ATO: BRIDGING THE DIVIDE

We are honored to continue hosting out of town guests with Kansas DPS Superintendent, Erik Smith. Erik Smith’s journey into public service began in 1991 behind the headset of a dispatcher in south-central Kansas, where every call for help reinforced the weight of responsibility and the value of calm under pressure. In 1993, he stepped into the streets as a deputy with the Sedgwick County Sheriff's...

Today we are honored to give the stage to DCAC Dianna Walsh Smoot, the daughter of trailblazing Dallas Police Lt Bill Walsh. For thirty-five years, the Dallas Children's Advocacy Center has stood as a guardian for society's most vulnerable victims, serving as a steadfast bulwark against the darkness of child abuse and neglect. Through compassion, advocacy, and an unwavering commitment to justice,...

Every badge carries a story, but few careers have traveled the path of Chief Clay Morris. In this episode, we sit down with the Chief of Police of Hoover, Alabama, and journey through a life dedicated to service, sacrifice, and leadership. Raised in a family steeped in law enforcement tradition, Morris joined the DEA in 1995 and was soon sent to the streets of Dallas, Texas, where the war on drugs...

This is a special bonus episode as we say goodbye to our incredible friend and co creator of the show Danny Canete #8834. I wanted Danny, and the listeners to get to hear what some of the many people said about getting to work with Danny and share this wild life and career at Dallas PD. I am a big believer in that your reputation isn’t what you think of yourself but what others think of you and ho...

Since being hired by the Dallas Police Department in 1985, Officer Jon Lumbley has dedicated his life to serving people in their darkest moments. From helping victims of family violence find safety, strength, and hope, to now standing beside the families of fallen officers as they face unimaginable grief, his career has never been about recognition — it has been about compassion. For decades, he h...

In memory of Terry Bacon 1950-2015 Today we welcome Mark Bacon back to the show to finally tell his story. We last heard from Mark in episode 127, as we talked about our time together on the South East CRT, but this story puts the spotlight squarely on a very private man’s life. I have personally wanted to do his episode for years, but Mark being Mark, did not want to come on to talk about himself...

We are back for another Geaux Time with the Chief and we want to recap Chief’s first year at the helm of the ninth largest Police Department in the United States. Chief talks about the many proactive operations: Operation Justice Trail Operation Clean Sweep Operation Safe Streets New Investigative Warrant Unit Hot Team Recruiting boom Sit back and listen to Chief Comeaux reflect back on year one i...

Finally, we have talked long time show cohost Kent Wolverton to sit in the hot seat to talk about his life and career. You have heard him for years now give small peeks into his life, offer wise cracks, and hint at some struggles in his life and career. This episode will have a much deeper look at who Kent Wolverton is as a person, professional, and friend. He walks us through the beginning of his...

Sitting down with Dallas Child Abuse detective Kristen King, we hear a story that begins in instability but unfolds into purpose. Growing up in an unpredictable and difficult home, she learned early what it felt like to live without safety or certainty. Instead of letting that past define her limits, she allowed it to shape her mission. Today, she channels that lived experience into fierce advocac...

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...