Your Trusted Investigator
Chris Cowan is a licensed, bonded, and fully insured private investigator with a foundation built on decades of high-level service in the military and law enforcement. A decorated U.S. Army veteran, Chris served two combat deployments in Afghanistan—including a nine-month tour and a sixteen-month tour with the renowned "Outlaw Platoon." Following his military service, he retired as a detective from the Syracuse Police Department, where he had served in elite units, including SPD SWAT. His vast and unique experience is leveraged to provide professional, confidential, and reliable investigative solutions to fit our clients’ needs.
A Decorated Military Foundation
Born and raised in Idaho, Chris was compelled to serve following the events of 9/11. He served honorably in the United States Army from 2002–2007 with the famed 10th Mountain Division, deploying to Afghanistan on two separate occasions. His service included a nine-month tour and a challenging sixteen-month tour as an infantryman squad leader in the highly decorated "Outlaw Platoon." Their heroism is memorialized in the New York Times Best-Selling novel of the same name. His commitment earned him numerous commendations, including the Combat Infantryman's Badge, the Expert Infantryman's Badge, the 2005 10th Mountain Division - 2/87 Infantry Battalion Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year, and the successful completion of the Reconnaissance and Surveillance Leadership Course (RLSC).
Decades of High-Level Police & Detective Work
Following his military service, Chris joined the Syracuse Police Department in 2008, where he served for 17 years. His experience spanned many critical roles, including:
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Criminal Investigations Detective and Special Investigations Narcotics Detective.
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SWAT Team Operator (Breacher and Explosive Breacher).
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Field Training Officer and Background Investigator.​
Specialized Expertise and Compassion
Chris's skillset includes a wide array of expertise:
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Advanced Surveillance: He has years of law enforcement training and experience working on several state and federal wire investigations in undercover, surveillance, and technological capacities.
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Instruction and Communication: He provided instruction for the SPD Command Staff, academy, and cadet programs on various topics, establishing him as an excellent communicator and teacher.
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Security Solutions: Chris brings a wealth of security-based knowledge from his combat experience in Afghanistan and his police career, including working security details for dignitaries and training other departments in active shooter and Rescue Task Force protocols.
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Peer Support and Intervention: He coordinated the SPD peer support team and mentorship program. Chris has genuine empathy for those struggling with addiction and has helped hundreds of community members and fellow officers coordinate necessary steps toward recovery.
Education and Personal Commitment
While serving as an SPD officer, Chris obtained his Bachelor of Science in Religion from Liberty University, graduating Magna Cum Laude.
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Chris is an exceptional professional who is deeply committed to his community. He lives in Liverpool, New York, with his wife and four sons, and their cat, Ellie. His goal is simple: to leverage his vast experience to provide confidential and reliable solutions.
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Chris is grateful for the invaluable mentorship and guidance of Frank Sardino, former Syracuse Police Chief and successful private investigator. Read a Note of Thanks Here