Reasons We Serve: Police Careers & Officer Experience

🎥 Episode 120 In this gripping interview, retired NYPD Detective Louis Balestrieri shares his extraordinary journey from hustling in the streets of Brooklyn to becoming a decorated detective in one of America’s toughest police forces. Raised among mob ties, Louis takes us through wild stories of public hustles, street justice, undercover narcotics cases, near-death shootouts, and working on Donal...

🎥 Episode 119-Join us for an exclusive interview with Frank Del Re, Deputy Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division and Chief of the New York Drug Enforcement Task Force. In this gripping conversation, Frank shares his journey from growing up in Brooklyn to becoming a high-ranking DEA agent, including his experiences working undercover, overseas in Italy, and leading major drug enfo...

🎥 Episode 118-In this gripping interview, retired Los Angeles County Sheriff's homicide detective Ty Labbe shares his 32-year career journey—from patrolling the streets to solving high-profile murders using cutting-edge cell phone forensics. Ty discusses the evolution of gang violence, the challenges of modern policing, and the emotional toll of investigating child homicides. He also reveals how...

🎥 Watch this exclusive interview with Retired DEA Special Agent Kevin Wetteland as he reveals the inside story of America’s War on Drugs, from undercover meth busts to the rise of fentanyl trafficking. With 31 years in federal law enforcement (including 26 years with the Drug Enforcement Administration), Kevin provides a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the challenges DEA agents face today. 🚨 Wha...

🎙️ Episode 116 – Trauma, Service, and Healing: Dr. Richard Stride’s Journey In this powerful and deeply personal episode, we sit down with Dr. Richard Stride, CEO of Cascade Community Healthcare, military psychologist, and former youth pastor, to explore the intersection of mental health, military service, law enforcement stress, and school shootings. Dr. Stride shares his inspiring journey from w...

In this gripping episode, retired U.S. Navy Commander Dick Barr shares his incredible journey as a Seawolf pilot in Vietnam. As part of Helicopter Attack Squadron Light Three (HAL-3), Barr flew many combat missions, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross and surviving a harrowing shootdown with Navy SEAL RJ Thomas. Discover the bravery, camaraderie, and sheer determination that made the Seawolves...

🎙️ Episode 114: Life on Patrol with Retired OSP Sergeant Duane Larson In this powerful episode, we sit down with Duane Larson, a retired Oregon State Police Patrol Sergeant, for a wide-ranging conversation about his decades-long career serving some of the most rural and challenging areas in Oregon. From his unexpected start in law enforcement at age 30 to patrolling the vast high deserts of Harney...

During this interview, Andy discusses his career, starting in the military and then transitioning to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, where he served on patrol, followed by assignments as a detective in the robbery and homicide unit, and the intelligence unit. Andy talks about Las Vegas as well as some of the cases he investigated, including homicide cases. Andy talks about his invest...

Episode 112 features a true storyteller. Bruce shares many stories during this episode, from his beginnings in the military and as a military police officer, to his first time working undercover, and what led him to work for the Lewis County Sheriff's Office in Washington State. Bruce discusses his specialty of interviewing people and shares many stories about homicide investigations, including hi...

During this episode, Chris discusses his long career with the Multnomah County Sheriff in Oregon. Chris discusses his continuing rotation between patrol and detectives and developing relationships within the community to solve crimes. Chris talks about his time as the co-lead investigator on the Happy Face serial killer case and what it was like talking to Keith Jesperson. Chris tells several inte...

During this interview with Retired Drug Enforcement Administration Assistant Special Agent in Charge Art Scalzo, we discuss a long and storied career. Art talks about growing up in New York, joining the military, and then eventually serving with the DEA. Art tells many stories about undercover work, working on cases domestically and internationally, and working in South America during Snowcap. Art...

Interview with Retired NYPD Detective Bill Kelly. During this interview, Detective Kelly provides insight into the NYPD in the 60's through the 80's. We discuss many topics to include walking the beat in NYC, affirmative action, narcotics, and the toll the job takes, and how he dealt with the stress.

Interview with United States Secret Service Special Agent Joe Scargill. During this episode, we discuss Joe's unconventional career serving in the United States, Bulgaria, and as a training instructor.

