Cops and Writers Podcast

Send us Fan Mail Welcome back, everyone, for the conclusion of my interview with Retired FBI Special Agent, Author, and Professor Raymond Carr. When we think of bank robberies, it conjures up visions of iconic movies like Dog Day Afternoon, Heat, and, of course, Keanu Reeves and Patrick Swayze battling it out in Point Break. My guest on the show today, retired FBI Special Agent Raymond Carr, hunted down hundreds of real bank robbers. Today’s episode, we will break down that one defining case of a career for Ray, the most prolific bank robber of all time, who was known as the Friday Night Bank Robber, Carl Gugasian. Carl evaded capture for thirty years before Ray was on the case. Carl is believed to have been involved in over 50 robberies before Ray ultimately arrested him. We will also dive into Ray’s life after leaving the bureau, being a college professor, and writing the book, 30 Years On The Run: The Hunt For The Most Prolific Bank Robber In History. Please enjoy this fascinating conversation with the FBI agent who caught the bank robber who was on the run for over 30 years and brought him to justice. In today’s episode, we discuss: · The Friday Night Bank Robber, Carl Gugasian. When and how he first become aware of him and started working on the case? · A breakdown of the case. · Carl’s background. · Over 30 years of robbing banks! · Army Ranger and 3rd degree black belt in karate. · Troubled youth. · His bunkers. · His sometimes violent robberies · How he was arrested. · How Ray got a confession. · Statute of limitations on bank robberies and how this played out in this case. · Ray’s relationship with Carl. · When is Carl eligible to get out of prison? · Life after retirement. What Ray misses the most about being in the FBI, or least? · Ray’s book, 30 Years On The Run: The Hunt For The Most Prolific Bank Robber In History. Why write it? All of this and more on today’s episode of the Cops and Writers podcast. Check out Ray's website! Check out my newest book! Police Stories: The Rookie Years - True Crime, Chaos & Life as a Big City Cop! What's the craziest thing you saw when you were a cop? My first week on the job, a guy running at me with a butcher knife. He'd just killed his brother over the last hot dog. That's chapter 1. There are 33 more. Police Stories: The Rookie Years just launched - available on Amazon. Search 'Police Stories Patrick O'Donnell' or click th Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Welcome, everyone, to part one of my interview with Retired FBI Special Agent, Author, and Professor Raymond Carr. The conclusion of this interview will air next Sunday! When we think of bank robberies, it conjures up visions of iconic movies like Dog Day Afternoon, Heat, and, of course, Keanu Reeves and Patrick Swayze battling it out in Point Break. My guest on the show today, retired FBI Special Agent Raymond Carr, hunted down hundreds of real bank robbers, including the most prolific bank robber of all time, who was known as the Friday Night Bank Robber, Carl Gugasian. Carl evaded capture for thirty years before Ray was on the case. Carl is believed to have been involved in over 50 robberies before Ray ultimately arrested him. A little about Ray. Dr Raymond J Carr is a retired 26-year veteran of the FBI, and during his career was responsible for investigations into a wide array of criminal behavior, including, but not limited to, drugs, Terrorism, violent, and white-collar crimes. Dr Carr is currently an associate professor at Wilmington University and the Director of the Wilmington University Criminal Justice Institute. Please enjoy this fascinating conversation with the FBI agent who caught the bank robber who was on the run for over 30 years and brought him to justice. In today’s episode, we discuss: · Growing up an Army brat. · Having a dad who was a Korean and Vietnam War hero. · Being of service. · What influenced him to go into the FBI? · Relatives who were in law enforcement. · Ray’s FBI academy experience. · When he first got interested in criminal behavior or profiling. · What do TV and movies get wrong about profiling? · The science of criminal behavior/profiling. · What drives someone to become an active shooter in a school? · The most common bank robberies. · Funny bank robbery stories. All of this and more on today’s episode of the Cops and Writers podcast. Check out Ray's website! Head on over to my website to learn more about me and my books! Check out my newest book! Police Stories: The Rookie Years - True Crime, Chaos & Life as a Big City Cop! What's the craziest thing you saw when you were a cop? My first week on the job, a guy running at me with a butcher knife. He'd just killed his brother over the last hot dog. That's chapter 1. There are 33 more. Police Stories: The Rookie Years just launched - available on Amazon. Search 'Police Stories Patrick O'Donnell' or click th Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Welcome everyone to a bonus episode of the Cops and Writers podcast, author spotlight with bestselling author and publicist, Deborah Levison. Her first book, THE CRATE, won seven literary awards, and Lee Child, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the JACK REACHER series, said, “THE CRATE is an impressive piece of work." Since then, she wrote A Nest of Snakes and recently released A Novel Crime, which has been described as “Uproariously funny, exquisitely unputdownable, and ingeniously plotted... the perfect, delicious escape." Please enjoy this wide-ranging conversation with one of my favorite authors. In today’s episode, we discuss: · Her award-winning and bestselling book, The Crate. · Growing up as a child of immigrants who were Holocaust survivors. · The growing antisemitic rhetoric in this country. · Lee Child giving her a glowing review for The Crate. · Her book launch for her newest book, A Novel Crime! Let’s just say sometimes things don’t always go as planned. All of this and more on today’s episode of the Cops