Brian Parker
Choir Practice Podcast
First Responders, and Public Servants, share the most extraordinary experiences from their careers. Here on Choir Practice our mission is to preserve our guests personal legacies for friends and family, sharing their stories for anyone who might be curious or interested in a career in public service.
Author
Brian Parker
Category
Podcast website
Latest episode
Jul 8, 2026
Where to listen?
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Episodes
Jim Brown (Warrensville Heights Detective Lt; Hudson, OH Chief of Police; Phoenix, AZ Asst. Chief Transit Public Safety; Marana, AZ Police Background Investigator 23.07.2025 1:06:09
Send us Fan Mail Jim's inspiration into law enforcement began when local police and fire were called to his Grandparent's home in Warrensville Heights, OH. Years later, he went on to ride with the same officer who responded that fateful day, while he served as a reserve officer until he was old enough apply. Hired in 1977, his career began and he never looked back. Because he was able to...
Catherine Petropoulos (Retired Pima County Sheriff's Department- Corrections, Deputy and Civilian Admin) 16.07.2025 2:43:38
Send us Fan Mail Catherine's Father was on the Sheriff's Department which inspired her to begin her career at 18! She started in the jail and promoted to Deputy as soon as she turned 21. Her experiences, much like all first responders and corrections officers, are on the fringe of what "Normal" folks could imagine. The shenanigans begin as she starts her career on the streets....
Keith "Croc" McCrocklin (Retired Tucson Police Officer) 09.07.2025 3:22:15
Send us Fan Mail Keith grew up running from the law, getting in trouble, running off to Bible College only to find himself working in Juvenile Probation which led to his career at the Tucson Police Department. He worked Operations Division East, holding the rank of Lead Police Officer for many years... But if you have been listening for any length of time you'll know that this job weighs on e...
Choir Practice Squad Member Tribute (Retired Pima County Deputy Matt Lynn) 02.07.2025 4:15:06
Send us Fan Mail I've been following Matt's medical updates on FB, thanks to his wife, and I wanted him to know he is on my mind. Please, if you believe in God, or whatever your belief system, send good thoughts and prayers Matt's way!!! Since it is a holiday week, I thought there was no better way to lift up a brother than to air his episode again... Episode 50- "Here's a...
Bill Cummings (USAF, Retired Maryland State Police) 25.06.2025 2:38:16
Send us Fan Mail Bill Cummings was introduced to me by Retired Tucson Police Lieutenant, and Choir Practice Squad member, Bart Rohr. He is a United States Air Force Veteran, and Retired Maryland State Police Sergeant. He was hired in Maryland as a dispatcher, but was given a leave of absence to join the Air Force. When he returned, he went back to dispatching for a few months until he was promoted...
Robbie Mayer "Attorney at Law" (Retired Maricopa County Prosecutor) 18.06.2025 2:19:43
Send us Fan Mail When Robbie graced us last time we made it through his 21 year career as a Deputy Sheriff. After retirement, he finished law school and began his second career as a prosecutor in Maricopa County. Serial burglary rings, serial bank robbers, a disgraced police officer turned bank robber...you gotta hear the tales! Turn it up, enjoy the show! Come see me on Facebook at https://www.f...
Tyke Manoleas (US Marine, AZ Dept of Corrections, Pima County Jail, Retired Pima County Sheriff's Lieutenant) 11.06.2025 3:17:03
Send us Fan Mail It was so good to catch up with Tyke. We chatted for about three hours before we started recording. Our friendship goes back to 1996 or 1997! We carpooled to the jail together. His career in public service began with the USMC, deploying to Iraq in the first Desert Storm. Once back in the states, and leaving the Corp, he had to find employment and saw an ad for the Arizona Departme...
Roger Vanderpool (US Army Military police, Goshen, IN. Police, Retired AZ DPS Lieutenant, Pinal County Sheriff, AZ DPS Director) 04.06.2025 3:45:32
Send us Fan Mail Like so many of my guests, Roger has lived many lives in one lifetime! And the positions he's held, the opportunities to serve, are very honorable. He began public service by joining the Army. He left the Army and was hired by the Chief of Goshen Police Department. After about 5 years, he headed West for better weather and to be closer to family. Hired by the Arizona Departme...
