OFFICER DOWN MEMORIAL PODCAST

Deputy Brandy Winfield was a lifelong resident of Marion County in North Central Ohio - his great grandfather served with the Sheriff's Office, and his father and brother both served as officers with the Marion City Police Department.  Brandy started serving as a young teen in the Explorer Program with the Sheriff's Office and worked his way up through Dispatch, Corrections, and Patrol.  At 29 yea...

It was the summer of 1967 in Rochester Minnesota - a rainy morning in August when Officer Floyd Haley failed to return to the police station with the rest of the night shift, his body discovered later by his friend and fellow Officer Fred Kelly. This community found itself stunned as they said goodbye to this hero and watched as their police department worked day and night, with few leads, to iden...

In this episode Sheriff Rose reviews some of the many amazing stories shared throughout this past year on the Officer Down Memorial Podcast, shares how the podcast has grown throughout the year, and also shares information about the podcast's new partner – Thin Blue Line USA.  It's a thank you to those who've followed and shared these fallen hero stories, as well as a great introduction to newer l...

Officer Brian Klinefelter was a young, enthusiastic officer serving in the city of St. Joseph in Central Minnesota.  It was January, and wind chills were 30-40 below zero that night.  Brian stopped a vehicle matching one used in a local armed robbery that night – and he was shot 5 times.  A huge man hunt, a kidnapping, and a large area search on foot followed.  In the end, 1 suspect was shot and k...

Chris, Scott, and Shaun are all active duty police officers in the Chicago suburbs who host a podcast called 3 COPS TALK.  This was a fun show talking about cop stuff, some of the struggles our cops are facing today, and about our podcast and some of the amazing heroes' stories we get to share.  More powerful stories coming soon.  NEVER FORGOTTEN! 3 Cops Talk: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram A  Hur...

We had a little issue with the audio file from this week's episode, The John Scanlon Story. The issue has been corrected! So if you previously downloaded the 10min version of the episode, please re-download the full 56min version to get the full story. Thanks You All for your support!

He served in Vietnam and as a paramedic before serving as an officer for the Robbinsdale PD.  A burglary in the early hours of Valentines Day resulted in his execution while sitting in his squad - by the very suspect they were searching for. John left behind his wife and one year old son they'd officially adopted just a few months before his murder. This episode is sponsored by our friends at Law...

A dedicated cop who quickly worked his way up the ranks and excelled in every position he earned. On the outside – he had a great career, a beautiful wife, two amazing kids he adored, and a beautiful home to raise his family in. On the inside – the stress, PTSD, and chronic pain from multiple injuries at work would become too much for him to bare.    This episode is sponsored by our friends at Law...

These days our cops are struggling.  The job is more stressful than ever with nearly 100 law enforcement suicides this year in the US.   Steve Hough of 1 st Help shares how they support Law Enforcement Officers and their families – advocating for benefits for those suffering from PTSD and supporting survivor families of officers lost to suicide.    More info: www.1sthelp.org  

We've lost nearly 100 officers to suicide in the US so far in 2021.  Shelley Jones from the Survivors of Blue Suicide Foundation shares their mission to provide all survivors and co-workers of law enforcement suicide with enduring support - also working with the agencies to provide respect and dignity to the families of these fallen heroes.  NEVER FORGET! https://www.survivorsofbluesuicide.org/ Fa...

It's been a tough few years for first responders!  If you're struggling with PTSD, mental health issues, stress, or suicidal thoughts – you need to listen to this episode.  Mike Hendricks from IWP explains the confidential and free services they provide to veterans, police, fire, EMT, corrections and dispatch.   www.iwproject.org / 1-855-435-7497   

Jack Dean Werner proudly served in the Army in Vietnam and later as a Deputy for the Olmsted County Sheriff's Office.  In May of 1977, a confrontation in the Apache Mall parking lot cost him his life – murdered by a young man whose mission was to kill a cop that night.  Deputy Werner left behind a young family and community stunned by his loss.    Check out our website for photos related to this c...

Here is my interview with Wayne Moulder from the On The Blue Line Podcast. Wayne is a veteran law enforcement officer, teacher, and a businessman, and he covers some interesting questions about life - about life outside the badge and uniform.  We'll also share some info on upcoming fallen hero stories in the works for these next few episodes.  

