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.
Wrongfully Accused & Hunted by the FBI! Pomona PD Corporal Chad Jensen (Part One)
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One night can change everything! That is especially true in police work. What you think will be a normal overtime shift at a local fair can turn your world upside down. This is the story of exactly that.
Corporal Chad Jensen of the Pomona Police Department volunteered for a shift to work at the local fair. That decision would haunt him for the rest of his life. Corporal Chad Jensen was at the tail end of his career. He had worked motors, SWAT, and other special units before t...
Bonus Episode! Police Stories: Street Cop To Sergeant: The Satin Doll!
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In this special bonus episode of the Cops and Writers Podcast, retired Milwaukee Police Sergeant Patrick O’Donnell reads Chapter 30, The Satin Doll, from his book:
Police Stories: Street Cop to Sergeant — True Crime, Chaos, & Life as a Big City Cop
These are true stories from Patrick’s years working the streets of Milwaukee as a veteran officer, FTO, and eventual sergeant — stories of chaos, dark humor, tragedy, and survival that don’t make it onto TV shows.
All stories are real. Names and locations have been...
Behind the Scenes of House, Law & Order & Homicide with Writer Matt Witten (Part 2)
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Have you ever wondered what it takes to write for a hit television show? I think it’s safe to say many of us dream of our work appearing on a weekly TV show that millions of viewers can enjoy. Welcome back for the conclusion of my conversation with Author, Screenwriter, and Playwright Matt Witten. He takes us on an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of how it’s done.
Matt has had a career of ups and downs until he hit it big as a writer on the hit TV sh...
Behind the Scenes of House, Law & Order & Homicide with Writer Matt Witten (Part 1)
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Have you ever wondered what it takes to be a writer for a hit television show? I think it’s safe to say that many of us dream about our work being on a weekly T.V. show where millions of viewers get to enjoy it. Well, on today’s episode Author, Screenwriter, and Playwright Matt Witten takes us on an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of how it’s done.
Matt has had a career of ups and downs until he hit it big as a writer on the hit TV...
Bonus Episode! Police Stories: Street Cop To Sergeant: 15th and North.
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In this episode of the Cops and Writers Podcast, retired Milwaukee Police Sergeant Patrick O’Donnell reads Chapter 6, 15th and North, from his upcoming book:
Police Stories: Street Cop to Sergeant — True Crime, Chaos, & Life as a Big City Cop
These are true stories from Patrick’s years working the streets of Milwaukee as a veteran officer, FTO, and eventual sergeant — stories of chaos, dark humor, tragedy, and survival that don’t make it onto TV shows.
All stories are real. Names and locations have been chang...
NYPD Detective Marique Bartoldus and I Breakdown: The Outrage Over Flock Cameras & The Lindsay Clancy Trial (Part Two)
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What the Flock is going on? Thanks for joining me and my partner in crime, retired 20-year veteran detective of the NYPD, podcaster, and author, Marique Bartoldus, for the conclusion of our discussion on Flock cameras and our thoughts on the Lindsey Clancy case.
A little bit about Marique. Monz attended John Jay College of Criminal Justice, where she graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in Police Science. Shortly after graduating, she was sworn into the NYPD. She was assigned to multiple units within the Precinct, inc...
Bonus Episode! Police Stories: Street Cop To Sergeant. A Good Judge Of Character!
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In this episode of the Cops and Writers Podcast, retired Milwaukee Police Sergeant Patrick O'Donnell reads Chapter 5, A Good Judge of Character, from his upcoming book:
Police Stories: Street Cop to Sergeant — True Crime, Chaos, & Life as a Big City Cop
These are true stories from Patrick's years working the streets of Milwaukee as a veteran officer, FTO, and eventual sergeant — stories of chaos, dark humor, tragedy, and survival that don't make it onto TV shows.
All stories are real. Names and locations have been chan...