Lou Canales (US Navy Veteran, Group Facilitator of Operation Eternal Freedom) 28.05.2025 1:42:14
Send us Fan Mail Lou has been mentioned by Kurt Dabb a few times. Nothing brings you closer to peace than being choked out by your Brazilian Jui Jitsu brothers and sisters! He's a Navy Veteran who came to know many of the first responder community through BJJ. He felt a tugging on his heart to take it a step further and start to work on hearts and minds and well as the physical fitness aspec...
Dave Thomas Part 2 "The rest of the Story" (Retired Pima County Sgt) 21.05.2025 2:57:27
Send us Fan Mail As promised, in consecutive weeks, good ol Dave Thomas is back and we chat about his stint in Homicide, Arson, Internal Affairs, and finally the Metropolitan Area Narcotics Trafficking Interdiction Squad (MANTIS). Dave's a very artistic dude, we discussed his fiction book "The Gordian Knot" published in 2009. Now, he has a Non Fiction book coming out this summer, &...
Dave Thomas (Retired Pima County Sheriff Sergeant) 14.05.2025 1:53:47
Send us Fan Mail Dave kindly reminded me he was not the same Dave Thomas of Wendy's Hamburger Fame. We met at the Pima County Sheriff's reunion and I convinced him to be on the show. After high school he attended the University of Arizona where he attempted to study "Women and keg beer." This was a short-lived endeavor, so in order to avoid being drafted into the Vietnam War.....
Robbie Mayer (Retired Pima County Sheriff Sergeant, Retired Maricopa County Prosecutor) 07.05.2025 2:39:55
Send us Fan Mail It was my pleasure to host Robbie, get to know him better and I was amazed at how many of the historic events around Tucson he had been a part of. I'd be lying if I denied that the little whisper in the back of my head didn't save me on a number of occasions. Robbie describes the same phenomenon and absolutely attributes this :Guardian Angel" to his faith. We only m...
Kurt Dabb (Retired Pima County Homicide Detective) 30.04.2025 1:36:56
Send us Fan Mail Kurt is back! The last time he was on the show was 2022! He said he wanted to come back and share with The Squad the different types of therapies he has used over the years to help him deal with the calls and situations he was dispatched to. I'm grateful for his honesty, vulnerability and authenticity! My hope is that there are a few nuggets in here that you might find helpfu...
Randy Karrer (Retired Golder Ranch Fire Department Chief) 23.04.2025 1:50:36
Send us Fan Mail My good buddy, and multiple time guest, Bill Hanson arranged the meeting between Randy and I! We met, I gave him a hard time about being a second responder, but he was such the gracious guest. He chose the fire service after he had an interaction with Firefighter/ paramedics early in his life which sealed his destiny! Many years later, he rose to the ranks of The Chief and he cont...
Rick Wilson (Retired Tucson Police Captain) 16.04.2025 3:41:18
Send us Fan Mail Rick and I worked together while in the Office of Internal Affairs. He was our Captain, and the Chief's Executive Officer. Later, we met back up at the academy. I had escaped from IA and he was given the plush assignment right before he retired as a reward for a job well done under more stressful assignments. I enjoy his company, so much so, that we had to meet on two separat...
Ron Benson 2 (Retired Pima County Sheriff Lieutenant, Retired FBI Analyst) 09.04.2025 2:13:37
Send us Fan Mail Well, the last time Ron popped in we only made it through his career with the Pima County Sheriff's department. He's back, we clear up a few more notable PCSO moments and dive full into his career as a Spook. All kidding aside, he worked for another 16-17 years as an FBI Analyst. I'm honored host him and I'm so glad to present him to you, the coolest folks on t...
