ CCW Instructor. He owns "The Better Method Handgun Instruction, LLC." Barry is also a member of the attorney network at the USCCA.
Barry Grove
Deputy District Attorney & Use-of-Force Expert (retired)
Rick Winters
Tier 1 Concepts
Rick Winters is a decorated 14-year Navy SEAL veteran with 30 years of combined experience across hostage rescue, counter-terrorism, and SWAT operations. Rick made numerous deployments overseas working alongside other Tier-1 assets as well as training foreign special operations forces around the world. As a police officer, Rick was the senior breacher and primary tactical training instructor for the West Sacramento/Davis SWAT team. He has provided tactical instruction to dozens of law enforcement agencies throughout California and is a recognized expert in tactical breaching. Rick has also worked professionally in the private sector as a Security Supervisor with Apex Security Group. In 2017, Rick formed Tier-1 Concepts to provide elite tactical training and consulting to law enforcement and private sector professionals.
Rick Winters
Naval Special Operations Veteran & Police Officer (retired)
Brian Jones
Pinnacle Tactical Solutions
Brian retired from the FBI in 2015 after 28 years as a Special Agent. Brian was a member of the FBI SWAT Team for 26 years and assigned as the FBI SWAT Senior Team Leader during his last 15 years. Brian has been a Firearms Instructor for 30 years and was also assigned as the FBI Principal Firearms Instructor. He was responsible for the firearms and tactical training and proficiency of 150 FBI Special Agents. During his tenure in the FBI, Brian planned and was responsible for hundreds of high risk tactical operations and deployed operationally in numerous high-risk foreign environments. Upon his retirement in from the FBI, Brian founded Pinnacle Tactical Solutions LLC. Pinnacle provides world-class training to law enforcement agencies nation-wide at the lowest possible cost and has provided tactical training to hundreds of law enforcement officers.
Brian Jones
FBI SWAT Team Leader & Firearms Instructor (retired)
Louie Tirona
Practical Shooting Academy 2
Louie Tirona spent nearly 30 years with the Richmond Police Department — rising to Primary Firearms and Tactics Instructor, High Risk Entry Team Leader, and ultimately a Master-ranked IDPA and USPSA competitive shooter. Louie is a POST-approved firearms instructor and has been qualified as an expert witness in California Superior Court and Federal Court. He left a lasting legacy at his department for instilling a culture of excellence.
Louie has trained with some of the top trainers in the firearms community to include: Ron Avery (Practical Shooting Academy and Tactical Performance Center), JJ Racaza, Rob Leatham, Mike Seeklander, Frank Proctor, Robert Vogel, Mike Pannone (CTT Solutions) and others. Louie was an assistant instructor for Ron Avery at the Practical Shooting Academy and is now a lead instructor for the Tactical Performance Center.
Louie Tirona
Competitive Shooter & Police Officer (retired)
Theo Trinh
Tactical Wizard, LLC
Theo Trinh is a CA DOJ-certified CCW Instructor and holds numerous NRA instructor certifications. He is known for his direct, purpose-driven approach to firearms training. He is the founder of Tactical Wizard, a training company built around the motto “be a wizard with a gun” — a philosophy of being highly efficient with any firearm.
With experience in both practical shooting and tactical defense training, he incorporates the speed, precision, and discipline honed from practical shooting with self-defense tactics used in law enforcement and personal defense. This combined expertise ensures students learn what actually works in defensive situations. Whether training an experienced or first-time shooter, he tailors his coaching to fit the individual. This adaptive approach ensures that every student gains practical, relevant skills and the confidence to be “wizard-like” with their firearm in any situation.
Theo Trinh
Ballistic Wizard