Lew served in the Marine Corps from 1976 to 1983 in Artillery and Military Police. He served in East Los Angeles as a police officer and Sergeant, retiring after 31 years, working patrol, detectives, warrant team supervisor and many other positions. He has an extensive competition background, having won the SOF 3-Gun, End of Trail SASS and Steel Challenge Shotgun Speed Championship. He has been a Gunsite instructor and Rangemaster since 2008.