These days, Dan Perry supervises multiple areas within the Oakland County Jail as an Oakland County Sheriff's Office deputy.
Ten years ago, Perry graduated from Lapeer High School after playing football and wrestling for Lapeer.
He said his experiences in Lapeer growing up prepared him for the many facets of the "real world."
"Lapeer Community Schools prepared me for life by teaching me to be disciplined, how to work with others, and how to handle challenges," said Perry, who also attended Lynch and Maple Grove elementary schools. "I learned that success comes from showing up, working hard, and being dependable. The relationships with teachers, coaches, and classmates also helped me grow as a person and prepared me for situations outside of school."
After high school, Perry attended the University of Michigan on a wrestling scholarship.
"That opportunity came from the hard work and dedication I put into athletics throughout high school, along with the support of my coaches, teammates, and family," Perry said. "Competing at that level taught me discipline, accountability, and how to handle pressure while balancing academics and athletics."
After his time at Michigan, Perry transferred to Ferris State University on a football scholarship.
"I am very thankful for the opportunity to compete in a different collegiate sport that allowed me to continue competing at a high level while pursuing my education," said Perry. "At Ferris State, I completed my undergraduate degree in Criminal Justice that helped prepare me for my future career goals and strengthened my interest in serving and working with others."
Perry's current role with the OCSO includes booking and intake where inmates are processed into the facility, ensuring procedures are followed correctly, maintaining safety and security, and managing situations in a professional and controlled manner.
"I also work in classification, which involves determining inmate housing assignments and coordinating inmate movement throughout the jail," Perry said. "That responsibility requires strong communication, decision-making, and attention to detail to help maintain order and ensure the safety of both staff and inmates. Working in corrections has taught me the importance of leadership, teamwork, professionalism, and staying calm under pressure in challenging situations."
When asked to reflect on his time at LCS, Perry has a swarm of memories and highlights he'll always remember.
"When I think back on my time at Lapeer Community Schools, some of my strongest memories come from athletics and the relationships that were built along the way," said Perry. "I will always remember running out onto Fitzpatrick Field to ‘Thunderstruck’ on Friday nights and playing under the lights in front of the community. Those moments brought a level of excitement, pride, and energy that’s hard to describe.
"Beyond the games themselves, I’ll always remember the friendships, the locker room atmosphere, the practices, and the lessons that came from being part of a team. LCS gave me experiences that taught me discipline, hard work, and how to push through adversity. Looking back, it was more than just school or sports — it was a place that helped shape who I am today."