ATO: BRIDGING THE DIVIDE

We are honored to sit down with retired Dallas Homicide Detective Linda Erwin as she takes us down the aisles of history in the city and the department. Linda Erwin didn’t just enter the homicide division of the Dallas Police Department — she changed it forever. As the first woman in Dallas history to earn a place among its homicide detectives, she stepped across a line few believed a woman could...

Today we are proud to sit down with one of QT’s dedicated members, James Lollis, to talk about the organizations mission in giving back to the community. Special guest cohost, Dallas Assistant Chief Jeremy Foy and ATO Chairman Joe Meno. The Assist the Officer Foundation and the Dallas Police Department have partnered with Qt with one goal in mind: Making the Dallas Police the Department the best a...

Today’s episode takes the listener back to our original mission in cultivating an environment to have the tough conversations that could inspires others to get help. The marital partnership of Haley and Silver and their story is a true testament to companionship and resiliency as they both navigated the struggles of their relationship and the effects alcohol can take on a mind, body, and soul. Joi...

Today we sit down with the Dallas Chief of Police for another episode, but this one comes with two special cohosts to guide this story. Class 406 recruits, Jeremy Delafuente and Casandra Palmer join Chief Comeaux to discuss their short time with the Department and what it means to them to be the future of the profession. Casandra, growing up in Miami, did her research on where to serve and ultimat...

Today’s episode is very special to the podcast team as it lets us revisit some of the most fun and memorable times in our careers as we turned a little drug team into a family that created lifelong friends. In 2010, Chief Brown, began an initiative that mandated all seven patrol substations in Dallas to create a street level knock and talk unit that had one mission, to curb the division level narc...

We finally got em! Danny cocreated the show and quite frankly our product would not be near the quality what it is without Danny and his many talents. We wanted to make 100 special, and I believe we surpassed any expectations I had. Enjoy our Final Revisited episode.   **** Trigger Warning Alert**** Episode 100 was always going to be a special episode for our show but when I got today’s guest to f...

This revisit is one of my personal projects that I had wanted to get out for the listener for quite some time and to see it all put together was something I will always cherish. This episode has been a project since this show began as we finally tell the story of the attack on Dallas Police Headquarters on June 13th, 2015. At approximately 12:30 am a suspect, driving an armored van, drove to polic...

“Trust God, Clean House, Serve Others”  The Assist the Officer Foundation sits down with an incredibly accomplished and unique individual today in Sgt. Andre Taylor of Dallas SWAT. As Dre grew up in the South side of Chicago, he regularly witnessed acts of violence but also witnessed an incredible community and family as his mother was ever present in his upbringing ensuring he didn’t fall prey to...

This is #4 in our revisited series as we talk about the circumstances regarding “Riggs” episode as he speaks extremely candidly and open as we tackle the difficult subject of suicide. This is an epidemic in the first responder community and conversations like these can never cease. You are enough and people are in your life for a reason…..   This show will never shy away from having the difficult...

This is #5 in our Revisited series as we discuss the Penton episode. This episode was one of the most emotional stories we have released. This is a behind the scenes on how the show idea came about and on the hosts personal takes on this shows impact.   "Always come home". This is the story of a young Dallas Officer who had ambitions of fighting crime, serving the city and starting a new family. M...

This is a behind the scenes peek at the Great Alan Holmes episode as he was our shows first Detective from the Crimes Against Persons Division. Since the show we have received so much great feedback and made new connections from people that the episode resonated with them for different reasons. ”Show me the survivor, I’ll show you the suspect “ IN 1887 SIR ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE INTRODUCED THE WORLDS...

“The Rolodex” ATO Family please welcome one of our blue family members that has traveled over 800 miles to take the stage for the listeners. Nearly a year ago the ATO received a heartfelt message of gratitude, and it formed a new friendship many states away. This rollercoaster of a story will touch on many topics and have many emotions but when we get to the “Never Give Up on You” exit music the l...

Shelby Houston In Memory of Richard Houston On December 3rd, 2021, Richard Houston, a 21-year Mesquite PD veteran, answered a domestic disturbance call and tragic events unfolded and he did not make it home that night. Being a family member or a friend of a first responder can be very rewarding as you have a front row seat of a true servant, a role model, and a hero. However tragedy can watch from...

