I Barely Got Here Podcast

Jay is with me to discuss 2 line of duty deaths we had in our department long ago; different in their details, but each impactful.  RIP Lt. Bradshaw and Ofc. Hawk, God bless.

All things Mexico is the topic for this episode - border, drugs, kidnapping, cartels, control of the country - from the perspective of a couple retired cops who dealt first hand with every aspect.

A "routine" noise complaint turns into an odds defying deadly force encounter for my friend Ross, who joins me for this episode.

An armed robbery starts a chain of events ending with two men dead, one being an officer from a neighboring agency.  RIP Officer Snedigar, and God bless your family, Sir.

Second part with Brian, a continuation of our discussion about his experiences working undercover.

Another 2 part series, I got Brian back in with me to tell some stories from his days working undercover, buying drugs, outwitting criminals, and maybe playing the part too well.

The second part of this 2-part series, Jay and I continue the discussion with 2 more police involved shooting incidents that have attracted so much attention.

During this 2-part series, Jay and I discuss four recent police involved shooting incidents that have caused so many people to reach out to us with questions.

Police and Fire are both public safety jobs, but so different.  Greg is with me to discuss his unique experiences having worked both Police and Fire careers; the differences, similarities, and a story or two.

Working a career in both law enforcement and private investigations, you see the beginning, middle and end results of an arrest.  Jay and I discuss what happens after the arrest, and things that are important to know . . . just in case.

Working undercover is one of the most challenging and exciting assignments there is.  And like many law enforcement jobs, often misunderstood, even by other cops.  Jay and I talk about our time working UC, and give our perspectives and thoughts.

Over the years, some of our more interesting PI clients have been professional athletes.  Jay and I discuss the problems unique to them, things that we've learned, and a few specific cases.

John's story starts with a guy looking to save his own neck.  There was a bit of "snitchin'" going on, culminating with a guy getting killed just to make sure he couldn't.  Drugs may have played a minor role in this one.

"Stripper Sisters, Drugs & Murder", according to Rolling Stones magazine.  This was a multi-faceted case that garnered national attention.  Jay relates the details for this strange story, part of which involved a horrific murder contrasted with the beauty of the murder scene.

Amazing how greed can corrupt even those we like to think would be above it.  Another Jay story about a group of men trying to recoup their money after a bad investment, and how far they're willing to go to get it back.

Retired homicide investigator John is back with a story that starts with blood on the floor of a motel room, initially explained away with a ridiculous explanation.  I even learn something new from this one, still not sure I believe it.

Jay calls on a Sunday afternoon with a story about a body in a barrel . . . and not in a funny way.  We talk a little about private investigations work, then unwind the story.

In seconds, a search warrant spins into a hostage situation with a heavily armed, tweaked out suspect . . . and it doesn't end well.  Jay and I were both out on this SWAT callout, but his role was far more demanding and intense.

A single mother's fateful decision to hang out at a Hells Angels clubhouse is the basis for this episode.  Even though retired, Jay played an indispensable role in this controversial homicide investigation.

An armed robbery goes down at a restaurant in Phoenix, but it happens the morning after it was supposed to.  And we know who did it.  Jay and I recount a serial robbery investigation where despite all the hard work and investigative tools brought to bear, no one was ever arrested.

Jay is back with me to describe his experience as a K9 handler.  We talk about how he got into the assignment, a few stories, and what it's like to have a hairy, slobbering, biting machine for a partner.

A dangerous felon, on the run from the cops, snatches a small boy off the street, resulting in a hostage situation.  Unlike most, this one does not end well.  Listen as my good friend Jay recounts this incident, and the heavy price paid by law enforcement.

Over a career, a cop sees hundreds of really gross things, some they'll never forget.  Some are silly, and humorous, maybe in a sick way, and some are enough to make you retch even years later.  Here's a few that have stuck with me.

They say prostitution is the oldest profession, but it's still illegal most everywhere.  While misrepresented in TV and movies, give this episode a listen for a more accurate, much less glamorous reality.

Bad guys hide from good guys - always have, always will.  While "hide & seek" incidents are often dangerous and not fun at the time, here are a few I can recall with a smile.

Wrapping up my Bosnian work experience with a few more stories - a run-in with the Italian police, a mass grave, scary snow, and going back home.

