Gerard Kardonsky  - Attorney at Law

Making Arson Cases Stronger to Withstand Defense Attorneys 

Gerard Kardonsky is a litigation attorney in the field of criminal defense (including gun crimes, theft and drug charges, DWI, arson, family violence, and sexual offenses). Gerard has extensive courtroom and trial experience, and he takes his job very seriously. 

Gerard Kardonsky is known for his involvement in Second Amendment legal issues. He has worked on cases related to gun rights and the interpretation of the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution, which guarantees the right to keep and bear arms. His work often involves challenging or defending laws and regulations related to firearm ownership and usage, advocating for constitutional rights related to gun ownership, and engaging in legal strategies to address issues surrounding the Second Amendment. His involvement indicates a focus on the legal aspects of gun rights and the broader implications of Second Amendment jurisprudence. 

Gerard Kardonsky is an attorney who has been involved in legal matters related to arson. Specifically, he is known for his work in defending clients accused of arson, a serious crime involving the intentional setting of fires that can cause significant property damage and endanger lives. Arson cases can be complex, often requiring a deep understanding of forensic evidence, fire science, and legal defenses.

Gerard Kardonsky started practicing criminal defense in 2009 working for a respected lawyer in Tarrant County, Texas. Gerard Kardonsky is a first-generation Texas native and was raised in the D/FW area. He is a world traveler who understands and respects diverse cultural differences. Gerard did his undergrad study at Texas A&M university where he graduated Cum Laude in 2004. He then went on to receive his J.D. from the University of Florida Fredric G. Levin College of Law in 2008. Gerard is a licensed attorney in the States of Texas and Florida. He also speaks fluent Russian

• Mile Brissette - Attorney at Law
  • Hummel Murder Case 

Dr. Fred Napp  

Case Study: Haltom City Arson 

Dr. Fred Napp recently retired from the City of Haltom City, Texas Fire Department where he was the Deputy Chief of Operations and Fire Marshal. Dr. Napp started his career in the fire service as a volunteer firefighter/EMT in 1983. After starting a career as a teacher in 1987, he began his career in Haltom City as a firefighter in 1993. Since that time, he was promoted to Lieutenant and then Deputy Chief of Services. 

He was appointed Fire Marshal in 2007. He is also a paramedic and a certified master peace officer/arson investigator. He has testified as an Expert Witness in several arson cases. He holds five degrees including a Ph.D. in Leadership Studies. He is a graduate of the National Fire Academy’s Executive Officer Program held in Emmitsburg, Maryland. Dr. Napp is married to Heather who is a recently retired elementary school teacher.  

Tom Legler, FM, CFPS, MIFireE

 Bridging Justice: The Victoria Islamic Center Fire, Investigation, and Community Impact.

Tom Legler is the Division Chief – Fire Marshal for the City of Lewisville, Texas.  Prior to joining the Lewisville Fire Department in 2022, he was the Assistant Chief – Fire Marshal for the City of Victoria. He is credentialed as a Fire Marshal through the Center for Public Safety Excellence, where is also serves as a Peer Reviewer.   

Legler has a Bachelor of Science in Fire Protection and Safety Engineering Technology and a Master of Science in Fire and Emergency Management Administration from Oklahoma State University.   In 2017, Legler received the Robert A Kubena Regional Citizenship Award from the Golden Crescent Regional Planning Commission.  In 2019, Legler was part of the team that received an award from the US Attorney’s Office in the Southern District of Texas for the prosecution of Marq Perez for burning the Victoria Islamic Center.  

Ken Rawlinson

Hands-on Fire Scene Photography 

Ken Rawlinson is currently serving as the Deputy Fire Chief/Fire Marshal for the Trophy Club Fire Department and has been in the fire service for over 20 years. Chief Rawlinson holds certifications as a Master Firefighter, Master Arson Investigator, Master Fire Inspector, and a Master Peace Officer and has received a B.S. in Fire Administration from Columbia Southern University.  

Outside of his fire service career, Chief Rawlinson owned and operated a part time photography business, Rawlinson Photography, from 2005 to 2017 where he photographed over 200 weddings and hundreds of portrait sessions. Chief Rawlinson has been an active member of the Tarrant County Arson Task Force and has photographed hundreds of fire scenes including dozens of arson cases, fatalities, and large dollar losses. Chief Rawlinson has taught numerous crime scene and fire investigation related photography classes in the region and enjoys equipping investigators with the ability to properly document fire scenes with their limited department-supplied photography equipment.

