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Editor's note: This is one of a series of stories to be published through the end of the year, bringing readers up to date on topics and people who were in the news during the past year.

It was a little more than a year ago that former Lee County Sheriff Rod Shoap was defeated in his bid for re-election. But what was once a bitter sting has transformed into a surprising relief that has allowed the former lawman to re-energize his life and pursue other career options, which could include another run at sheriff.

Shoap, 51, was defeated in the Republican primary election by current Sheriff Mike Scott, who pulled in about 62 percent of the votes, before running unopposed for the agency's top job two months later. Following the defeat and the ensuing shakeup at the Sheriff's Office, Shoap left office in late December, three days early.

Looking back, he said the change was a blessing, a chance to move on to different endeavors. But his heart is still in law enforcement, where he spent 27 years, he said.

Shoap of Cape Coral has taken his law enforcement and instruction background to Bonita Springs-based Source Interlink Cos. Shoap is the director of corporate compliance for the publicly traded company. The company employs about 6,000 people and is one of the nation's leaders in the distribution of magazines, compact discs and DVDs.

In his job Shoap oversees management training and handles investigation and compliance issues. He has spent the last few months developing a new training program in compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, which enforces compliance with various federal mandates for publicly traded companies.

"It's been wonderful," Soap said. "I'm off on weekends, I rarely work nights, and I don't get called when I go home."

The little bit of relaxation and slower pace is nice, Shoap admits, but he says a part of him still wants to get into law enforcement.

He has recently been applying for police chief positions throughout the United States. He was recently a finalist for positions in Tennessee and South Carolina, but lost out both times.

"It's hard to get these positions," Shoap said. "These are national searches with hundreds of applicants, so to be a finalist is an honor. It's good to do this, it keeps me sharp."

And the thoughts of returning to law enforcement aren't limited to police chief positions. There is still a possibility he'll run for Lee County sheriff in 2008, Shoap said.

"You know, when I first (lost the election), I thought, 'No, there is no way I would put my family though it again,'" Shoap said.

"Then I started getting e-mails and phone calls, and see my supporters are behind me."

Shoap said he thinks he could be competitive if he ran against Scott again, attributing his past defeat to low turnout.

"I firmly believe if more people would have come out, I would have won," Shoap said.

The possible election run is still years away, however, and Shoap insists he's happy where he is. He said he would not be against remaining with the company until his retirement in 10 years.

"I think we are a good match for each other," Shoap said. "I like my job now. But I miss law enforcement."