Blue Grit Podcast: The Voice of Texas Law Enforcement

Send us Fan Mail Discover the hidden power of local associations and the art of political networking with Charles DuVall, president of the Williamson County Deputies Association. In this episode, Charles shares his journey from gunsmithing school to the Sheriff's Office and the unique political landscapes he navigated at the Denver Sheriff's Office and the Austin Police Department. He re...

Send us Fan Mail Get ready for an engaging episode of our podcast as we welcome patrol officer Zane Daniel, who shares a riveting tale that was once cut short due to technical glitches. Zane takes us on a journey, discussing a major incident that he faced on his first night back from the 2020 Thanksgiving holiday. During our conversation, we tackle the much-debated topic of whether a college degre...

Send us Fan Mail Join us for Part 2 of "Marine One"  with Robert Darling, a retired US Marine Corps officer. He shares his insights on life, leadership, and service, drawing from his experiences as a Marine One Pilot, including training, handling a Cobra helicopter, and working in the Air Mobility Command. Bob also offers lessons on leadership and the influence of his military career. Jo...

Send us Fan Mail Join us on an inspiring journey with Robert Darling, a retired US Marine Corps officer. He shares his insights on life, leadership, and service, drawing from his experiences as a Marine One Pilot, including training, handling a Cobra helicopter, and working in the Air Mobility Command. Bob also offers lessons on leadership and the influence of his military career. Join us for his...

Send us Fan Mail Lieutenant Dan Colasanto takes us on an incredible journey, sharing insights from his early days in New York to his impactful career in the Garland Police Department and the Texas Tactical Police Officers Association. As a West Point graduate, he highlights the discipline and skills he gained at the military academy and how they helped him in high-pressure situations in law enforc...

Send us Fan Mail In this captivating episode, law enforcement veteran Waymon Lewis shares his life journey with us, starting from his upbringing in Lampasses, Texas, to his time in the Police Academy during the 1960s, and his experiences on patrol. Waymon's account of the UT Tower shooting in Austin is particularly gripping, as he narrates the terrifying sequence of events that transpired tha...

Send us Fan Mail Don't miss out on the latest episode of the Blue Grit podcast featuring Bexar County District Attorney Joe Gonzales. He answers tough questions about his support for law enforcement despite facing calls for his resignation from department heads. This is a must-listen episode that sheds light on the challenges faced by those in law enforcement and the importance of standing be...

Send us Fan Mail Part 2 of Aaron Slater's inspiring journey.  If you're looking for an inspiring story of resilience and determination, look no further than Aaron Slater, the mastermind behind Relentless Defender Apparel. Despite starting as a high school dropout, Aaron went on to become a legend in the Texas law enforcement community. In a candid conversation, Aaron shares his origin st...

Send us Fan Mail If you're looking for an inspiring story of resilience and determination, look no further than Aaron Slater, the mastermind behind Relentless Defender Apparel. Despite starting as a high school dropout, Aaron went on to become a legend in the Texas law enforcement community. In a candid conversation, Aaron shares his origin story and emphasizes the importance of officers bein...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Blue Grit Podcast,  we were honored to have Gabriel Fells, a Beaumont Police Officer, as our special guest. Fells shares his experience of losing his partner, Officer Sheena Dae Yarbrough-Powell, in 2020. His story is powerful and inspiring, shedding light on the emotional and mental toll of the aftermath of a line-of-duty death. Fells speaks candidly about...

Send us Fan Mail Come along for an exciting episode as we have the privilege of sitting down with Banning Sweatland, a law enforcement officer with the Jack County Sheriff's Department. Banning takes us on a captivating journey from his birthplace in Waco, Texas, to attending an astonishing 23 different schools while living in England. We delve into his military and law enforcement career, wh...

Send us Fan Mail Ever thought a grocery store worker could become a seasoned financial expert? We sat down with Nick Daugherty, who took a detour through law enforcement and high school trip sales before he landed in the world of finance. Nick's journey is packed with funny and insightful tales that will keep you glued to your headphones.  Nick openly shares his financial struggles as a rooki...

