Cops and Writers Podcast
Cops and Writers is a podcast hosted by retired police sergeant and author, Patrick O'Donnell. The podcast provides valuable insights and humor for crime writers who want to create accurate and believable police stories. O'Donnell conducts in-depth interviews with members of law enforcement and civilian experts, discussing police procedures and culture. He also interviews crime fiction writers and writers from different genres, discussing what works in the ever-changing landscape of book sales and publishing. The podcast offers candid stories told with cop humor and technical details about the world of law enforcement.
Episodes
237 Latin Gangs Infiltrating America, Blood Routes, And Heroism, With Author & DEA Special Agent Wes Tabor (Part Three)
There was so much to unpack with Wes about his incredible career in law enforcement and his accomplishments off duty that this is my first three-part interview. Thanks for sticking around until the end! Honestly, I could have talked to Wes …
236 Latin Gangs Infiltrating America, Blood Routes, And Heroism, With Author & DEA Special Agent Wes Tabor (Part Two)
On today’s episode of the Cops and Writers Podcast, I have with me Author and Retired DEA Agent Wes Tabor. There was so much to unpack about his incredible career in law enforcement and his accomplishments off duty that this is my first th…
235 Latin Gangs Infiltrating America, Blood Routes, And Heroism, With Author & DEA Special Agent Wes Tabor (Part One)
On today’s episode of the Cops and Writers Podcast, I have with me Author and Retired DEA Agent Wes Tabor. There was so much to unpack about his incredible career in law enforcement and his accomplishments off duty that this is my first th…
234 Clay, Skulls, Bones, and Don't Embarrass the Bureau With FBI Forensic Artist Lisa Bailey. (Part Two)
Welcome back to the conclusion of my interview with Author and retired FBI Forensic Artist Lisa Bailey.Just a heads up, today's interview consists of two separate interviews. The first part is more about her exciting career as an FBI forens…
233 Clay, Skulls, Bones, and Don't Embarrass the Bureau With FBI Forensic Artist Lisa Bailey. (Part One)
On today’s episode of the Cops and Writers Podcast, I have with me Author and retired FBI Forensic Artist Lisa Bailey for this special two-part interview that will conclude next Sunday.Lisa Bailey spent most of her adult life serving our co…
232 Author & DEA Special Agent Leo Silva (retired) Takes Us Into The Zeta & Gulf Drug Cartels Reign Of Terror! (Part Two)
Welcome back to the conclusion of my interview with Author and Retired DEA Special Agent Léo Silva.Leo Silva spent over twenty-eight years on the frontlines of the global war on drugs as a special agent with the DEA. Leo’s journey took him …
231 Author & DEA Special Agent Leo Silva (retired) Takes Us Into The Zeta & Gulf Drug Cartels Reign Of Terror! (Part One)
On today’s episode of the Cops and Writers Podcast, I have with me, Author and Retired DEA Special Agent Léo Silva, for this special two-part interview that will conclude next Sunday.Leo Silva spent over twenty-eight years on the frontline …
229 Kerrie Droban Shows Us How to Survive a Psychopath in Court, In Life, and In “Love.”
Send us a textHave you ever known someone who is a bit off? It could be a boss, co-worker, or your significant other. It can start with someone too good to be true, filled with charm and fake empathy. Then, they begin to show their true col…
228 Gang Wars, Contracts on His Life, and Exile From His Beloved Club, Former Hells Angels Ventura Chapter President George Christie (Part Two).
Send us a textWelcome back everyone for the conclusion of my interview with former Ventura Chapter President of the Hells Angels, George Christie. But first a disclaimer. I do not and never have condoned criminal behavior. I was a cop for 2…
227 Gang Wars, Contracts on His Life, and Exile From His Beloved Club, Former Hells Angels Ventura Chapter President George Christie (Part One).
Send us a textI wanted to start the show today with a disclaimer. I do not and never have condoned criminal behavior. I was a cop for 25 years, and my heart is with the men and women who enforce the law and bring criminals to justice. That …
226 Deep Undercover With ATF Special Agent Jay Dobyns And Becoming a Full Patched Hells Angel (Part Two).
Send us a textWelcome back for the conclusion of my interview with Professor, bestselling Author, and Retired ATF Special Agent Jay Dobyns. If you're enjoying this episode, you'll love my interview with ATF Special Agent Ken Croke from epis…
225 Deep Undercover With ATF Special Agent Jay Dobyns And Becoming a Full Patched Hells Angel (Part One).
Send us a textDo I have a treat for all of you! On today’s episode of the Cops and Writers Podcast, I have with me Professor, Bestselling Author, and Retired ATF Special Agent Jay Dobyns for this special two-part interview that will conclud…
Bonus Episode! My Interview On The Ireland Crimes and Mysteries Podcast With Nules Ní Chleirigh!