Raul Delgado (USMC, Retired US Border Patrol and owner of Del Designs Screen printing) 02.04.2025 1:50:36
Send us Fan Mail To say I enjoyed meeting up with Raul again would be an understatement. He was episode 28 three years ago. I didn't think he could top the story of his partner slapping someone across the face with a rattle snake, but here we are. He makes the podcast t-shirts (a gift for every guest, super exclusive gifts!) so I cornered him and forced him back on the show for another episo...
Jenn Hawkins (Formerly Jenn Turner, Retired Tucson Police Sergeant) 26.03.2025 3:27:31
Send us Fan Mail Jenn and I crossed paths over the years. We were new Sergeants on the Eastside and went on to join each other on a study group to promote to Lieutenant. She's newly retired after just over 24 years and I'm proud to know her. Really looking forward to what she does next, and I'm happy to share her career with you all. Give her the warmest welcome and enjoy!!! Come s...
Nancy Dowdy (Retired Tucson Police Sergeant) 19.03.2025 4:27:47
Send us Fan Mail Occasionally, I like to take a look back at where we've been so we can fully appreciate where the show is today. I do this by sharing some of the most popular episodes over the years. Based on the numbers...Nancy is right up there with Ed Boyen, Jen Brotherton, and Mike Thrall! For all you new listeners, take a look at their interviews as well and you'll see why I love...
Bobby Cox (Retired Pima County Sheriff Detective) 12.03.2025 1:43:36
Send us Fan Mail That's right, you've seen his name before...As a cop/ first responder, If you listen to the show, you can't help but recall memories as you listen to your buddies tell their stories. That's exactly what happened! After Steve Gardner and Dr. Carmona were on the show, Bobby said he needed to come back. He said he'd come tell more stories if I served up more...
Mike Pelton (Retired Tucson Police Officer, Pima County Deputy) 05.03.2025 3:15:40
Send us Fan Mail Mike's story is similar to mine. Palo Verde HS grads (barely), then Pima County Deputy and finally City of Tucson Police Officers. The profession is a good for people who found themselves being the protector of their friends, kept themselves out of trouble and want to spend their time, energy and efforts helping. Mike continues to help, creating his non-profit "No Belt R...
Terry Johnson (Over 30 years with AZ DPS, founder of AZ Fallen Heroes Memorial Riders) 26.02.2025 1:07:05
Send us Fan Mail Terry has been on the show before, but I asked him to come back and speak about the fallen officers 501C3 he created, while sharing the stories of some of our fallen heroes. The Arizona Fallen Heroes Memorial Riders raise money to help first responders seriously injured in the line of duty, or to provide financial assistance to the families of fallen officers. Terry brought over t...
Andy Birtcil (Retired Tucson Police Officer, SWAT, K9, Firearms Staff) 19.02.2025 2:22:19
Send us Fan Mail Like many of my guests, Andy is one of those guys where my urgency to get him on the show is heightened because, as you will hear, he developed Parkinson's late into his career and it ultimately forced him to quit before he was ready...even though he spent 30 years serving the City of Tucson. He worked his way into many of the "Desired" assignments through out his c...
Michael Duffey (Retired Pima County Sheriff Detective, Pima County Animal Control Animal Cruelty Investigator, EMT) 12.02.2025 3:43:39
Send us Fan Mail Over my career, US Marines have been some of the best folks I've ever worked with. The sense of duty, the "Can do" attitude and the refusal to quit when times get hard are all qualities that make them some of the best partners on the force. With that being said, Mike exemplified all these qualities throughout his career! Even though he can't drive, haha, the re...
Ron Benson (Retired Pima County Sheriff Lieutenant, FBI Analyst) 05.02.2025 4:26:59
Send us Fan Mail I enjoyed chatting with Ron, the last time I'd seen him was when he taught Constitutional Law to my academy class in 1998! His arrival to AZ, the jobs he held prior to entering la enforcement and a storied career...I think you're going to enjoy this one. You can see in the title of this episode he also worked at the FBI, but we didn't make it that far, so he plans t...
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