Steven Reyes served as a Police Officer, achieving the rank of Major and serving as the Long Island-Metropolitan District Commanding Officer for the New York State Park Police. He also served in the United States Marine Corps Reserve, assigned to H&S Company, Weapons Company; 2nd Battalion, 25th Marines, Garden City, NY.
He retired in 2016 after nearly 32 years of combined service. He began his martial arts training in the Dai Nan Wan Ryu Ju-Jitsu system under O'Sensei Richard Lazarus, and then Sensei James Rivera, in 1973.
Return to Owaza
In May 2022, after successfully battling several 9/11 World Trade Center health-related issues, Steven decided to fulfill a promise he had made to O'Sensei Lazarus to continue his training. While searching online for Ju-Jitsu dojos, he found Owaza Martial Arts and discovered that the headmaster was James Rivera, Hanshi—the very same James Rivera who was his Sensei in the Dai Nan Wan Ryu dojo decades earlier. In 2025, Steven was awarded his Sandan (3rd Dan) Black Belt and the title of Sensei.
Professional Certifications
Law Enforcement Training
- • Basic Academy for Police Officers - Nassau County, NY 1990
- • Basic Course for Supervisors - Nassau, NY 1996
- • General Topics Instructor Development Certification - Rockland County, NY 1997
- • NYS Mental Health Instructor for Police - Saratoga, NY 2004
- • FBI National Academy Session 232 - Quantico, VA 2008
Martial Arts Rank
- • Sandan (3rd Dan) - Owaza Ryu Ju-Jitsu
- • Title: Sensei
- • Training since 1973 under O'Sensei Lazarus and Sensei Rivera
9/11 First Responder Recognition
Steven is most proud of the following citations received in connection with his selfless service at Ground Zero of the 9/11 World Trade Center disaster site:
"Quitters never win and winners never quit!"