The Call (Stories From Behind the Badge)

In December of 1970, the Phoenix Police Department lost two officers in one night, Officer Albert Bluhm was shot and Officer Dale Stone killed in a motorcycle accident while responding to the officer down call of Bluhm. After that night, 6 Phoenix Business Men came together to form an organization in support of the families known as The Phoenix 100 Club which grew into The 100 Club of Arizona as we know it today.  Join us on the latest episode of The Call as we speak with one of the founders of the club, Bill Shover as recalls how the club was built in the midst of tragedy. 

Our latest episode of “The Call” podcast featuring Jason Schechterle, and his son Masen Schechterle is out now on Spotify and TheCallPod.com! You don't want to miss how inspiring their stories are and how they overcame adversity as a family.   From Jason raising a family as a law enforcement officer, to surviving a near fatal accident, and teaching his children what it means to be accountable for one's own life, we hope this episode brings to light one of many experiences that our public safety community and their families endure every day. Listen in, now!

Our latest episode of “The Call” podcast featuring Dr. Nameeta Sahni is out now on Spotify, Apple Music and also TheCallPod.com! With topics ranging from mental health, to the daily stresses of working in law enforcement, and even sharing stories about past experiences, we hope that our discussion provides insight and resources to help public safety workers and their families.

Detective Clark Schwartzkopf details one of the most harrowing cases in the valley's history, and we're grateful to him and his colleague Andy Hill for sharing their story with us.   Check out our exclusive interview for “The Call” podcast on "The Call" Podcast website (See Link Below). Clark and Andy give us details not found in the book! Random Recreational Violence is a book that Clark spent countless hours on and is ready to share his account with everyone and give never before told information about the inner workings of their investigation.   This expert investigator's first-hand account of a blood-stained hunt for criminals reveals the inner workings of law enforcement and a detective's extraordinary care for over thirty-five victims. Unpacking the case with meticulous scrutiny and remarkable storytelling, Schwartzkopf reveals the wanton pathology of a psychopath and the undercover moves it took to catch and convict the killers, including the heavy toll of pursuing them day and night.   The Call Podcast: https://thecall.libsyn.com/   Order the book here and proceeds will go to the 100 Club of Arizona: https://www.100club.org/book   Also check out the Oxygen Channel Serial Killer with Det. Clark's episode scheduled to air soon: https://www.oxygen.com/mark-of-a-killer/episode-guide   Det. Clark also mentions "Catching Killers" on Netflix UK. This has not been released yet, but will also be coming to Netflix USA soon also. Look for this episode detailing Det. Clark's Day to Day life as a Detective on a serial killer case and how it affected him and his family.

Northwest Firefighter Gary Watson has spent 20+ years in the fire service, from paramedic to engineer he has experienced a lot.  Today, Gary's mission revolves around putting First Responders First through peer support.  Join us on this latest episode of The Call Podcast as Gary shares the story about how he is bringing mental health issues to the forefront of the fire service and showing that all it takes is just a conversation to save a First Responders life.

Tucson police sergeant David Allen has found himself in working in many different areas of law-enforcement in his career, each one for a season.  Join us for part one of this two-part series of The Call as Sergeant Allen shares with us stories from behind the badge and the many different seasons of his career.

Tucson police sergeant David Allen has found himself in working in many different areas of law-enforcement in his career, each one for a season.  Join us for part one of this two-part series of The Call as Sergeant Allen shares with us stories from behind the badge and the many different seasons of his career.

As a Tucson Fire Department Public Information Officer, Barrett Baker's duties included sharing information and details of calls that most could never imagine.  In our most recent episode Battalion Chief Baker shares with us how he looks at his career with a No Bad Days perspective, turning tragic calls into education experiences for the public.

Join us for Part 2 of The Call Episode 19 where we continue our talk with Tempe Police Officer Lindsay Long.  In the fall of 2018 Officer Long and her partner set out on a routine call to serve an order of protection, what they didn't know is the ripple effect that would happen when the suspect opened fire of them.  In Part 2, Officer Long talks about the events after her critical incident and how the ripple effect has continued to affect her personal and professional life.

Join us for The Call Episode 19 Part 1 where we talk with Tempe Police Officer Lindsay Long.  In the fall of 2018 Officer Long and her partner set out on a routine call to serve an order of protection, what they didn't know is the ripple effect that would happen when the suspect opened fire of them.  Officer Long talks about the events leading up to and during her critical incident in part one of this two part series.  Join us next week as we continue with The Ripple Effect.