Moses Druxman 

Mental Health Implications for Fire Investigators 

Chief Moses Druxman began his fire service career as a Firefighter with the City of Azle in 2009 and with the Briar-Reno Fire Department in 2013. In 2018 Chief Druxman took over fire operations by overseeing the hiring of the departments first paid staff. By 2024 the agency has transitioned to a staff of over 30 full time, part time, and volunteers who operate out of two stations (Tarrant and Parker County). During his tenure, Chief Druxman oversaw the development of the department’s first Fire Marshal’s office, Special Response Unit, Wildland team, and Community Response Unit. Chief Druxman alongside the leaders four other organizations in Northwest Tarrant County founded the Northwest Tarrant County Crisis Intervention Team in 2023. The team provides crisis response to the communities of unincorporated Tarrant County, Pelican Bay, Reno, Azle, Lake Worth, and Saginaw. 

Chief Druxman carries numerous certifications including EMT-B, Master Firefighter, Master Fire Investigator, Master Fire Inspector, Fire Instructor II, Fire Officer IV, Fire Marshal, Hazardous Materials Technician, Incident Safety Officer, EMS Instructor/Educator, Head of Department, Hostage Negotiator, Mental Health Officer, Crisis Incident Stress Management, and several other certifications.

Chief Druxman attended the University of North Texas at Dallas where he studied Fire and EMS Administration and the Weatherford College Law Enforcement academy. He is also a graduate of the Texas Fire Chiefs Academy.

Chief Druxman is a proud member of the Tarrant County Arson Task Force, International Association of Fire Chiefs and Texas Fire Chiefs Association, International Association of Arson Investigator and Texas Association of Arson Investigators, Texas Fire Marshals Association, Texas Association of Hostage Negotiators, Texas Crisis Intervention Team, and Emergency Managers Association of Texas,

Beyond his firefighting career, Chief Druxman spent over a decade serving in various political roles influencing public policy and advocating for the rights of private property owners in Texas. 

Jeremiah Pratt, PE, CFI, CFEI, CVFI

Electrical Aspects of Scene Examination &

Investigating Appliance and Product Failures

Jeremiah Pratt is a Licensed Professional Engineer, Managing Partner and Fire & Failure Analyst with Genesis Forensics, Inc. in Massachusetts. Jeremiah has been a fire investigator for the past ten years and is certified IAAI-CFI, NAFI-CFEI and NAFI-CVFI. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Mr. Pratt spent 14 years as a product designer for the department of defense, medical, utility, and consumer markets. Mr. Pratt’s breadth of experience and knowledge make him especially suited to investigations involving all types of electro-mechanical designs. 

Additionally, Mr. Pratt has over 25 years of firefighting experience with extensive classroom and live burn training. He is currently the Massachusetts District 7 Fire Investigation Unit Training Coordinator and an instructor of the Fire Investigation: Electrical Systems course for the National Fire Academy.

Kelly Colwell

Investigating Lightning Strike Fires

Kelly Colwell is a certified Master Electrician and brings over 20 years of experience in both residential and commercial construction. Since 2001, Mr. Colwell has investigated matters involving fires, electrocution or shock, failures of electrical systems and components, lightning-related incidents, and analysis of electrical installations.

Mr. Colwell has provided presentations on fires and electrical accidents and has provided expert testimony in multiple states. In addition to his work in failure analysis, Mr. Colwell currently owns and manages an electrical contracting business operating in the North Texas area.

Mr. Colwell is one of the founders of Integrity Forensics & Engineering, LLC.

Tim Yandell, CFEI, CVFI Certified 

Critical Task in Fire Investigations

State of Oklahoma (Retired) 

Tim Yandell has been involved in Fire and Explosion Investigations and Fire Suppression since 1983. Tim retired in 2004 from Ponca City Fire Department as a Captain in fire suppression and investigations. 

Tim has been investigating Fire Origin and Cause of Structures, Vehicles, Heavy Equipment and Wildland Fires along with conducting Mechanical Failure Examinations, Evidence Preservation/Collection, as well as, testifying in both Criminal and Civil Litigation in District and Federal Court for over thirty years. 

Tim has authored and co-authored five fire training manuals- Vehicle Fire/Arson Investigation, Phase 2 Fire Investigations, Fire Investigation Based on NFPA® 921 and NFPA® 1033, Writing and Defending Your Expert Report and Fire Death Investigation. Tim lectures nationally to Local, State, Federal Agencies, Insurance, private, and military Investigators, prosecutors, vehicle manufacture representatives and their engineers. 

SOME PROCEEDS FROM THIS YEAR'S CONFERENCE WILL BE GOING TO 

MICHAEL'S MEMORIES 

and

FIRE FIGHTER CANCER NETWORK