NYPD Detective Marique Bartoldus and I Breakdown: What The Flock Going On With The Outrage Over Flock Cameras ? (Part One)
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What the Flock is going on? Thanks for joining me and my partner in crime for today's show: retired 20-year NYPD detective, podcaster, and author Marique Bartoldus! On today's show, Marique (Monz) will break down the hysteria, misinformation, and the good, bad, and ugly regarding Flock cameras. Next week we conclude our Flock conversation and jump into the travesty of justice known as the Lindsey Clancy case.
A little bit about Marique. Monz attended John Jay College of Criminal Justice, where she graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s d...
Bonus Episode! Police Stories: Street Cop To Sergeant. Not The Villages!
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In this episode of the Cops and Writers Podcast, retired Milwaukee Police Sergeant Patrick O'Donnell reads Chapter 4, Not the Villages, from his upcoming book:
Police Stories: Street Cop to Sergeant — True Crime, Chaos, & Life as a Big City Cop
These are true stories from Patrick's years working the streets of Milwaukee as a veteran officer, FTO, and eventual sergeant — stories of chaos, dark humor, tragedy, and survival that don't make it onto TV shows.
All stories are real. Names and locations have been changed where nece...
Lindsay Clancy: Criminal Responsibility on Trial, with Author and Defense Attorney Kerrie Droban
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I wanted to start today’s episode with a warning. Today’s episode went down some very dark roads and the subject matter is sensitive. We discussed the vicious murders of Cora, Dawson, and Callan Clancy at the hands of their mother, Lindsay.
January 24, 2023, at the family's home of Patrick and Lindsay Clancy on Summer Street in Duxbury, Massachusetts Lindsay Clancy brutally and savagely murdered her three children, Cora Clancy (5), Dawson Clancy (3), and Callan Clancy (8 months) by taking them into the basement and strangling them one by one with...
Bonus Episode! Police Stories: Street Cop To Sergeant. Oh Baby!
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In this episode of the Cops and Writers Podcast, retired Milwaukee Police Sergeant Patrick O'Donnell reads Chapter 3, Oh Baby, from his upcoming book:
Police Stories: Street Cop to Sergeant — True Crime, Chaos, & Life as a Big City Cop
These are true stories from Patrick's years working the streets of Milwaukee as a veteran officer, FTO, and eventual sergeant - stories of chaos, dark humor, tragedy, and survival that don't make it onto TV shows.
All stories are real. Names and locations have been changed where ne...
NYPD Special Ops Detective George Sichler. Scuba Unit, Gang Crimes, & Training Keanu Reeves For John Wick (Part Two)
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My first order of business is to thank those of you who are patrons of the show. Most notably, Frances Sheldrick, Kathleen Donnelly, Fran Cross, Gary Edgington, JK Donne, and Kathleen Kovacic.
Your generosity helps pay for the software, equipment, and my time producing this show. Yes, you too can become a patron for less than a cup of coffee or a pint of Guinness. Just go to patreon.com/copsandwriters. I would also like to thank all of you who have purchased my books in the Cops and...
Bonus Episode! Police Stories: Street Cop To Sergeant. I Don't Want to Know!
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In this episode of the Cops and Writers Podcast, retired Milwaukee Police Sergeant Patrick O'Donnell reads Chapter 2, I Don't Want to Know, from his upcoming book:
Police Stories: Street Cop to Sergeant — True Crime, Chaos, & Life as a Big City Cop
These are true stories from Patrick's years working the streets of Milwaukee as a veteran officer, FTO, and eventual sergeant - stories of chaos, dark humor, tragedy, and survival that don't make it onto TV shows.
All stories are real. Names and locations have be...
NYPD Special Ops Detective George Sichler. Scuba Unit, Gang Crimes, & Training Keanu Reeves For John Wick (Part One)
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Thank you for joining us on the show today for part one of my interview with Author, Instructor, Film Consultant, Public Speaker, and retired New York Police Department Detective George Sichler.