and Writers podcast. Please visit Deborah Levison's website to learn more about her and her books. Head on over to my website to learn more about me and my books! Check out my newest book! Police Stories: The Rookie Years - True Crime, Chaos & Life as a Big City Cop! What's the craziest thing you saw when you were a cop? My first week on the job, a guy running at me with a butcher knife. He'd just killed his brother over the last hot dog. That's chapter 1. There are 33 more. Police Stories: The Rookie Years just launched - available on Amazon. Search 'Police Stories Patrick O'Donnell' or click th Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Welcome everyone to the conclusion of my interview with Naperville Police Department Retired Police Sergeant and now Spokesperson for the National Police Association, Betsy Brantner Smith. Last week, we learned about Betsy’s journey from growing up in a small town on a farm to making it to a big-city police department and all the unthinkable harassment and bullying she endured from within her own agency. This week, we learn about her work as an undercover cop involved in high-stakes takedowns in and around the Chicagoland area. When she walked away from that work, she went back to her agency and was promoted to sergeant, and the rest of her incredible 29 years in law enforcement. We even talk about a certain serial killer cop with whom she was forced to be partners and briefly interacted socially. Please enjoy this sometimes shocking, fascinating, and genuine interview. In today’s episode, we discuss: · Being an undercover cop with almost no backup or training. · High-stakes narcotics investigations and almost getting her cover blown. · Betsy’s ability to think on her feet and improvise during super-dangerous undercover situations. · Leaving a Chicagoland area drug Taskforce. · Being a sergeant in charge of the K9 unit. · Turning down a promotion to lieutenant. · From 1999 to 2003, Betsy hosted various training programs and was a content expert for the Law Enforcement Television Network (LETN), is currently an on-air commentator and advisor for the Police One Academy. · Being the focus of a police television reality show. Female Forces. · Working with and socializing with wife-killer cop Drew Peterson. · What she sees cops doing right and wrong today. · What is the National Police Association, and your role with them? All of this and more on today’s episode of the Cops and Writers podcast. Head on over to the National Police Association website. Head on over to my website to learn more about me and my books! Check out my newest book! Police Stories: The Rookie Years - True Crime, Chaos & Life as a Big City Cop! What's the craziest thing you saw when you were a cop? My first week on the job, a guy running at me with a butcher knife. He'd just killed his brother over the last hot dog. That's chapter 1. There are 33 more. Police Stories: The Rookie Years just launched - available on Amazon. Search 'Police Stories Patrick O'Donnell' or click th Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Can you imagine being the only female in your police academy class? How about the instructor telling you that you shouldn’t be in the classroom and instead should be giving him a blowjob? Or being a rookie cop and being formally disciplined for egregious violations like failure to take a hint or having your feet too far apart for a female? Resilience and grit. Those are the words that come to mind when I interviewed today’s guest, retired Police Sergeant Betsy Brantner Smith of the Naperville Police Department. These are just some things she had to endure at the beginning of her over 29-year police career. The conclusion of this interview will air next Sunday! A little about Betsy: Betsy Brantner Smith started her career in law enforcement as a dispatcher when she was 17. Four years later, she began a 29-year career in a suburban Chicago department. During her time as a cop and sergeant, she worked undercover in multi-jurisdictional agencies in Chicago and other areas around the city. She was also in charge of the K9 unit, FTO, and various other jobs, including investigations. She wrote the book, The Ten Code: 10 Law Enforcement Principles for Victory in Life: Police Techniques for Personal Achievement. Betsy has also been a dedicated trainer in law enforcement for years. Today, Betsy is the spokesperson for the National Police Association, a non-profit organization focused on supporting law enforcement through education, advocacy, and legal action. Please enjoy this sometimes shocking, fascinating, and genuine interview with someone who endured and overcame, making the lives of future female cops much better. In today’s episode, we discuss: · Will the Bears win the Super Bowl? · Growing up on a farm in Illinois. · Learning her amazing work ethic as a young teen from her parents. · The influence of her father being an auxiliary sheriff's deputy. · She and her dad working together on the local sheriff’s mounted posse. · Why she chose the Naperville PD and not the Chicago PD. · Her senior year in high school becoming a full-time police dispatcher. · Facing shocking discrimination in the police academy and how she dealt with it. · Almost getting fired for trumped-up charges like standing with her feet too far apart for a woman, and failure to take a hint. · Her first day on the job and her first time going out solo on patrol. Head on over to the National Police Association website. Head on over to my website to learn more about me and my books! Check out my newest book! Police Stories: The Rookie Years - True Crime, Chaos & Life as a Big City Cop! What's the craziest thing you saw when you were a cop? My first week on the job, a guy running at me with a butcher knife. He'd just killed his brother over the last hot dog. That's chapter 1. There are 33 more. Police Stories: The Rookie Years just launched - available on Amazon. Search 'Police Stories Patrick O'Donnell' or click th Support the show