John was hired in 1978 by the LACSD, where he began his career working in the Hall of Justice and then later in Inmate Reception. He started his patrol career in the Firestone Station, which was located at 7901 S. Compton Ave in the heart of a notoriously busy part of Los Angeles.   John later served for 10 years in the Special Enforcement Bureau (better known as SWAT) and then later the Advanced...

Episode 106 features Cyndi Doyle, who is a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor focusing on counseling for first responders with an emphasis on law enforcement. Cyndi began her career as a typical counselor, but soon married her husband, who began a career in law enforcement. Cyndi had no idea what to expect, and in the beginning, her husband would come home with stories from his job. As yea...

Erik is an active-duty police officer and host of the podcast Two Cops, One Donut. In this episode, we discuss challenges facing law enforcement today, including verbal and physical skills, and the potential for standardizing policing in the United States. We also discuss the difference between older officers and the new generation beginning their careers. Erik discusses why he joined the military...

Interview with retired DEA Special Agent Lori Schwarzkopf Miller Years of Service: 1991-2015 Growing up in a rural farm town in Iowa, Lori is the youngest of six siblings, all at least 10 years older. She attended a small Catholic school with eight boys and eight girls until high school when her graduating class grew to 187 kids. Lori attended the University of Northern Iowa, starting as a Vocal M...

Interview with retired Newport Beach PD SVU Detective David Syvock Years of Service: 1988-2016 David was hired in 1988 by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. During his time with LACSD, David worked on patrol for the COPS Program and for the Community Action Team and worked for a period of time in Avalon, better known as Catalina Island. In 2005, David, then 39, left the LACSD and was hir...

Interview with retired Deputy Special Agent in Charge HSI John McCabe Years of Service: 1991-2024 Born and raised in the Southside of Chicago, John comes from a long line of policemen including his great-grandfather, grandfather, and father who all worked for the Chicago Police Department. John has had a long and storied career, starting with the Cook County Sheriff’s Office, Dallas Police Departm...

Interview with retired Los Angeles County Sheriff's Gang Detective Knute "Goose" Grani Years of Service: 1969-1984 In 1969, Goose was hired by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and began working in the jail. There, he spoke with the inmates and tried to learn everything he could about them. Goose talks about his interactions with inmates, including a fascinating story about Charles Manso...

Interview with Robert "RJ" Thomas retired Navy Seal. Years of Service: 1963-1995 This is Episode 100, featuring Navy Seal RJ Thomas, who has been twice nominated for the Medal of Honor and is a recipient of the Navy Cross. On March 23, 1969, United States Navy Seal Robert J “R.J.” Thomas was flying in one of two Seawolf helicopters that were on a scouting mission near Nuy Da Dung Mountain in Vietn...

Interview with former DEA Group Supervisor Mike Messier Years of Service: 1995-2010 Mike joined the DEA after working as a stockbroker on Wall Street. He decided that the DEA was his calling, even with a substantial pay cut, and after graduating from the DEA academy in Quantico, VA, he was assigned to the San Diego office. Mike began working on traditional drug trafficking cases and soon found his...

Interview with retired King County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Detective Jon Holland Years of Service: 1987-2019 Jon began his career in law enforcement with the South Salt Lake City, Utah Police Department. After two years, he moved to Washington State and began working for the King County Sheriff's Office, located just south of Seattle. Jon started on patrol but gradually rose through the rank...

Interview with retired Los Angeles Fire Department Battalion Chief Steve Ruda Years of Service: 1978-2019 In 1975, Steve attended the Marine Corps Officer Candidate Scholl and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant. He left active duty in 1978 at the rank of Captain. In 1978, Steve joined the Los Angeles Fire Department, where he led a long and storied career spanning 40 years. Steve received the Ca...

Interview with retired Los Angeles County Sheriff Homicide Detective Gil Carrillo Years of Service: 1971-2009 Gil grew up in the 1970s in Los Angeles. As Gil explains, he was a lazy student who often hung around other young men who were going nowhere. At age 17, a police officer took an interest in Gil and recognized that if he didn’t get out of his environment, he was going to end up in jail or p...