About Commissioner Kowal

Daniel Kowal is a US Army veteran and retired Law Enforcement officer.

Daniel attended Ambridge Area High School in western Pennsylvania. Upon graduation in 1984, he entered a six-year commitment to the US Army as a Combat Medic with the 5th Infantry Division’s 705th combat search and rescue platoon.

After being honorably discharged from the US Army in December of 1989, he started his career in civilian Law Enforcement. Daniel studied Criminal Justice at the Community College of Beaver County. He graduated with honors from the Federal Law Enforcement Academy in Glynco, Georgia. Daniel then served as a Special Agent in Washington D.C., with the US Capitol Police’s Dignitary Protection unit. After the horrific attack from terrorists on September 11th, 2001, his unit’s responsibilities increased tenfold. Over the next two years, with the country on its highest alert, Daniel traveled with elected officials to ensure safe passage to their destinations. He also focused on advanced security work by doing threat assessments and investigations.

In March of 2003, Daniel relocated to Naples, Florida where he was hired by the Collier County Sheriff’s Office. Daniel held several positions within the Sheriff’s Office, but the majority of his career was spent with the Special Enforcement Team and Aggressive Criminal Tactics Team assigned to Vice Narcotics. While assigned to this unit, they conducted several long-term undercover operations. Such operations resulted in countless arrests and lead to the removal of large quantities of cocaine, heroin, and meth from the streets of Naples, Florida. The unit was also responsible for shutting down a human trafficking operation. While Daniel was working for the Sheriff's office, he continued his education in public administration at Barry University.

During his time in the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, Daniel repeatedly demonstrated his bravery. He received a lifesaving award for saving an FPL worker who was electrocuted while working on a powerline. The worker did not have a pulse when Daniel arrived to the scene, but he utilized the AED and conducted CPR until the EMS arrived. In addition, Daniel successfully resuscitated two people, for which he was presented two Phoenix Awards. 

Daniel is a wonderful husband to his wife, Lauren Maxwell, and he is a loving father, grandfather, and son. Daniel and Lauren met in 2012, and together, they have six children, their youngest is 13 and their oldest is 30. Their oldest recently blessed them with a grandson. Daniel and Lauren emphasize family time and enjoy spending their weekends outdoors with their children and grandson. Daniel looks forward to his yearly trip to their Georgia lake house where he invites his friends and family and gets to relax on the lake and hike the trails.

Daniel and Lauren have always given back through their philanthropic charitable fund by supporting organizations like Make-A-Wish, Pace Center for Girls, The Shelter for Abused Women and Children, The Immokalee Foundation, and St. Jude’s, to name a few. They are also active in organizations that give back to those who have served our country, such as Naples Take a Soldier Fishing and Hometown Heroes.