Send us Fan Mail With historical shortages in law enforcement, today's departments have to find ways of augmenting positions that were traditionally filled by sworn law enforcement officers. One option is to have civilians working these jobs. On today’s show, we will be highlighting the trend in crime scene investigations being civilianized. Some departments have embraced this a long time ago, having 100% civilians in this role, have a blend of civilian and sworn, or have dug in their heels and refuse to have civilian Crime Scene Investigators. On the show today, I have two Crime Scene Investigators from the Prince George’s County Police Department. William “Bill” Greene, who was hired as one of the first civilian C.S.I.s 42 years ago, and Frank Carson, who served as a sworn law enforcement officer with distinction for 35 years, and after retirement, went back to his department as a civilian C.S.I. Bill and Frank both have incredible pedigrees that would take up most of the hour we have for the show. Frank has worked as a detective, a fatal crash investigator, a C.S.I., and other valuable roles with his department. Bill has a very long list of impressive credentials and 42 years of investigating just about every type of crime imaginable. Please enjoy this conversation with two pros as we map out the future of law enforcement. In today’s episode, we discuss: · Frank rejoins the ranks of the police department as a civilian C.S.I. after a long and distinguished career as a sworn officer. Bill being one of the first civilian C.S.I.’s for the department.· 35mm cameras were used in police work before digital cameras. · The role of C.S.I. at a major crime scene in different departments. · Bill working on the case of the nurse who was suspected of killing at least ten of her patients before being arrested for murder. · Bill working the Len Bias death case. · The book, Never Suck a Dead Man's Hand by Dana Kollmann. · The future of civilians working in law enforcement. All of this and more on today’s episode of the Cops and Writers podcast. Head on over to my website to learn more about me and my books! Check out my newest book! Police Stories: The Rookie Years - True Crime, Chaos & Life as a Big City Cop! What's the craziest thing you saw when you were a cop? My first week on the job, a guy running at me with a butcher knife. He'd just killed his brother over the last hot dog. That's chapter 1. There are 33 more. Police Stories: The Rookie Years just launched - available on Amazon. Search 'Police Stories Patrick O'Donnell' or click th Support the show

Send us Fan Mail In this Last episode of the Cops and Writers Podcast bonus series, retired Milwaukee Police Sergeant Patrick O'Donnell reads Chapter 26, "The Howells vs. Pam From The Office," from his book: Police Stories: The Rookie Years - True Crime, Chaos, & Life as a Big City Cop BIG NEWS: The book launched yesterday and is LIVE NOW on Amazon (Kindle + Paperback). After weeks of heavy stories - triple homicides, kidnappings, dying declarations - tonight's different. It's a snowy Milwaukee night. A head-on collision in the middle of an intersection. A rookie cop who barely knows what he's doing. And three very different people. The Howells - a wealthy couple in a Jaguar XJ12 who looked like they stepped off Gilligan's Island. Thurston, in his expensive suit, Lovey in her full-length fur coat, demanding arrests. Pam - a young woman in a little black dress with piercing green eyes and blood-red lipstick. Fresh from an office Christmas party, now with a four-inch gash on her forehead. And a busybody nurse with a scowl for a facial covering who wanted to be a cop more than Patrick did, armed with a syringe and ready to draw blood. Sometimes being a rookie means pretending you know what you're doing. Even when you're making the sign of the cross with a red pen and calling it a sobriety test. All stories are real. Names and locations have been changed where necessary. 🎧 This episode includes: 📘 About the Book: Police Stories: The Rookie Years - True Crime, Chaos, & Life as a Big City Cop is a true crime memoir chronicling Patrick O'Donnell's early career as a big city cop during Milwaukee's crack wars in the 1990s. Book Launch: LAUNCHED YESTERDAY - LIVE NOW! Book Status: Available on Amazon NOW (Kindle + Paperback). Already climbing the charts. 🔗 Get your copy NOW: Search "Police Stories Patrick O'Donnell" on Amazon or check the link below. 📧 Contact Patrick: Email: sarge@copsandwriters.com Website: copsandwriters.com Facebook Group: Cops and Writers 👍 If this story stuck with you: Subscribe, leave a review, and grab your copy of the book on Amazon. If you read it, please leave an honest review - launch week reviews make a huge difference. 🎙️ This is the FINAL bonus chapter. Next week, we're back to regular programming with guest interviews. Thank you for riding along these past weeks. Visit the Cops & Writers Website! Support the show