He was a well-respected and well liked Deputy in the community.  On a cold evening in November, he picked up a local farmer on a warrant for threats made to another local family.  He and the suspect had been friends for years, but this night would be Deputy Kruegel's last night on the job after a struggle with a handgun that proved fatal. This episode is sponsored by our friends at  Law Enforcemen...

An interview with Anthony McNeil of the Off Duty Podcast on the Everyday Heroes Podcast Network. We talk about my experiences serving, my Dad, why I got started, what it's like being a cop today, LE mental health, some fun personal questions, humble advice for new officers, mistakes I made along the way, and about the Officer Down Memorial Podcast. A  Hurrdat Media Production . Hurrdat Media is

In 2003, the small town of Andover Minnesota was rocked by an officer involved shooting.  A routine loud noise complaint ended in a shooting that left one dead and one with career ending gunshot wounds.  Two deputies share their involvement, their struggle with the incident and Cumulative PTSD, and their path to a new life and recovery. This episode is sponsored by our friends at Law Enforcement L...

In this episode we review listener questions, explain the Officer Down Memorial Podcast, how you can get involved, and give you a sneak preview of some great upcoming stories – plus an awesome interview with Sgt. Betsy Brantner Smith (ret.) from the National Police Institute.  A  Hurrdat Media Production . Hurrdat Media is a digital media and commercial video production company based in Omaha, NE....

Friends and family referred to him as a gentle giant.  He loved being an officer and helping people in the community.  He was working part-time and attending college to earn his degree which would allow him to work full-time doing what he was meant to do, when his calling as an officer was cut short one holiday weekend in 1999.   This episode is sponsored by our friends at Law Enforcement Labor Se...

In December of 2011, in this small river town of Lake City Minnesota, Christmas was just a week away when this community was rocked by the loss of one of their own. Officer Shawn Schneider responded to a domestic with a gun. Shawn saved the life of a young lady, and in the process, gave his own. A true hero loved by his community and missed by all.  This episode is sponsored by our friends at Law...

Thomas Underwood was ordered by the courts to stay away from his estranged wife and young daughter. It was almost Christmas. Armed and angry that afternoon, Thomas stormed into the home where his family was staying.  Marshal Johnson's response likely saved many lives that day, and cost him his own, leaving behind his wife and two sons.  This episode is sponsored by our friends at Law Enforcement L...

William (Bill) H. Freytag was a proud father of 5, a full-time engineer at IBM, and an active Reserve Officer for the Rochester Police Department.  He loved his kids dearly and loved serving his community - Service that cost Bill his life in 1961 while working downtown.  He was Rochester PD's first fallen hero, their first recorded Officer Down. This episode is sponsored by our friends at Law Enfo...

Christian Johnson and his wife settled with their family in this quiet community of Lyle Minnesota. He was well liked in this town and beat 2 other candidates for the election of City Marshal. Less than two years later an alcohol fueled night would result in Chris's murder at the hands of one of those candidates in front of the Commercial Hotel.   This episode is sponsored by our friends at Law En...

The Hastings Asylum in MN had reported escapes annually for years according to local reports.  One escapee stayed on the run for a year before returning to his hometown of Red Wing.  The Asylum's failure to keep him locked up resulted in the murder of Red Wing's top cop and one of his senior officers, a double murder that rocked this river town.   WARNING: Violent Content    (pictures courtesy of...

It was a warm Sunday morning in the river town of Winona Minnesota.  John Schneider had been promoted to Investigator and was 22 years into his career with the Sheriff's Office.  He grew up in Winona, was well respected in the community, and just a couple years from retirement when he lost his life helping save the life of a 15-month-old baby.   This episode is sponsored by our friends at Law Enfo...

In 1866, 35 year old Thomas Welch was one of four men assigned to police beats from 8pm-sunrise in Omaha, Nebraska.  That night Welch would encounter a soldier in a beer garden who had just mustered out of the Nebraska 1 st Regiment.  It would be his last encounter – a hero's story that left many unanswered questions… Check out our website for photos related to this story at www.officerdownmemoria...