Send us a textWelcome, everyone, to a special bonus edition of the Cops and Writers Podcast. A few weeks back, it was my pleasure to be a guest on the Ireland Crimes and Mysteries Podcast hosted by the wonderful Nules Ní Chleirigh. Being a …
224 Being a DEA Agent in Miami During the 80s and 90s & Later Battling Drug Cartels in Mexico, W/ Author & DEA Special Agent Jaime Forza (Ret) (Part Two)
Send us a textWelcome everyone to the conclusion of my special two-episode conversation with Author and Retired DEA Special Agent Jaime Forza! Here are just some of Jaime’s career highlights. After serving eight years in the U.S. Navy, Jaim…
223 Voodoo & Black Magic. Being a DEA Agent in Miami During the 80s and 90s & Later Battling Drug Cartels in Mexico, W/ Author & DEA Special Agent Jaime Forza (Ret) (Part One).
Send us a textWelcome to part one of my special two-episode conversation with Author and retired DEA Special Agent Jaime Forza! Here are just some of Jaime’s career highlights. After serving eight years in the U.S. Navy, Jaime joined the U.…
222 LAPD Lieutenant Jeff Wenninger (Ret.) Rodney King Riots, Rebuilding The Gang Unit After The Rampart Scandal, & Reenvisioning Police Work (Part Two)
Send us a textHey everyone, thanks for joining us as we’re going the back to west coast today for the conclusion of our interview with Author and Retired Los Angeles Police Department Lieutenant Jeff Wenninger! Jeff is a retired LAPD lieu…
221 LAPD Lieutenant Jeff Wenninger (Ret.) Rodney King Riots, Rebuilding The Gang Unit After The Rampart Scandal, & Reenvisioning Police Work (Part One)
Send us a textHey everyone, thanks for joining us, as we’re going west coast today! Welcome to part one of my two-part conversation with Author and Retired Los Angeles Police Department Lieutenant Jeff Wenninger! Jeff is a retired LAPD li…
220 Former NYPD Police Officer, Attorney, Presidential Advisor, and Author Nick Chiarkas! (Part Two)
Send us a textWelcome back everyone to the conclusion of my conversation with the amazing Nick Chiarkas! I was so excited about this interview I didn’t want you guys to wait for next Sunday! I really enjoyed talking to Nick and I think you …
219 Former NYPD Police Officer, Attorney, Presidential Advisor, and Author Nick Chiarkas! (Part One)
Send us a textWelcome to part one of my two-part conversation with the amazing Nick Chiarkas! I really enjoyed talking to Nick and I think you guys are going to feel the same about this episode. Nick grew up in the Al Smith housing project…
218 DEA Agent Chris Feistl Busting The Biggest Drug Organization in History, The Cali Cartel! (Part Two)
Send us a textWelcome back for the conclusion of my interview with Author and Retired DEA Special Agent Chris Feistl. Chris Feistl served with distinction for 26 years with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), retiring in 2014 as an A…
Bonus Episode! Rectal Hot Sauce and a Last-Second Murder Confession With Me Being Interviewed on The Things Police See Podcast.
Send us a textWelcome to a bonus episode of the Cops and Writers Podcast, with me being interviewed on the Things Police See Podcast hosted by Steve Gould!We talk about everything from rectal hot sauce to a last-second murder confession. Ch…
217 DEA Agent Chris Feistl Busting The Biggest Drug Organization in History, The Cali Cartel! (Part One)
Send us a textWelcome to part one of my interview with Author and retired DEA Special Agent Chris Feistl. Chris Feistl served with distinction for 26 years with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), retiring in 2014 as an Assistant Spe…
216 Founder Of The Wounded Blue & The Voice of America's Law Enforcement, Las Vegas Metro Police Department Lieutenant Randy Sutton. (Part Two)
Send us a textWelcome back to the conclusion of my interview with retired Las Vegas Metro Lieutenant Randy Sutton. Most cops, including myself, have a recurring nightmare of being in a gunfight and their firearm malfunctioning or their roun…
215 Founder of The Wounded Blue & The Voice of America's Law Enforcement, Las Vegas Metro Police Department Lieutenant Randy Sutton. (Part One)
Send us a textWelcome to part one of my show with retired Las Vegas Metro Lieutenant Randy Sutton. Most cops, including myself, have a reoccurring nightmare of being in a gunfight and their firearm malfunctioning or their rounds hitting the…
214 FBI Special Agent Turned Whistleblower Zach Schoffstall. Exposing Government Corruption at The Highest Levels & Paying The Ultimate Price For Doing The Right Thing. (Part Two)
Send us a textWelcome back to the conclusion of a special two part show with former FBI Special Agent, Zach Schoffstall. You never embarrass the bureau! The truth and facts of a case be damned! That is what happened to my guest at the end o…
Bonus Episode! How to Level Up Our Author Careers With Publishing Expert, Bryan Cohen!