George started his career in a part of the Bronx that was known the most dangerous square mile in the United States. He went on to become a member of the elite scuba unit and later became a detective and went on to the gang and violence suppression units. He was also a firearms instructor who taught K...
Police Stories: Street Cop To Sergeant. Introduction And You Don't Have To Be Sherlock Holmes To Solve This Crime.
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In this episode of the Cops and Writers Podcast, retired Milwaukee Police Sergeant Patrick O'Donnell reads the Introduction and Chapter 1, You Don't Have to Be Sherlock Holmes to Solve This Crime, from his upcoming book:
Police Stories: Street Cop to Sergeant — True Crime, Chaos, & Life as a Big City Cop
These are true stories from Patrick's years working the streets of Milwaukee as a veteran officer, FTO, and eventual sergeant — stories of chaos, dark humor, tragedy, and survival that don't make it onto TV shows.
All...
Undercover Narc and SWAT Operator, Unfairly Forced to Resign, Now an Attorney Fighting for the Rights of Cops in the Workplace: The Bridget Truxillo Story
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Nobody likes a bully! One of the reasons myself and many others became cops was to protect those who couldn’t protect themselves. That’s what cops should do! But, what happens when your own sheriff’s department turns on you and becomes the bully? What do you do when your bosses and teammates turn on you? Where do you turn?
My returning guest today, former Sheriff’s Deputy Bridget Truxillo, was a sheriff’s deputy in Florida for years. She worked...
Her Grandfather Founded Delta Force. Her Father Lived Blackhawk Down. This Is Combat Veteran Mary Howe's Story.
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My guest on the show today, Mary Howe, is an Air Force veteran and daughter of a military legacy family. Mary’s mom is a retired Army Major; her father, Master Sgt. Paul Howe was in Delta and was in the Battle of Mogadishu, which later became the source of the movie Blackhawk Down. Her grandfather was Lt. Col. Charles Beckwith, the founder of Delta Force. To say that her family has a history of service at the highest levels would be an understatement.
A bit about Mary. Mar...
Murder, International Drug Smuggling & Hostage Negotiating: From Scotland Yard to Turks And Caicos with Det. Supt. Bob Lessemun (Part Two)
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Welcome back for part two of my conversation with Author and Detective Superintendent Bob Lessemun as we travel across the pond to England and to Turks and Caicos.
A little about my guest. Robert C. ‘Bob’ Lessemun, a man who left school at sixteen and walked straight into a police career that would span more than half a century. From uniform sergeant and ultimately Detective Superintendent. He built a reputation for tackling some of Britain’s toughest cases-murders, international fraud, major drug operations-while pioneering interview and interrogation training that w...
Murder, International Drug Smuggling & Hostage Negotiating: From Scotland Yard to Turks And Caicos with Det. Supt. Bob Lessemun (Part One)
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Today’s show takes us across the pond to England and the Caribbean to Turks and Caicos with a man with over half a century of experience in law enforcement, retired Detective Superintendent Bob Lessemun
A little about my guest. Robert C. ‘Bob’ Lessemun, a man who left school at sixteen and walked straight into a police career that would span more than half a century. From uniform sergeant to detective sergeant on the Regional Crime Squad, then inspector, chief inspector, and ultimately Detective Superintendent. He built a reputa...
Savannah Homicide Detective Kevin Grogan: No Greater Honor, No Bigger Failure (Part Two)
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Welcome back, everyone, for the conclusion of my interview with former Savannah Police Homicide Detective Kevin Grogan as we explore one of my favorite places in the world, Savannah, Georgia. Savanah is home to the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), some of the best food ever, history, haunted houses and ghost tours, and riverboats. It also has a seedy underbelly, with Kevin as our guide; that’s what we’re going to talk about today.
Kevin Grogan is an Army Combat Veteran and former Savanah Police Depa...
Bonus Episode! Author Spotlight With Bestselling Thriller & Mystery Author Amy Pease!
