Reasons We Serve
Do you ever wonder why people go into law enforcement? Does being in law enforcement change your views of the public over time and how does being an officer affect your family? This podcast explores these questions as well as discusses different careers and the functions of various law enforcement agencies including local, state and federal agencies. The episodes include interviews with retired and active-duty law enforcement officers.
Episodes
From Cadet to Captain: A Retired NOPD Officer’s Journey Through Law Enforcement | Don Curole
🎥 Episode 121 In this compelling interview, retired New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) Captain Don Curole shares his incredible journey from a young cadet to a seasoned homicide detective and district commander. Discover the challenges, …
From Street Hustler to NYPD Detective: The Untold Story of Detective Louis Balestrieri
🎥 Episode 120In 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. Raise…
From Brooklyn Streets to DEA Leadership: The Incredible Story of Frank Del Re
🎥 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 journe…
Los Angeles County Sheriff Veteran Homicide Detective: Solving the Ultimate Crime | Ty Labbe
🎥 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 forensic…
Episode 117 interview with retired DEA Special Agent Kevin Wetteland
🎥 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 enforcem…
Episode 116 Dr Richard Stride, CEO, Cascade Community Healthcare, former Army Captain, Combat Stress
🎙️ 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 pas…
Dick Barr: Seawolf Pilot | Vietnam War Hero & Distinguished Flying Cross Recipient | Episode 115
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 Distinguishe…
Episode 114 retired Oregon State Police Patrol Sergeant Duane Larson
🎙️ 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 ser…
Episode 113 Andy Caldwell Chief of Police Centralia PD and retired LVPD Detective
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…
Episode 112 Retired Lewis County Sheriff Detective Bruce Kimsey
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 Count…
Episode 111 Retired Multnomah County Sheriff Detective Chris Peterson
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…
Episode 110 Retired Drug Enforcement Administration ASAC Art Scalzo
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…
Episode 109 Retired NYPD Detective Bill Kelly
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, …
Episode 108 Joe Scargill Secret Service Special Agent in Charge
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.
Episode 107 John Rhodes retired Sergeant Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
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 o…
Episode 106 Cyndi Doyle Founder of Code4Couples
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 husban…
Episode 105 Erik Lavigne Two Cops One Donut
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 th…
Episode 104 retired DEA Special Agent Lori (Schwarzkopf) Miller
Interview with retired DEA Special Agent Lori Schwarzkopf MillerYears of Service: 1991-2015Growing 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…
Episode 103 David Syvock retired Newport Beach PD SVU Detective
Interview with retired Newport Beach PD SVU Detective David SyvockYears of Service: 1988-2016David 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…
Episode 102 retired Deputy Special Agent in Charge Homeland Security Investigations John McCabe
Interview with retired Deputy Special Agent in Charge HSI John McCabeYears of Service: 1991-2024Born and raised in the Southside of Chicago, John comes from a long line of policemen including his great-grandfather, grandfather, and father w…
Episode 101 retired Los Angeles County Sheriff's Gang Detective Knute "Goose" Grani
Interview with retired Los Angeles County Sheriff's Gang Detective Knute "Goose" GraniYears of Service: 1969-1984In 1969, Goose was hired by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and began working in the jail. There, he spoke with the…
Episode 100 retired United States Navy Seal Robert RJ Thomas
Interview with Robert "RJ" Thomas retired Navy Seal.Years of Service: 1963-1995This 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, U…
Episode 99 former DEA Group Supervisor Mike Messier
Interview with former DEA Group Supervisor Mike MessierYears of Service: 1995-2010Mike 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 graduat…
Episode 98 retired King County SO Major Crimes Detective Jon Holland
Interview with retired King County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Detective Jon HollandYears of Service: 1987-2019Jon began his career in law enforcement with the South Salt Lake City, Utah Police Department. After two years, he moved to Was…
Episode 97 retired Los Angeles Fire Department Battalion Chief Steve Ruda
