Officer Wood attended Illinois Valley Community College where he received an associate degree in Criminal Justice Science. After receiving his associate degree, he transferred to Illinois State University where he graduated with honors and received his bachelor's degree in the same major. Ofc. Wood worked as a security guard at Illinois Community College for two years before receiving an offer of employment from the LaSalle Police Department as a Patrolman.
The Police Training Institute at the University of Illinois is where Ofc. Wood received his formal police training, alongside Officer Presthus. When graduating from the academy, Ofc. Wood received recognition for placing in the top 10 students of hisclass for cumulative grades. Ofc. Wood continued to work with the LaSalle Police Department for two years before applying to work for the Peru Police Department.
