On two separate trips, Kayla was accompanied by Ophion officers while navigating the legal and personal challenges of her custody battle. “(My ex-husband) opened the door- and there I was with Marc, and my two youngest kids saw me and ran to me.” That moment, she recalls, was the first step toward putting her family back together.
 

The presence of trained security was vital. Kayla shared that “(Ophion) knew exactly what they were doing, they had body cams and recorded everything, they were professional, non-aggressive. They had a very strong presence.” This assurance allowed her to move forward with confidence, knowing that her safety and her children’s safety were the top priority.
 

Marc, one of the Ophion officers and leaders, who worked alongside her, reflected on the approach: “The priority was making sure our client Kayla was safe, and her kids were safe. 99 percent of our job is de-escalation. PD got involved, because (dad) thought he could flex. When the police showed up on the scene, things escalated, but as the third party I was able to take it down a notch. (The priority was to) keep the kids safe during these exchanges, because you have to. I have a lot of years of protection work, so it’s what we do.”
 

Through a very private and delicate situation, Kayla says having Ophion at her side made all the difference. “They were very professional, always right there, all questions answered. And having a witness to everything so nobody could manipulate anything was very important to me. I was also very comfortable (with them).”

Why This Matters

Cases like Kayla’s called the presence of licensed Level 4 Personal Protection Officers (PPOs) from the state of Texas. This designation is the highest level of private security license in Texas, reserved for bodyguards who complete advanced training in defensive tactics, de-escalation, coordination with law enforcement, and personal protection planning.
 

Our role was not tied to a single site. We traveled with Kayla as her personal protection detail, making sure she remained safe and supported throughout the process. Working across state lines meant preparing for unpredictable circumstances, staying within legal guidelines, and providing a protective presence that gave her confidence to move forward.
 

The benefit of having Level 4 officers is twofold. First, they ensure personal safety in situations where emotions run high and risks are real. Second, they provide accountability by documenting events and applying de-escalation strategies whenever possible. For Kayla, that meant her focus could remain on her family, knowing her safety and her rights were backed by trained professionals.