Following A Path I Couldn't See

Following a Path I Couldn’t See is a raw, honest memoir of resilience, leadership, and purpose from Leon P. Jones who rose from a small Texas town to become the first African American Chief of Police at Oklahoma State University.

This true story traces a life shaped by hardship, near-death experiences, systemic barriers, and unspoken trauma. From exhausting years of manual labor and corporate ceilings at Walmart, to surviving a medical collapse, to responding to one of the most devastating tragedies in Oklahoma State history, Jones reveals what it truly costs to serve and what it takes to heal.

This is not a story of perfection or heroism. It is a story of course correction. Of learning to lead while carrying invisible weight. Of faith without clarity, strength without certainty, and growth forged through failure. Jones speaks candidly about trauma, marriage, alcohol, leadership burnout, and the moment he realized survival was no longer enough.

Now retired after 30 years in law enforcement and serving as a criminal justice educator, Jones offers wisdom for anyone standing at a crossroads.