Paul Holes is a retired cold case investigator, bestselling author, and advocate for mental health in law enforcement. Over the course of his 27-year career with the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office and District Attorney’s Office, Paul specialized in violent crimes, serial homicides, and unsolved cases, combining forensic science and investigative work to bring long-awaited justice to victims and their families.

He is widely known for his role in identifying Joseph DeAngelo, the man behind the Golden State Killer crimes, using groundbreaking forensic genealogy techniques. His work has been featured in major news outlets, documentaries, and podcasts, including The Murder Squad, which he co-hosted for several years.

While Paul’s career has earned national recognition, it is his willingness to speak openly about the emotional cost of that work that has brought new meaning to his legacy. Through his partnership with Wholehearted.org, Paul is helping shape public conversations around trauma, accountability, and the often-hidden psychological impact of life in law enforcement.

His Wholehearted presentation, Unmasked, reveals the personal weight of decades spent inside crime scenes and cold case files. In it, Paul shares his own story, of unprocessed grief, isolation, alcohol use, and the slow accumulation of trauma, and makes a compelling call to reform how first responders are supported in body, mind, and spirit.

Paul continues to serve on the board of Cover Now, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting law enforcement officers and their families before crisis turns to tragedy. He is the author of the best-selling book Unmasked: My Life Solving America’s Cold Cases, a memoir that blends true crime investigation with honest reflection on the cost of bearing witness to violence for a living.

Paul remains committed to helping shift the culture of policing toward one that values mental health, vulnerability, and healing.