Del Higgerson retired from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) in 2020. He worked his entire career at Pelican Bay State Prison (PBSP) with 24 years of service. Del started as a Correctional Officer, promoted to Correctional Sergeant, then to Correctional Lieutenant. 

Del worked various assignments including Housing Units, General Population Yards, Security Housing Unit, Program Offices, Security Squad, Gang Investigations Unit and retiring as the Public Information Officer.

He has helped teach courses during In-Service Training relating to Staff suicide awareness, CPR, Riot Control, PEER Support, De-escalation Techniques and how to survive a hostage incident to new Staff. 

He has 20 years of Crisis Response Team (CRT) experience, and more than half of that time was as the Negotiations team leader. He has completed hundreds of hours of crisis negotiator trainings. He has responded to numerous incidents from suicidal subjects to armed barricaded subject incidents. Del is one of the select group of Cadre Instructors for CDCR at the Negotiations Certification Course (NCC). NCC is a rigorous two week basic / advanced Crisis Negotiator academy. The Cadre are responsible for certifying Crisis Negotiators within the Department. Many of the outside agencies that have also attended NCC include FBI, Border Patrol, Singapore Police and Marines.

Del has received Departmental Awards including, Supervisor of the year, Unit Citation Award, Gold Star Award for act of bravery, commitment to public safety and numerous letters of appreciation from within the Department and outside Agencies.

Del is enjoying retirement life in Texas with his lovely wife. He loves giving back to his passion of Crisis Negotiations and PEER support. Del emphasizes to be humble and take a sincere interest in other people.