This is #9 in our BTD Revisited series with the Great Matt Banes. We chose his second episode, Episode 6 Facing the Dragon, but we detail the several episodes Matt has been on for his own or as a cohost. Facing the Dragon  Continuation of Dallas Police Detective Matt Banes as he discusses 7/7/2016 in Dallas, Texas and his actions as he responded to the active scene as a member of Dallas SWAT that...

This is our first release, #10, in the reloaded series as we give the listener a behind the curtain peek at some of our older episode’s stories. Every episode has its own unique story that goes beyond the final cut of the show we release and these reloaded episodes will tell some of these stories. Enjoy……… Former Dallas Police Homicide Detective Elmer “Sonny” Boyd badge #840.  Sonny started DPD in...

 “ If you’re not willing to fail, you’ll never succeed.” We are very honored to sit with today’s guest with a message from a true innovator, leader, and inspiring figure. Salim Asrawi, the co-founder and President of Texas de Brazil, immigrated to the United States at the age of 14. He left Lebanon to come to America in search of the American Dream and after years of working his way through hospit...

As we finish out the year and are in the holiday season, we felt it was fitting to release a unique story of one of our own, Chris Langlois.  Chris is a veteran member of the Dallas Police Department and serves the citizens of Dallas but also has a life mission in honoring his grandfather and those who sacrificed so much to give this country the many liberties we all enjoy today. In 2001 HBO, Spie...

What a gift it is for this show to be able to sit down, again, with Crystal to update the listener on her growth and her journey. We presented her episode in 2022, and we learned about her life, joining the Dallas Police Department, and about that horrific day in April of 2018. A lot has happened since that episode, and our mics will always be open for this incredible warrior to continue her inspi...

The Assist the Officer Foundation welcomes Dallas Police Chief Daniel Comeaux back to the mic to remind everyone that Dallas PD is the most proactive Department in the nation. Chief updates us on some new projects and initiatives and wanted to touch on some recent decisions he made and why he will always make his Department and the community they serve the top priority. We Are Dallas! #operationju...

It is an honor to sit down with retired Phoenix PD Detective Janicik EdD to discuss her life, career and a topic we cannot have enough education on, crimes against women. We will talk about how she turned personal tragedy into protecting women by raising awareness and educating on how these predators work and target women. Through her work in research, academia, and professional training, Cindy su...

Today we chat with the great Mike Wagers, Chief Customer Officer of Axon, to talk about the history of the global leader in public safety technology…the every growing company known as Axon. Mike walks us through the company’s history, from its roots in 1993, to now becoming the standard in law enforcement technology. In 1993, Founder Rick Smith, had a vision to reduce gun violence and prevent crim...

"Tough Times Don't Last, Tough People Do" We are honored to sit down with recently retired DFD Lt John Hampton as he wrapped up an amazing 25-year career. Growing up in Maryland, the son of a fireman, Lt Hampton knew he would go into a life of service as he entered the Army and joined the historic 82ndABN. After seeing combat action and developing his unique, hard-nosed leadership style he decided...

Today we sit down with former Arapahoe Deputy Sheriff and current Douglas County Sheriff in Colorado, and we discuss the epidemic of school shootings in America. We also want to stress the growing need for our schools to have resource officers in schools to protect what matters most to us….the children. James was on campus, as the SRO, at the Arapahoe High School on December 13th, 2013, when a dis...

Today we will hear from a name that has been mentioned in some recent episodes but has never been on the show to tell his story. The time has come to sit down with retired DEA Special Agent in Charge David Downing. Mr. Downing entered on duty with the DEA in 1995 as a member of Basic Agent Class 95. After graduating the academy in Quantico, Virginia, Mr. Downing served in various roles within DEA...

Today we unveil a new series of conversations we will have with Dallas Police Chief Daniel Comeaux as we provide a platform for our Chief to deliver a message. Today’s conversation will cover his approach to leadership philosophy and expectations for the Dallas Police Department and its leaders. This is a very candid conversation on his recent promotions and how the selection process went and cons...