Send us a textToday is a bonus episode of the Cops and Writers Podcast I shall name, Author Spotlight. Think of it as an offshoot of the Cops and Writers Podcast, with more of an emphasis on giving writers actionable help with the authorly …
213 FBI Special Agent Turned Whistleblower Zach Schoffstall. Exposing Government Corruption at The Highest Levels & Paying The Ultimate Price For Doing The Right Thing. (Part One)
Send us a textWelcome to part one of a special two part show with former FBI Special Agent, Zach Schoffstall. Zach started serving his country as an intelligence officer in the United States air force where he was stationed in Iraq and Afgh…
212 Former Gambino Mobster, Now International Bestselling Author Louis Ferrante Takes us Inside the Mafia, & the Kennedy Connection. (Part Two)
Send us a textWelcome to the conclusion of a special two part show with fan favorite, former Gambino Family Mobster turned mafia historian and international bestselling author, Louis Ferrante. Mr. Ferrante grew up in New York City and becam…
211 Former Gambino Mobster, Now International Bestselling Author Louis Ferrante Takes us Inside the Mafia, & the Kennedy Connection. (Part One)
Send us a textWelcome to part one of a special two-part show with former Gambino Family Mobster turned mafia historian and international bestselling author Louis Ferrante. Mr. Ferrante grew up in New York City and became entangled in the Ga…
210 Renowned Advocate & Expert in The Field of Human Trafficking/Modern Day Slavery, Tyler Schwab. (Part Two)
Send us a textWelcome to the conclusion of a special two part show with renowned advocate and expert in the field of human trafficking, and the founder of Libertas International Tyler Schwab. I’m going to warn you that the subject matter we…
209 Renowned Advocate & Expert in The Field of Human Trafficking/Modern Day Slavery, Tyler Schwab. (Part One)
Send us a textWelcome to part one of a special two-part show with renowned advocate and expert in the field of human trafficking, and the founder of Libertas International Tyler Schwab. I’m going to warn you that the subject we cover during…
208 From Crime Scenes to Cat Stew. Dr. Dana Kollmann, Author of Never Suck a Dead Man's Hand: Curious Adventures of a CSI.
Send us a textThank you for joining me today for a truly enjoyable and informative chat with Dr. Danna Kollmann. I knew this was going to be a lot of laughs when I was going to interview Dr. Kollmann, the author of Never Suck on a Dead Man’…
207 The Domino Effect of Murder With Psychologist, Author, Podcast Host, Speaker, and Homicide Survivor, Dr. Jan Canty
Send us a textThis is going to be a different Cops and Writers episode. Today’s interview is like something you would see in a movie or read in a piece of fiction. Unfortunately for my guest, she was forced to live and still lives this nigh…
206 Warriors Never Quit! A True Life Story of Resiliency, Heroism, and Self-Awareness With Author and Retired Kansas City Police Detective Brent Cartwright. (Part Two)
Send us a textWelcome back to the conclusion of my special two-part show with Kansas City Police Detective Brent Cartwright. Retired Detective Brent Cartwright dedicated over 25 years to serving as a US Army veteran and police officer, spen…
205 "It turns out that getting shot wasn’t the worst thing." Warriors Never Quit! With Author and Retired Kansas City Police Detective Brent Cartwright. (Part One)
Send us a textWelcome to part one of a special two-part show with Kansas City Police Detective Brent Cartwright. Retired Detective Brent Cartwright dedicated over 25 years to serving as a US Army veteran and police officer, spending more th…
204 Special Solo Episode! The Sarge Answers Your Questions With Stories!
Send us a textGood evening everyone. It's evening as I record this special solo episode of the Cops and Writers Podcast.Why do a solo episode? Good Question. I have been super busy taking care of my wife who had a total knee replacement sur…
203 Terror Attacks, New Year's Eve Cop Stories, And The Year in Review With Chicago PD Det. Lt. Richard Rybicki.
Send us a textIt should be noted that this episode was recorded on January 2, 2025, one day after the terror attacks in New Orleans and Las Vegas. Of course, there will be new information as the investigations proceed regarding these horrif…
202 NYPD Detective, Podcaster, and Author Vic Ferrari and I Discuss The Homicide of United Health Care’s CEO, Brian Thompson And Vic's Newest Book, NYPD: Presumption & Dysfunction
Send us a textToday we are bringing back returning champ, retired NYPD Detective, Author, and Podcaster, Vic Ferrari. Vic worked a distinguished twenty-year career with the NYPD as a patrol officer and later moved up to the organized crime …
Bonus Episode! Christmas Eve 2024 With Chicago PD Detective Lieutenant Richard Rybicki And Myself Swapping Christmas Stories From the Job.
Send us a textWelcome to a bonus Christmas Eve Cops and Writers with my friend Chicago PD Detective Richard Rybicki!Today’s bonus episode is filled with police stories from working Christmas during the holidays. We also both answer the burn…