Mike McCleery is an Ector County  Deputy Sheriff and a member of the SWAT TEAM, but before entering Law Enforcement Mike has always been Dale Lehman's student and a member of OBC Judo Team since 1965 at the age of 11 years. Mike earned his 1st Degree Black Belt in Tokyo, Japan at 19 years of age. After two years of daily training and nationwide competition Mike traveled back to Japan at age 21 to earn his 2nd degree Black Belt. He spent the next two years training at the Kodokan and traveling around Japan competing.
     In 1980 the United States Olympic Judo Organization chose 8 elite competitors from each weight division from around the United States to train daily at the United States Olympic Training Center for 4 years. Mike was one of those elite athletes chosen. During this time he competed against International Judo Teams.



     During Mike McCleery's 42 years in Judo he stacked up titles at Major tournaments such as; 13 Gold Medals and 2 Silver Medals in the Texas State Championships. 2 Gold Medals and 1 Bronze Medal in the National Masters Championships. 4 Gold Medals in the Florida State Judo Games. 2 Bronze Medals in the U.S. Olympic Pre-Trial Games. 1 Gold Medal at the Mexico City Good Will Game. 2 Gold Medals at the American-Canadian Championships.

 
 On Thursday night May 24, 2007 United States Judo, Inc. and Texas Judo, Inc., promoted Mike McCleery to 6th Degree Black Belt. With Sheriff Mark Donaldson present, Dale Lehman presented Mike the coveted Red & White Belt.