Chief’s Chats
“Chief’s Chats” is hosted by Joey Hoover, a veteran law enforcement officer and radio broadcaster. Joey Hoover’s public service career spans five decades, beginning soon after graduating from Russell County High School in Russell Springs, KY in May 1984. Chief Hoover’s 34+ year law enforcement career includes a combined 14 years as Police Chief for two agencies and 8 years as Colonel of the Kentucky State Park Rangers. Chief Hoover achieved numerous certifications including Advanced Law Enforcement Investigator and Law Enforcement Chief Executive through the Kentucky Law Enforcement Council. Growing up working in his parent’s radio stations fueled Joey Hoover’s passion for...
Episodes
"Service, Leadership, and Family: A Conversation with Chief Gabe Heatherly" Chief's Chats EP 12
In this episode of Chief’s Chats, I sit down with Monticello Fire Chief Gabe Heatherly. Chief Heatherly first joined the Monticello Fire Department in the early 2000s and has served as its leader for nearly four years. With 26 years of comb…
“Clever Captures” Chief’s Chats EP 11
In this episode of Chief’s Chats, Chief Joey Hoover shares three unforgettable investigations where a little creativity — and a dash of trickery — made all the difference. From a tense murder warrant arrest in Jamestown to other high-stakes…
“From Overdose to Overcomer: The Charlie Wooldridge Story” Chief's Chats EP10
In this powerful two-part episode of Chief’s Chats, we take an unflinching look at the opioid crisis through the lens of hope, survival, and redemption. Part One explores the life-saving power of Naloxone—commonly known as Narcan—and how th…
"Before the Spotlight – My Encounters with Future National Fugitives" Chief's Chats EP 9
In this episode of Chief’s Chats, I share details of my encounters with two individuals who would later make national headlines — featured on America's Most Wanted. Long before their names were broadcast across the country, our paths crosse…
Chief's Chats EP8 “17 Miles in 12 Minutes: My Most Dangerous Pursuit”
In this intense and deeply personal episode of Chief’s Chats, I take you back to June 18, 1994 – an unforgettable night early in my law enforcement career. An in-person complaint in downtown Jamestown, Kentucky, quickly escalated into the m…
“Wired for Duty: Ridgenet’s Technical Edge for Emergency Vehicles" Chief's Chats EP7
In this episode of Chief’s Chats, I talk with Alex Wilson, Chief Operations Officer for the Ridgenet Network Group headquartered in Science Hill, KY. We talk in-depth how he and his brother Eric, turned their vision into a growing company t…
"Tradition, Tenacity, and Truth: The Ken Hill Story" Chief's Chats EP6
In this compelling episode of Chief’s Chats, host Joey Hoover talks with Ken Hill—retired Detective Lieutenant with the Kentucky State Police, Second Amendment advocate, 1770s frontier reenactor, and owner of a thriving real estate company …
Chief’s Chats EP5 “From the Field to the Front Office – Colonel Jeremy McQueary’s Rise in Conservation Law Enforcement”.
In this episode, Colonel McQueary shares insights into the unique challenges faced by Kentucky's Game Wardens, the importance of protecting our natural resources, and how modern enforcement methods are evolving. From wildlife poaching to bo…
Chief's Chats EP4 Life, Death, and Duty: A Conversation with Coroner Gordon Hicks
In this episode, we sit down with longtime Wayne County, Kentucky Coroner Gordon Hicks to explore the realities of a job few truly understand. With decades of experience serving his community, Coroner Hicks shares powerful stories from the …
Chief’s Chats EP3 Ronald Black (880, always)
In this powerful and heartfelt episode, we sit down with Ron Black — a United States Army veteran and retired police officer with over 30 years of service. Ron shares stories from his military deployments to Panama in the late 1980s, and of…
Chief's Chats EP2 "Agent Bunchie"
In this compelling episode, I sit down with retired DEA Agent Greg Bunch who shares his extraordinary journey—beginning with his upbringing in our very own hometown. We explore how his early life shaped his career, dive into the gripping st…
Chief's Chats EP1 Introductory Episode
Welcome to the first episode of my podcast! I'm sharing the story of how I got my start in public service—a career that has now spanned over four decades. From my early days in news reporting to working as a dispatcher, firefighter, EMT, po…