Send a text Today’s show will be especially helpful for you writers out there, or if you are curious to see what makes a full-time thriller author tick. On the show today, we have award-winning and bestselling author Nick Petrie, who just released his 9th book in the Peter Ash series, The Dark Time. His first novel, The Drifter, won the ITW Thriller and Barry Awards and was nominated for Edgar, Anthony, and Hammett Awards. He won the 2016 Literary Award from the Wisconsin Library Association and was named one of Apple’s 10 Writers to Read in 2017. Apple Books named Light It Up the Best Thriller of 2018. Both Light It Up and The Wild One were shortlisted for the Barry Award. Lee Child, author of the Jack Reacher novels, said. “Lots of characters get compared to my own Jack Reacher, but Petrie's Peter Ash is the real deal.” Nick is the quindecennial blue-collar author. He has an impeccable work ethic forged with years of working as a carpenter and other trades, which has paved his way to becoming a full-time, bestselling author. Please enjoy my conversation with one of the nicest guys I know in the business, Nick Petrie. In today’s episode, we discuss: · What has changed in the publishing business in the last two years since he released his last book? Luck finds people who show up for work every day. · Artificial Intelligence and the publishing business. · Best marketing practices for authors. · How his former professions and life experiences have helped him in his writing career. · Pros and cons of writing in a series. · His advice for new or newer authors looking to break through. All of this and more on today’s episode of the Cops and Writers podcast. Visit Nick's website to learn more about him and his books. Check out my newest book! Police Stories: The Rookie Years - True Crime, Chaos & Life as a Big City Cop! My first week as a rookie cop, I had to decide whether to pull the trigger on a man running at me with a butcher knife. He'd just killed his brother over the last hot dog. That was my introduction to policing in Milwaukee. From Wall Street Journal-featured author Patrick O'Donnell comes a memoir of rookie years on Milwaukee's streets. Support the show

Send a text In this episode of the Cops and Writers Podcast bonus series, retired Milwaukee Police Sergeant Patrick O'Donnell reads Chapter 14, "Scooby-Doo Where Are You?" from his upcoming book: Police Stories: The Rookie Years - True Crime, Chaos, & Life as a Big City Cop You've probably seen it in movies or TV shows: a cop arrives at a crime scene, a victim is barely clinging to life, and with their final breath, they reveal who killed them. Case closed. Roll credits. Reality is messier. This is a short chapter, but one of the most unforgettable stories in the book. It's about a dying man's last words—and how Patrick can never watch Scooby-Doo the same way again. Jimmy T was one of the genuinely nice cops on the late shift. Five-foot-nine, built like a prizefighter, always had a smile on his face. When he shook Patrick's hand and introduced himself, nobody had ever been that nice to the FNG before. He called Patrick "Paddy" from that night on. They were working plainclothes backup in an unmarked Crown Vic when they heard twenty gunshots ring out. They found a man lying in the middle of the street, steam rising from multiple bullet holes in his chest. The paramedic shook his head 'no'—this guy wasn't going to make it. Patrick needed a dying declaration: "You're going to die. Who killed you?" The man's last words: "Scooby-Doo, Scooby-Doo, shot me!" To this day, Patrick can't watch Scooby-Doo without thinking of that night. All stories are real. Names and locations have been changed where necessary. 🎧 This episode includes: 📘 About the Book: Police Stories: The Rookie Years - True Crime, Chaos, & Life as a Big City Cop is a true crime memoir chronicling Patrick O'Donnell's early career as a big city cop during Milwaukee's crack wars in the 1990s. Book Launch: TUESDAY, March 17, 2026 (St. Patrick's Day!) Book Update: Pre-orders are LIVE on Amazon. The book is currently a #1 New Release in Biographies of Law Enforcement. This is the last bonus chapter episode before launch! 🔗 Pre-order now for $3.99 (price goes up after launch): Search "Police Stories Patrick O'Donnell" on Amazon or check the link below. 📧 Contact Patrick: Email: sarge@copsandwriters.com Website: copsandwriters.com Facebook Group: Cops and Writers 👍 If this story stuck with you: Subscribe, leave a review, and share with someone who thinks dying declarations are just like in the movies. 🎙️ The book launches NEXT TUESDAY, March 17th. This is the last bonus chapter before launch. Thank you for listening to these snippets from the book. Support the show