Interview with retired Los Angeles Fire Department Battalion Chief Steve RudaYears of Service: 1978-2019In 1975, Steve attended the Marine Corps Officer Candidate Scholl and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant. He left active duty in 1978 …
Episode 96 retired Los Angeles County Sheriff Department Homicide Detective Gil Carrillo
Interview with retired Los Angeles County Sheriff Homicide Detective Gil CarrilloYears of Service: 1971-2009Gil 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…
Episode 95 former DEA Intelligence Analyst Christopher Macolini
Years of Service: 1987-2002In the world of law enforcement, there are many careers other than police officers, sheriff deputies, and Special Agents that play a crucial role during investigations leading to the arrest and prosecution of crim…
Episode 94 Diplomatic Security Service Agent Steve Silva
Years of Service: 1986-PresentSteve has had a long line of service, starting in 1986 when he joined the United States Army. He eventually found his way to the Diplomatic Security Service in 1999 where he was assigned to the Washington D.C. …
Episode 93 Boise Fire Department Captain Jim Walker
Interview with Boise Fire Department Captain Jim WalkerYears Of Service: 1999-PresentDuring this episode, Jim discusses his journey to becoming a fireman and his path to becoming a Captain with the Boise Fire Department.During this entertai…
Episode 92 retired Miami-Dade Homicide Detective Ramesh Nyberg
Interview with retired Miami-Dade Homicide Detective Ramesh NybergYears of Service: 1979-2006Ramesh grew up in South Miami, with a mom from India who would later become a Principal and a father who was a Swedish boat-builder. Much like othe…
Episode 91 retired United States Customs Special Agent Bob Starkman
Interview with retired United States Customs Special Agent Bob StarkmanYears of Service: 1980-2018Bob began his career in law enforcement in 1980 as a correctional officer at Greenhaven State Prison in New York. From there he worked for the…
Episode 90 retired DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge Dante Sorianello
Interview with retired DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge Dante SorianelloYears of Service: 1987-2022In 1987, Dante was hired by the DEA. After graduating from the DEA Academy, Dante was assigned to the San Diego office where he investig…
Episode 89 retired NYPD Detective Vic Ferrari
Interview with retired NYPD Detective Vic FerrariYears of Service: 1987-2007Vic was born in New York and from a young age always wanted to be an NYPD police officer. During this episode, Vic talks about growing up in New York and what led h…
Episode 88 retired San Diego Police Department Sergeant Detective David Contreras
Interview with retired San Diego Police Department Sergeant Detective David ContrerasYears of Service: 1985-2015Born in Tijuana, Mexico, David came to the United States and, as a young child, knew he wanted to become a police officer. As Da…
Episode 87 retired ATF Special Agent Roland Ballesteros
Interview with retired ATF Special Agent Roland Ballesteros. Years of Service: 1987-2018Roland grew up in Texas in a large family with a history of law enforcement going back to the 1800s to his great, great, great grandfather, who was a de…
Episode 86 retired Army Apache and Customs and Border Protection Air Interdiction Pilot Dan Flores
Interview with Dan Flores, retired United States Army, Customs and Border Protection and EMS pilot.Years of Service: 1985-2022Daniel Flores is a lifelong Texan. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1985, attending Infantry training at Ft. Bennin…
Episode 85 retired DEA Special Agent in Charge Steven Whipple
Interview with retired DEA Special Agent in Charge Steven WhippleYears of Service: 1985-2021Steve grew up in Texas but spent some of his formative years living in Iran while his stepfather worked in the oil industry.In 1985, Steve was hired…
Episode 84 retired FBI Special Agent Ann Kirkland
Interview with retired Special Agent Federal Bureau of Investigation Ann Kirkland.Years of Service: 1996-2022Growing up in Pennsylvania, Annie knew from an early age that she wanted to pursue a career in law enforcement. With encouragement …
Episode 83 retired CIA Officer Jerry O'Shea
Interview with CIA Officer Jerry O'SheaYears of Service: 1984-2017 Jerry was recruited into the CIA in 1984. During that time, he worked undercover as an operations officer for over three decades. He served in Europe, Africa, South Asia, an…
Episode 82 retired U.S. Customs Special Agent Chris Hastings
Life on the Front Lines: Chris Hastings' Journey Through Drug Wars and Personal BattlesYears of Service: 1980-2013In this compelling episode, we sit down with Chris Hastings, a former customs patrol officer turned USCS Special Agent who sha…