We are joined by Agent Eliseo Guillen on today's episode of The Call: Stories from Behind the Badge. From a wild desert chase to a race against time to rescue an abandoned child from the clutches of a sex offender, Eliseo gives us a glimpse into the life of a Border Patrol Agent.

On the latest episode of The Call: Stories from Behind the Badge, we welcome Pima County Sheriff's Department Detective Gosta Zetterburg.  Detective Zetterburg shares with us his 19 year journey from starting in patrol as a Deputy, transitioning to the Border Crime Unit, Special Investigations Unit and to his position now as the head of the Night Detective Unit.  Listen as Detective Zetterburg shares with us stories from his time in Border Crime investigating Drug Smuggling and in Child Crimes where the drowning of a young girl hit close to home.

Troy Hayes spent 34 years as a First Responder—17 of those years with the Arizona Department of Public Safety as a trooper/paramedic with the Air Rescue Unit. Join us on the latest episode of The Call: Stories from Behind the Badge as Troy shares the story of a unique day in Arizona when he happened to end up using his snow shoes—what started as a simple call for help escalated into a dangerous standoff in the middle of the woods.

You might know him for his fun firefighter parodies like Turn Out for What, My Knee Hurts Now and Booter, but we know him as Firefighter Brent Fenton of the Daisy Mountain Fire Department. Join us as Firefighter Fenton shares his journey from the son of a Phoenix Police Officer to firefighter, his rise on social media and The Call of his first burn victim after becoming a medic.

From a ride along with a neighbor to Pinal County Sheriff. Sheriff Mark Lamb shares his journey in law enforcement from starting with the Salt River PD working with the gang unit and his path to American Sheriff on the hit reality television shows Live PD & 60 Days In.

U.S. Border Patrol Agent Mike has had 17 surgeries, 26 procedures, 18 broken bones, and 19 sets of stitches; he has been stabbed 4 times, in 4 shoot-outs and has lost a pinky. Join us as he tells us the story of the night he ended up alone and under fire while patrolling the U.S. border. 

Leigha Graziano didn't know she would be called to be in the fire service from a young age, in fact it wasn't a dream of hers until she grew to admire the first responders who came to her family's aid on some of their worst days. Now, after spending 5 years as a Glendale Fire Fighter Leigha shares the story of her brother Dalton, the way he impacted her life and the call that showed her just how fragile life can be.   

Kaile and Tyler's story began in the United States Navy. The two worked together as welders on a ship that naval folks lovingly refer to as "The Love Boat". Friendship blossomed into romance, and after completing their service, Kaile and Tyler moved to Arizona to start their life together. Kaile was attending nursing school while Tyler pursued his dream to become an Arizona State Trooper. It was supposed to be the perfect love story. On July 25th, 2018, after just a few short months on the job, the unthinkable happened—Tyler was killed in the line of duty. To date, Tyler is the youngest fallen Arizona State Trooper.  Join us as Kaile shares her heartbreaking story of Love, Lost In The Line Of Duty.

Each day, our first responders are faced with the harsh realities of our world: darkness, death, danger, and pain. Some calls leave an indelible mark. Join us as Arizona Department of Public Safety's Director, Colonel Frank Milstead, gives us a glimpse into his Law Enforcement career and shares his most memorable calls.

Our third installment of “You Have the Right to Remain Silent”- Join us as Carroll Cooley wraps up our segment on the Miranda case. "It's March of 1963. The time is approximately 11:30PM. Patricia Weir boards the bus following her shift at the Paramount Theater in Phoenix. She exits the bus at her stop at 7th Street and Marlette Avenue. As Patricia makes her way home, a man whom she does not know grabs her and forces her into his vehicle-- she is kidnapped, bound, and raped. Following the assault, Patricia's attacker drops her off near her home. At around 2AM, Phoenix Police Department receives a call from Patricia's home at 1014 E. Citrus Way. Detective Carroll Cooley is assigned to the case. Little did Detective Cooley know, this call would leave a mark on American history and policing as a whole; the Miranda Rights would spring from Patricia's case."