Send a text Welcome everyone, to the conclusion of my interview with Professor and El Paso County Sheriff’s Department Investigator Jennifer Bucholtz. Jennifer Bucholtz is a former U.S. Army Counterintelligence Agent, and a decorated veteran of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. She holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Northern Arizona University, a master’s degree in criminal justice from the City University of New York’s John Jay College of Criminal Justice, and a master’s degree in forensic science from National University. Ms. Bucholtz has an extensive background in U.S. military and Department of Defense counterintelligence operations. Ms. Bucholtz is currently an adjunct faculty member at AMU and teaches courses in criminal justice and forensic sciences. Additionally, she is a cold case investigator for her local sheriff’s office, host of AMU’s investigative podcast “Break The Case,” and founder of the 501(c)3 nonprofit, Break The Case. Please enjoy this eye-opening and fascinating interview with someone who has done so many incredible things and continues to serve her community. In today’s episode, we discuss: · Meeting Lt. Joe Kenda. · Why is she so interested in cold cases? · The Steven Avery case. · The Rebecca Gould murder. Was her killer a serial killer? All the missteps of the original detectives and how she overcame those errors. · Why does she still communicate with her murderer? · Her company, Break The Case.org. · The Debbie Sue Williamson case. · What is her criteria for taking a case? · Forensic and investigative science has never been better. Why are clearances not keeping up with the science? · What’s in the future of cold cases? DNA keeps getting better, and perhaps using AI as a tool, not a replacement for humans. All of this and more on today’s episode of the Cops and Writers podcast. Visit Break the Case! Visit the Cops & Writers Website! Check out my newest book! Police Stories: The Rookie Years - True Crime, Chaos & Life as a Big City Cop! My first week as a rookie cop, I had to decide whether to pull the trigger on a man running at me with a butcher knife. He'd just killed his brother over the last hot dog. That was my introduction to policing in Milwaukee. From Wall Street Journal-featured author Patrick O'Donnell comes a memoir of rookie years on Milwaukee's streets. Support the show

Send a text In this episode of the Cops and Writers Podcast bonus series, retired Milwaukee Police Sergeant Patrick O'Donnell reads Chapter 33, "A Tale of Two Kidnappings," from his upcoming book: Police Stories: The Rookie Years - True Crime, Chaos, & Life as a Big City Cop With the Nancy Guthrie case dominating headlines, this chapter reveals what kidnapping calls are really like for cops—and the difference between what you see on TV and what actually happens on the streets. Most kidnapping calls are bullshit. But when they're real, every cop drops everything. The first story: One of Patrick's first nights riding solo. A "kidnapping" call that turned out to be a domestic dispute, with an unfortunate twist. The second story: A real kidnapping. A mother duct-taped to a chair, beaten unconscious by her ex in a crack cocaine-fueled rage. Her five-year-old son is missing. Every cop on the shift came together. They weren't going home until they got that child back. All stories are real. Names and locations have been changed where necessary. 🎧 This episode includes: 📘 About the Book: Police Stories: The Rookie Years - True Crime, Chaos, & Life as a Big City Cop is a true crime memoir chronicling Patrick O'Donnell's early career as a big city cop during Milwaukee's crack wars in the 1990s. Book Launch: Coming sooner than you think - stay tuned! Book Update: Pre-orders are LIVE on Amazon. The book is currently a #1 New Release in Biographies of Law Enforcement. 🔗 Pre-order now for $3.99 (price goes up after launch): Search "Police Stories Patrick O'Donnell" on Amazon or check the link below. 📧 Contact Patrick: Email: sarge@copsandwriters.com Website: copsandwriters.com Facebook Group: Cops and Writers 👍 If this story stuck with you: Subscribe, leave a review, and share with someone who wants to know what real kidnapping investigations look like—not the TV version. 🎙️ Next week: Back to regular programming with a guest interview. New chapters from the book continue every Wednesday night. Visit the Cops & Writers Website! Sonnet 4.5 Support the show

Send a text Welcome everyone to part one of my interview with Professor and El Paso County Sheriff’s Department Investigator Jennifer Bucholtz. The conclusion of this interview will air next Sunday! Jennifer Bucholtz is a former U.S. Army Counterintelligence Agent and a decorated veteran of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. She holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Northern Arizona University, a master’s degree in criminal justice from the City University of New York’s John Jay College of Criminal Justice, and a master’s degree in forensic science from National University. Ms. Bucholtz has an extensive background in U.S. military and Department of Defense counterintelligence operations. Ms. Bucholtz is currently an adjunct faculty member at AMU, teaching courses in criminal justice and forensic sciences. Additionally, she is a cold-case investigator for her local sheriff’s office, host of AMU’s investigative podcast “Break The Case,” and founder of the 501(c) (3) nonprofit, Break The Case. Please enjoy this eye opening, and fascinating interview with someone who has done so many incredible things and continues to serve her community. In today’s episode, we discuss: · Jen’s Childhood and influences. · Working as a corrections officer in a maximum-security prison. · Her internship with the New York Medical Examiners' Office. · Her first death case and autopsy. · Joining the army and being a counterintelligence agent. · What it was like interrogating enemies of the United States. · Using science and intuition in her interrogations. · Body language, micro-expressions, and other clues in interrogations. · Her book, There is no GOAT. · People in Afghanistan not knowing about 9/11 or Osama Bin Laden · Post-military life and working as a contractor overseas. · Working for the State Department, teaching Indonesian police. · Being a college professor. · Her interest in cold cases. All of this and more on today’s episode of the Cops and Writers podcast. My first week as a rookie cop, I had to decide whether to pull the trigger on a man running at me with a butcher knife. He'd just killed his brother over the last hot dog. That was my introduction to policing in Milwaukee. From Wall Street Journal-featured author Patrick O'Donnell comes a memoir of rookie years on Milwaukee's streets. Support the show

