- Why he joined S.T.A.R.S.: Joseph was a thrill-seeker. He joined the R.P.D. initially for the adrenaline, but he was nearly fired for "reckless use of department equipment" after souping up a patrol car’s engine. When S.T.A.R.S. was formed, Wesker saw a use for that dangerous curiosity. Joseph was made the Firearms Specialist and Maintenance Tech, essentially becoming the "armorer" who kept Alpha Team’s gear running at 110%.
- The Reputation: He was the unit’s "Spark Plug." If the team was exhausted, Joseph was the one shouting jokes or blasting music in the locker room. However, his "hot-blooded" nature made him unpredictable in high-stress scenarios; he tended to charge in where others took cover.
- The Meeting: He met Chris during the initial S.T.A.R.S. firearm trials. While Chris was surgical and precise, Joseph was fast and loud. They bonded over a mutual love for "pushing the limits."
- The Dynamic: Joseph and Forest were the mechanical backbone of the unit. They’d spend all night in the hangar with Kevin Dooley or in the armory, tweaking the "Samurai Edge" prototypes.
- The Trio of Trouble: Joseph, Chris, and Forest were often seen (and heard) tearing through the city on motorcycles. Roy was the older brother figure who usually had to bail them out or talk the regular beat cops out of writing them tickets. This is exactly why Chief Brian Irons hated them; they were elite, they knew it, and they treated his precinct like a playground.
Joseph didn't come from a long line of law enforcement. He was a Raccoon City local who grew up in the industrial district, spending his teens as a "garage rat." He had an obsessive curiosity about how things worked—specifically things that could catch fire or blow up.
Joseph’s social life was a legendary headache for the R.P.D. administration. He formed a tight-knit, boisterous circle with Chris Redfield, Forest Speyer, and Roy Harrington.
Joseph’s treatment of Brad Vickers was a point of contention in his personnel file. To Joseph, S.T.A.R.S. was a brotherhood of warriors. He viewed Brad’s technical expertise as "civilian" and his caution as "cowardice." In Joseph’s mind, he wasn't being a bully; he was "stress-testing" the weak link. He believed that if he could rattle Brad in the hallway, he was preparing him for the field. He’d hide Brad’s flight manuals, mess with his seat settings, and constantly remind him that the "Rear Security" position was just a fancy name for the guy hiding in the back.
Because of his technical background, Joseph was one of the only two officers equipped with a Body-Worn Video Unit. Wesker claimed it was for "tactical review," but Joseph just liked having a "movie" of his exploits. He was also the only one brave/crazy enough to handle the HazMat duties, often seen in the lab mixing chemicals for breaching charges with a cigarette dangling dangerously close to his lips.
Jack’s Bar: July 22, 1996 (21:15 Hours)*
The neon sign for Jack's Bar flickered, casting a buzzing red glow over the booth where Joseph and Chris sat. The football game was just background noise to the sound of clinking glasses and Joseph’s booming laughter. Joseph leaned back, his chair creaking. He had a mischievous, alcohol-brightened glint in his eyes as he nudged Chris with his elbow.
"I’m tellin’ ya, Chris," Joseph chuckled, his voice thick with a local Raccoon City accent. "I bet Forest is back at the station right now, acting like he’s doing 'inventory' just to be near that new girl, Rebecca. You see her? Eighteen years old and already a S.T.A.R.S. officer? Kid's a genius."
Joseph took a long, hearty swig of his beer, wiping foam from his lip with the back of his hand. He lowered his voice, though it was still loud enough for the neighboring table to hear.
"Rookie or not, man... she’s got a nice pair of milkers on her. Forest is gonna have a real hard time focusing on his groupings tomorrow if she’s on the range. I give it two days before he tries to 'tutor' her on ballistics."