Send us Fan Mail Part 2 of Retired Texas Ranger John Vance! Support the show email us at- bluegrit@tmpa.org

Send us Fan Mail Prepare yourself for an incredible adventure alongside Retired Texas Ranger John Vance. The way he recounts his story is so vivid, you'll feel as if you're right by his side, experiencing the gritty dust on your cheeks and the warm sun on your hat. John's journey from being a simple horseshoer in Orange, Texas to becoming an esteemed Texas Ranger is nothing short of...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered what goes on behind those stoic faces in blue? Well, that's precisely what we're peeling back in this episode with our esteemed guest, Joe King, host of the Dallas ATO Bridging the Divide Podcast. As a born-and-bred Texan and a passionate advocate of law enforcement,  Joe shares his journey, and we plunge into the heart of Southeast Dallas, the epicenter of...

Send us Fan Mail TMPA Executive Director Kevin Lawrence and Attorney Ron DeLord join the show for round 2 of "The Godfathers." Check it out; you won't be disappointed.  Support the show email us at- bluegrit@tmpa.org

Send us Fan Mail Come and join us as we embark on a fascinating journey into the world of law enforcement training and grants. Our special guest, Katie Alexander, will guide us through the crucial role played by Law Enforcement Liaisons in Texas. These liaisons are a vital link between law enforcement agencies and the community, supporting data-driven decision-making. This episode is packed with s...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we hear from John Wilkerson, a member of the Government Affairs team at TMPA, as he discusses the 88th Legislative Session at the Texas state capitol. Ever wondered how a bill gets born and its journey thereafter? Or how a simple amendment can drastically alter the scope of a bill? With his rich experience, John walks us through his journey from being a field rep...

Send us Fan Mail Remember what it's like to be the new kid on the block? That's how our guests, Kevin Lawrence (Executive Director of TMPA) and Ron, felt when they first stepped into the world of Texas law enforcement, facing down challenges from not being old enough to buy their own bullets to learning the penal code in a matter of weeks. We're taking you on a journey into the deep...

Send us Fan Mail Get ready for an enlightening journey that tracks the fascinating path of Bob Gorsky, the longest-serving TMPA attorney. Picture a young man in Kenmore, New York, who majors in sociology and eventually aligns himself with the powerful field of law enforcement representation. Bob's story spans over 48 years and narrates a tale of evolution, resolve, and constant learning. As w...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, the Blue Grit team has on Tommy Capell, the founder of Saving a Hero's Place. This organization creates personalized chairs that are placed in police departments all over the country and serve as a tribute to fallen police officers and their families. The chairs are a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by these brave heroes and provide a sense of comfor...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we get to hear from TMPA President Joe Tovar about his life journey and experiences in law enforcement. He shares his insights on leadership  and what led him to join the state board. Throughout the episode, Joe also shares heartwarming stories that have deeply impacted his life and others, offering a glimpse into the emotional side of law enforcement. He touches...

Send us Fan Mail Oh boy, do we have a treat for you today! We've been shooting the breeze (pun intended) with none other than Mike from Sons of Liberty Gunworks, the rising powerhouse in the rifle industry. He takes us on his journey from being a small-town boy with a love for firearms, to being the founder of a company known for producing endurance duty rifles. In a riveting conversation, we...

Send us Fan Mail How often do we witness pure resilience and the power of the human spirit? Join us as we hear Corporal Claudia Cormier's inspiring story of her journey in law enforcement, from Texas State University to her role at the San Marcos Police Department. Growing up in Laredo, Texas, then moving to the town she now calls home, Claudia's experiences bring a unique perspective on...

Send us Fan Mail Atascosa County Sheriff David Soward and Jourdanton Police Chief Eric Kaiser share their story about the 2022 deadly shootout involving the highly publicized prison escapee Gonzalo Lopez. Lopez, who had been on the run for 18 days in Leon County, had brutally murdered a family of 5 before fleeing into Atascosa County. It is definitely an interesting episode.  Support the show emai...