Send a text In this episode of the Cops and Writers Podcast bonus series, retired Milwaukee Police Sergeant Patrick O'Donnell reads Chapter 32, "Wojo," from his upcoming book: Police Stories: The Rookie Years - True Crime, Chaos, & Life as a Big City Cop There were characters on the job who should have been stand-up comedians. Wojo was one of those guys. But one morning at 7:00 AM, Wojo got serious. A man barricaded himself in an apartment with a rifle pointed at his five-year-old son's head. SWAT was on the way. Hours of negotiation loomed. The way Wojo negotiated with the suspect was unorthodox but effective. All stories are real. Names and locations have been changed where necessary. 🎧 This episode includes: 📘 About the Book: Police Stories: The Rookie Years - True Crime, Chaos, & Life as a Big City Cop is a true crime memoir chronicling Patrick O'Donnell's early career as a big city cop during Milwaukee's crack wars in the 1990s. Book Release: Mid-March 2026 Book Update: Pre-orders are LIVE on Amazon. The book is currently a #1 New Release in Biographies of Law Enforcement. 🔗 Pre-order now for $3.99 (price goes up after launch): Search "Police Stories Patrick O'Donnell" on Amazon or check the link below. 📧 Contact Patrick: Email: sarge@copsandwriters.com Website: copsandwriters.com Facebook Group: Cops and Writers 👍 If this story stuck with you: Subscribe, leave a review, and share with someone who can handle the truth about what cops see behind the badge. 🎙️ Next week: We're back to regular programming with a guest interview. New chapters every Wednesday night. Visit the Cops & Writers website! Support the show

Send a text Welcome everyone as we travel to the city of brotherly love and Rocky, Philadelphia. Today on the show, we have former Philadelphia warrant squad member Tristin Kilgallon. Tristin grew up in Philadelphia and started his career in law enforcement with the city’s Warrant Unit, tracking fugitives and working the tough streets of Philly. Tristin later moved to Ohio to attend law school, earning a JD and LLM. Tristin went on to teach pre-law and criminal justice for more than a decade before joining LexisNexis, where he now works in the legal tech industry, helping law firms adopt AI-driven tools. He’s also the co-author of Philly Warrant Unit, a true-crime memoir about his time working fugitive apprehension in Philadelphia. Please enjoy this fun interview about a unique and small crime-fighting unit that had a large impact on crime, which no longer exists. In today’s episode, we discuss: · Growing up in the rough part of Philly. · Where and how Tristin got interested in law enforcement. · What led him to the Philly Warrant Unit, and why he didn’t pursue a career with the Philly Police. · Did his investigations ever conflict with the local PD, state, or feds? · How they picked which warrants to execute. · Knock vs. No-Knock Warrants. · The difference between a search/arrest warrant. · The prostitute calling the police on herself. · Meeting Sylvester Stallone. · Why he went into a teaching career. All of this and more on today’s episode of the Cops and Writers podcast. Check out the Philly Warrant Unit Facebook page. Visit the Cops & Writers Website! Check out my newest book! Police Stories: The Rookie Years - True Crime, Chaos & Life as a Big City Cop! Support the show

Send a text In this episode of the Cops and Writers Podcast bonus series, retired Milwaukee Police Sergeant Patrick O'Donnell reads Chapter 31, "All-City Assist," from his upcoming book: Police Stories: The Rookie Years - True Crime, Chaos, & Life as a Big City Cop Rachel and Patrick are processing a routine arrest at District Five when the radio crackles to life: "245B, they're shooting at us! Send us more squads!" It's Grace—Rachel's old partner—getting shot at in a gangway next to the Blues Oasis Tavern. The dispatcher opens the channel citywide: "Any squad, assist the officers. They are taking gunfire." An all-city assist. Every cop drops everything and responds. When Rachel and Patrick arrive, they find three dead bodies, cops returning fire in a gangway, and a suspect shooting at officers with a .357 Magnum. Inside the tavern, they clear a dark basement not knowing if someone is waiting to shoot them. When they come back upstairs, Patrick looks down and sees a sea of bullet casings—more than he'd ever seen in 25 years. Three people are dead. Cops were almost killed. And a short blurb on the evening news. All stories are real. Names and locations have been changed where necessary. ⚠️ CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains graphic descriptions of violence, active shooter scenarios, and multiple deaths. Listener discretion is strongly advised. 🎧 This episode includes: 📘 About the Book: Police Stories: The Rookie Years - True Crime, Chaos, & Life as a Big City Cop is a true crime memoir chronicling Patrick O'Donnell's early career as a big city cop during Milwaukee's crack wars in the 1990s. Book Release: Mid-March 2026 Book Update: The manuscript is with the editor! Pre-orders are LIVE on Amazon. The book is currently a #1 New Release in the Biographies of Law Enforcement category. 🔗 Pre-order now: Search "Police Stories: The Rookie Years Patrick O'Donnell" on Amazon or check the link below. 📧 Contact Patrick: Email: sarge@copsandwriters.com Website: copsandwriters.com Facebook Group: Cops and Writers 👍 If this story stuck with you: Subscribe, leave a review, and share with someone who can handle the truth about what cops see behind the badge. New chapters every Wednesday night. Visit the Cops & Writers Website! Support the show

