T.E. Nolan entered the Chicago Police Academy in December of 1986. After graduation he was assigned to the south side of Chicago and worked there the remainder of his career. Nolan was a member of the Chicago Police Department Gang Crimes Unit, Hostage Barricade Terrorist Team, selected as a rifleman for the HBT Team, and was promoted to detective in 1996.  Nolan was assigned to Area One Violent Crimes where he investigated all violent crimes but primarily Homicides. In 2013, Nolan was certified as a Fire Investigator in Illinois and worked in the Chicago Police Department's Bomb and Arson Section before returning to Area One Violent Crimes for the remainder of his career.
T.E. Nolan lives in Apollo Beach Florida with his wife and three dogs.