More on my Bosnian experience with day to day operations, working with other nationalities and learning more about their culture and how different we can be on some issues.

Following a civil war in Bosnia-Herzegovina, I went there as part of a United Nations program to help modernize and improve the civilian police force.  From avoiding landmines to a mass grave, with some good times thrown in, over the next few episodes I'll explain how I got there, and some memorable experiences.

We've all seen someone do something stupid and dangerous, and wished the cops were there to do something.  Here's a couple of bicycle riding stories where that's just what happened, much to the displeasure of the offenders.

A man threatening suicide turns out to be a wanted fugitive, and a SWAT callout ensues.  Even after our best efforts, this one doesn't end as desired.

Dealing with a riot isn't something the average law enforcement officer does very frequently during a career, if at all.  Given current events, I thought this was a good time to talk about a small riot I was involved in, with a little commentary.

An unruly guy and 2 cops are in a bar . . . maybe you've heard this one before.  But this guy made the call memorable with an unusual allegation, which in turn created a bit of an urban myth at our police department.

Little lighter fare this episode.  I talk about social interactions with friends, as well as "ride alongs", and one in particular that was memorable.

Join Scott and I as he relates his story of being involved in a terrible officer involved shooting that in all reality should have ended his life that day.  This is an example of things going from 0 to 100 in a fraction of a second, you'll hear part of it, and a man's determination and will to survive. 

Hanging out, smoking dope and watching Friends . . . then the cops show up.  This gathering takes a hard left turn, resulting in a foot pursuit and shooting.  My friend Tom joins me to tell his story.

Lot of opinions out there as to what to do, but I give the perspective of first responders and other "essential" workers.  This, and the short story at the end, both involve the wearing of our pajamas, although for very different reasons.

"Don't you have anything better to do?" - the sarcastic question that launched a thousand extra tickets and charges.  This story starts with a traffic citation and ends with traffic school . . . with a SWAT callout in between.

If you are a cop, getting in fights with people is inevitable no matter how good your "people skills" are.  I discuss my thoughts on the issue, as well as a few memorable "altercations".

Thought I would do a "mix tape" of a few short stories for this episode - "Headlights", "Albatross", and "Initiation". 

A drunk guy is racing around in a parking lot, and I try to stop him on my police bicycle . . . what could possibly go wrong.

Officer involved shootings are dangerous and traumatic, but rarely rise to the level of this story.  Join my good friend Chuck and I as he recounts an incident where they were ambushed and shot by a man with a gun.

Domestic Violence calls are some of the most dangerous calls officers deal with.  This one involved a man with a gun hunting down his ex-girlfriend at her office building.  One of them didn't live to see another day.

Proactive planning for things to go wrong is an everyday part of being a supervisor in Special Investigations.  Greg is back and we talk about his experience with a drug buy that nearly cost us much more than the drugs.

A suicide threat call is bad enough, but this one involved a teenage boy, a large knife, and his not so engaged parents.  If you, or someone you know happens to be struggling with this issue, please call the suicide prevention hotline for help. 

A dropped flash drive leads to the discovery of a federal attorney's sick obsession.  Join a current narcotics detective and I as we discuss the fall of a man who went from helping people stay out of prison, to becoming a lifer inmate himself.

Listen in as retired homicide detective John and I discuss one of his most infamous homicide cases.  This one involved a well-known local businessman and a deal for jewelry that went bad.

 A crew of burglars are breaking into people's cars, leaving them to finish their evenings out with broken windows and stolen purses, money & stereos.  Our efforts to stop the trend starts a chain of events that neither the crooks nor us see coming.

Happy to announce my first episode with a guest.  Join Greg and I as we recall an investigation involving stolen trucks, quick hit burglaries, and our attempt to catch the crooks while they smash into cars and even take aim at us.

A frantic, screaming mother sets this episode in motion, and as we work to figure things out, the grim reality of her problem becomes clear.  Should she be held responsible?

Even with several law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, looking for a serial bank robber, they still can't catch him.  Come along with us as we approach the mission in an unconventional manner, at an unconventional place, that just might work.

Are you the cop, or are you the kid in the Jeep?  Take a listen while I deal with a homeless man under less than comfortable conditions.  Was I helping him or beating him up?  See how easily it could be seen as either, and the constant battle cops fight against perception versus reality.