Send a text Welcome back everyone for the conclusion to my interview with retired Central Florida Sheriff Deputy Michael Dilks. Mike is a retired Deputy Sheriff and Police Officer with 23 years with experience in patrol, investigations, and undercover narcotics. Mike was a member of SWAT, the United States Marshals Fugitive Task Force, the DEA Narcotics Task Force and supervised a Street Crimes Unit. Prior to his law enforcement career, Mike served three years in the United States Army as an Airborne Infantryman. Michael is the mastermind behind the highly successful and controversial meme page @CopvilleOG and the Lock’d Up with Copville Podcast. Michael is also the co-host and co-owner of The Anti-Hero Broadcast. Mike was involved in and was 100% invested in his career, especially doing undercover narcotics work, and it cost him his marriage and sobriety. Mike’s personal rock bottom, that included being the focus of an FBI investigation and his best friend and Sheriff turning his back on him. He rose above all of it and has turned his energy into a successful podcast and creative content career. Please enjoy this eye opening, and informative interview with someone who has risen from the ashes. In today’s episode, we discuss: · The bitter end to his law enforcement career. · His wife and daughter working for the crocked Sheriff who forced him to retire. · What can be done to retore law enforcement today? · What real community policing looks like. · Cops fall in love with the job and don’t know what to do when the job doesn’t love them back. · Where his entrepreneurial spirit came from. · Copville, The Antihero Podcast, and other businesses. How he balance’s work and family? · The Antihero broadcast. · Mike has been exposed to a lot of good and bad stuff. Has it pushed him away or towards God or a higher power? All of this and more on today’s episode of the Cops and Writers podcast. Connect with Michael Dilks: Instagram: @copvilleog Podcast Instagram: @the_antihero_podcast Website: www.copvilleog.com YouTube: / @copvilleog Visit the Cops & Writers Website! Check out my newest book! Police Stories: The Rookie Years - True Crime, Chaos & Life as a Big City Cop! Support the show

Send a text In this episode of the Cops and Writers Podcast bonus series, retired Milwaukee Police Sergeant Patrick O'Donnell reads Chapter 28, "Wow! That's Realistic!" from his upcoming book: Police Stories: The Rookie Years - True Crime, Chaos, & Life as a Big City Cop It's 2:00 AM at District Five. Patrick and his partner Rachel are processing an arrest when a bloodcurdling scream echoes from the front lobby: "Help! He's been shot!" What they find is a dead body with a gunshot wound to the head, a grieving girlfriend, and—behind the victim—District Five's crime prevention display: a casket surrounded by yellow crime scene tape for Police Week. Hours later, after the body is removed, but the blood remains, the captain walks through and delivers the perfect line: "Damn, that is one realistic crime scene display!" All stories are real. Names and locations have been changed where necessary. 🎧 This episode includes: 📘 About the Book: Police Stories: The Rookie Years - True Crime, Chaos, & Life as a Big City Cop is a true crime memoir chronicling Patrick O'Donnell's early career as a big city cop during Milwaukee's crack wars in the 1990s. Book Release: Mid-March 2026 Book Update: The manuscript is with the editor! Pre-orders are LIVE on Amazon. The book is currently a #1 New Release in the Biographies of Law Enforcement category. 🔗 Pre-order now: Search "Police Stories: The Rookie Years Patrick O'Donnell" on Amazon or check the link below. 📧 Contact Patrick: Email: sarge@copsandwriters.com Website: copsandwriters.com Facebook Group: Cops and Writers 👍 If this story stuck with you: Subscribe, leave a review, and share with someone who can handle the truth about what cops see behind the badge. 🎙️ Next week: Chapter 31, "All-City Assist" - Three dead bodies, cops taking fire, and a sea of bullet casings at the Blues Oasis. The most intense chapter in the book. New chapters every Wednesday night. Visit the Cops & Writers Website! Support the show