Our second installment of “You Have the Right to Remain Silent”- Join us as Carroll Cooley dives deeper into the Miranda case. It's March of 1963. The time is approximately 11:30PM. Patricia Weir boards the bus following her shift at the Paramount Theater in Phoenix. She exits the bus at her stop at 7th Street and Marlette Avenue. As Patricia makes her way home, a man whom she does not know grabs her and forces her into his vehicle-- she is kidnapped, bound, and raped. Following the assault, Patricia's attacker drops her off near her home.  At around 2AM, Phoenix Police Department receives a call from Patricia's home at 1014 E. Citrus Way. Detective Carroll Cooley is assigned to the case.  Little did Detective Cooley know, this call would leave a mark on American history and policing as a whole; the Miranda Rights would spring from Patricia's case.  EPISODE MUSIC Artist: Chan Walrus Song: 1980's Horror ….. Artist: HolFix Song: Mystery ….. Artist: Movie Music Song: 1980s, Restless, Stranger Things Song Download/Stream: https://audiograb.com/tMoClNXu0

It's March of 1963. The time is approximately 11:30PM. Patricia Weir boards the bus following her shift at the Paramount Theater in Phoenix. She exits the bus at her stop at 7th Street and Marlette Avenue. As Patricia makes her way home, a man whom she does not know grabs her and forces her into his vehicle-- she is kidnapped, bound, and raped. Following the assault, Patricia's attacker drops her off near her home.  At around 2AM, Phoenix Police Department receives a call from Patricia's home at 1014 E. Citrus Way. Detective Carroll Cooley is assigned to the case.  Little did Detective Cooley know, this call would leave a mark on American history and policing as a whole; the Miranda Rights would spring from Patricia's case.  Episode Music: Chan Walrus – 1980's Horror HolFix - Mystery

Steve, a retired Phoenix Firefighter, shares the story of a call that will stay with him forever. It's circa 1990. 2AM. A three-story nightclub on Mill Avenue in Tempe catches fire. The building is old and has been renovated time and time again. Hidden spaces behind walls and beneath floors conceal fire and smoke. Electricity in the building remains on due to crews being unable to gain access to secure power to the building. These elements create a false sense of security- an illusion that the fire is not as advanced as it truly is. While Steve is conducting search and rescue on the second floor, the ceiling above collapses around him.

Many first responders face the harsh realities of traumatic emotional and physical experiences throughout their career. In May of 2016, Officer Mark Valenzuela responded to a call that would forever change his life. Join us as we dive into Mark's tale of trauma, strength, and forgiveness.

Our officers and firefighters put themselves in danger every shift. A "typical" call can turn sideways in an instant; Detective Austin of Phoenix Police Department joins us to tell his story of a "run of the mill" Civil Standby that took an unexpectedly violent turn. 

Autumn's late husband, Tim Barber (a Detective with Tempe Police Department), passed away in 2011 after fighting a long battle with prostate cancer. Following Tim's death, Autumn was faced with the terrible reality of birthing and raising their unborn twins without her husband at her side.  Autumn joins us to share her story of love, loss, and courage in the face of tragedy. 

In April of 2016, Stephen Gunn (an Engineer with Peoria Fire & Medical Department) and 70 other firefighters were dispatched to a house fire near 75th Avenue and Thunderbird. A Peoria home was engulfed in flames following a home invasion that ended in arson, and firefighters received several reports from bystanders and officers that someone was trapped inside.  Stephen Gunn charged into the burning building through a window that had blown out from the heat of the fire. As Gunn crawled under the smoke, his helmet began to melt, his turnouts blackened, and his ears began to burn. Had Gunn been in the building for just 15 to 20 seconds longer, his turnout gear would have caught Fire. Gunn recovered the victim, a 73-year-old man, in less than 45 seconds and passed the victim to his captain. Stephen was treated at Arizona Burn Center for his burns but was back at work for his next shift. Gunn was awarded the Medal of Valor in Washington D.C. this year. The Medal of Valor is the highest recognition for public safety personnel.

While on night patrol in 2014, Officer Sheffert and his partner came across a Young man sprinting down a busy roadway. The Teen's behavior was strange for the neighborhood and the officers stopped him. The young man, Anthony Shultz, explained that he was out for a run because he was training for a wrestling match; Anthony was 16 years old. After talking for a few minutes, the three parted ways.  Their paths would cross again when Sheffert responded to a domestic altercation call at a small apartment about a month later. The one-bedroom was home to Anthony and his seven family members. Following that call, Sheffert checked on Anthony frequently, talking with him for almost an hour each day.  One day, Sheffert received a call from Anthony's mother; she was kicking Anthony out of the house. The Sheffert family saved Anthony from homelessness and took him in as one of their own. Brandon Sheffert's kindness changed Anthony's life forever; Anthony became the first of his family to graduate high school in nearly 30 years and is entering the military this year.