Dick Ballinger works as a freelance photographer for the Public Information office of the Fairfax County Police Department and is well known throughout the community. He has also used his photography skills for the Special Olympics with the Virginia State Police in its golf tournaments, Plane Pull, Turkey Trot and Torch Run. He also volunteers his services for Fairfax County Crime Solvers and numerous private functions for the police department.

Dick had a heart attack a few years ago and his health insurance premiums went sky high. Providing his children and wife at home, he could not afford the cost of the insurance and was forced to cancel his policy.

On March 17th 2006, he was diagnosed with kidney cancer and has recently undergone successful surgery to remove the tumor and left kidney. Unfortunately he will be required to undergo a series of treatments to curtail and hopefully cure the remaining cancer.