Send us a text Welcome, everyone to part one of my interview with retired Central Florida Sheriff's Deputy Michael Dilks. The conclusion of this interview will air next Sunday! Mike is a retired Deputy Sheriff and Police Officer with 23 years of experience in patrol, investigations, and undercover narcotics. Mike was a member of SWAT, the United States Marshals Fugitive Task Force, the DEA Narcotics Task Force and supervised a Street Crimes Unit. Prior to his law enforcement career, Mike served three years in the United States Army as an Airborne Infantryman. Michael is the mastermind behind the highly successful and controversial meme page @CopvilleOG and the Lock’d Up with Copville Podcast. Michael is also the co-host and co-owner of The Anti-Hero Broadcast. Mike was involved in and was 100% invested in his career, especially doing undercover narcotics work, and it cost him his marriage and sobriety. Mike’s personal rock bottom, which included being the focus of an FBI investigation and his best friend and the sheriff turning his back on him. He rose above all of it and has turned his energy into a successful podcast and creative content career. Please enjoy this eye-opening and informative interview with someone who has risen from the ashes. In today’s episode, we discuss: · Where and how he got interested in law enforcement. · His time in the United States Army. · Being on the SWAT team. · Being assigned to a DEA task force. · Going undercover as a narcotics officer. · Having a dirty cop as a boss. · Being married to the job, not his wife. · Hitting rock bottom, abusing alcohol, and a negative lifestyle. · Being accused of working with drug dealers! · Being the focus of an FBI investigation and having his phone tapped. · The sheriff, also his best friend, turned his back on him. All of this and more on today’s episode of the Cops and Writers podcast. Connect with Michael Dilks: Instagram: @copvilleog Podcast Instagram: @the_antihero_podcast Website: www.copvilleog.com YouTube: / @copvilleog Visit the Cops & Writers Website! Support the show

Send us a text In this episode of the Cops and Writers Podcast, retired Milwaukee Police Sergeant Patrick O'Donnell reads Chapter 18, Cannibal Dad, from his upcoming book: Police Stories: The Rookie Years - True Crime, Chaos, & Life as a Big City Cop Fresh off probation and officially a "real cop," Patrick rides for the first time without a senior officer alongside his academy classmate, Tommie. What starts as an exciting milestone—two rookies on top of the world—turns into one of the most disturbing calls of Patrick's twenty-five-year career when they respond to a family trouble call at 7:00 AM. All stories are real. Names and locations have been changed where necessary. ⚠️ CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains graphic descriptions of violence involving a father and daughter. Listener discretion is strongly advised. 🎧 This episode includes: 📘 About the Book: Police Stories: The Rookie Years - True Crime, Chaos, & Life as a Big City Cop is a true crime memoir chronicling Patrick O'Donnell's early career as a big city cop during Milwaukee's crack wars in the 1990s. Book release: March 2026 Book Update: The introduction and book description are complete! We're on track for the March 2026 launch. Subscribe to be notified when pre-orders go live. 📧 Contact Patrick: Email: sarge@copsandwriters.com Website: copsandwriters.com Facebook Group: Cops and Writers 👍 If this story stuck with you: Subscribe, leave a review, and share with someone who can handle the truth about what cops see behind the badge. 🎙️ New chapters every Wednesday night. Visit the Cops & Writers Website! Support the show

Send us a text What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas? Not today. Welcome back, everyone, to the conclusion of my interview with retired Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Sergeant Jenn Benjamins. Jenn Benjamins is a retired sergeant from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department with nearly 22 years of real-world experience in patrol, case investigations, and covert/undercover operations. Her interest in undercover work led her to the Vice Section, where she refused to be limited by traditional expectations. While excelling in female undercover roles, Jenn was determined - and succeeded - in working undercover alongside her male counterparts. She developed a specialized training program within the Vice Section, implemented policy, and conducted department-wide training on vice crimes and related laws. Throughout her career, Jenn worked a wide variety of undercover assignments throughout Las Vegas, collaborating not only with specialized units such as narcotics but also with federal partners, including the ATF, DEA, and FBI. Recognizing a critical need, Jenn founded Covert Blue, where she makes it her mission to provide specialized training for women in undercover roles - programs that build technical expertise while also addressing the unique dynamics and challenges women face in the field. Please enjoy this very real and informative interview with someone who has lived a life that is found more often in movies and books. Vegas baby! In today’s episode, we discuss: · How long did she work in Vice as a cop and sergeant doing UC work? · Where did these prostitutes come from? · What’s a trick roll? · What’s the difference between a carpet ho and a renegade ho? · The most memorable arrests or situations she had during her career? · Your company Covert Blue LLC, why start this and who is it for? · The personal toll that working vice takes on a cop. · Best advice for someone who wants to work as an undercover cop. All of this and more on today’s episode of the Cops and Writers podcast. Check out Jenn's website! Visit the Cops & Writers Website! Support the show