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Welcome everyone to a bonus episode of the Cops and Writers podcast: author spotlight with bestselling author Amy Pease. Her first bestselling book, Northwoods that is set in northern Wisconsin, is an Amazon Editors' best pick in the mystery, thriller, and suspense categories. Her newest book, Wildwood, is burning up the charts.
Amy is an alumnus of the University of Wisconsin-Madison Writer’s Studio. Amy is a nurse practitioner, where she is a nationally recognized H.I.V. specialist.
Please enjoy this wide-ranging conversation with...
Savannah Homicide Detective Kevin Grogan: No Greater Honor, No Bigger Failure (Part One)
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Today’s show takes us to one of my favorite places in the world, Savannah, Georgia. Savanah is home to the Savanah College of Art and Design (SCAD), some of the best food ever, history, haunted houses and ghost tours, and riverboats. It also has a seedy underbelly; that’s what we’re going to talk about today with former Savanah Police Department homicide Detective Kevin Grogan.
Kevin Grogan is an Army Combat Veteran and former Savanah Police Department Homicide Detective. He has worked a variety of assignments within...
From NYPD Street Cop to Media CEO: The Sherrie Price Clark Story.
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Today on the show, I have with me former New York City Police Officer, bestselling and award-winning Author, Ghost Writer, Editor, Author Coach, and CEO of Storehouse Media Group, Sherrie Price Clark.
Sherrie started her career with the NYPD in the early 90s while the city was at war with itself. She spent nearly a decade on the street and hung up her Sam Browne Belt to form a nonprofit, helping domestic violence victims. She moved to Florida and worked with the Northeast Florida Human Trafficking Task Force. ...
FBI Agent Barry Black: From Accountant to Sniper and Bomb Tech at Waco, Oklahoma City and 9/11 (Part 2)
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Welcome back, everyone, for the conclusion of my interview with the FBI agent who transitioned from FBI Special Agent accountant to FBI SWAT sniper and bomb Tech. My guest on today’s show, Barry Black, has been involved in investigating multi-million dollar crimes, from being a SWAT sniper at the Waco standoff, a bomb tech at the Oklahoma bombing, and 9/11.
Let's get to know Barry. Barry joined the FBI in 1988 and was assigned to the Oklahoma City Division, where he primarily investigated complex financial crimes. Mr. Black served as...
FBI Special Agent Barry Black: From Accountant to Sniper and Bomb Tech at Waco, Oklahoma City and 9/11 (Part 1)
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From accountant to FBI Special Agent, FBI SWAT sniper, and bomb Tech. My guest on today’s show, Barry Black, has been involved in investigating multi-million dollar crimes, from being a SWAT sniper at the Waco standoff, a bomb tech at the Oklahoma bombing, and 9/11. My guest on the show today is FBI Special Agent, ret. Barry Black. Part two airs next Sunday.
Let's get to know Barry. Barry joined the FBI in 1988 and was assigned to the Oklahoma City Division, where he primarily inv...
Borders, Badges, and Congress with Sheriff Mark Lamb (Part 2)
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Last week, we heard how a single ride-along changed the trajectory of one man's life forever. This week, Sheriff Mark Lamb and I talk about the big issues: border security, the Second Amendment, term limits, what's broken in law enforcement today, and why a man who spent eight years as one of America's most recognized sheriffs is now setting his sights on Congress. This is Part Two of my conversation with The American Sheriff.
More about Sheriff Lamb. Mark Lamb is known as “The American Sheriff.” He served as t...
One Ride Along Changed Everything-America's Sheriff Mark Lamb (Part 1)
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One ride along and a passion for public service.
That's all it took to change everything. My guest on the show today, Sheriff Mark Lamb, walked away from a successful business career, stepped into a police academy in his thirties, and never looked back. He went on to become one of the most recognized law enforcement figures in America. On this episode of the Cops and Writers Podcast, we take a look at how it all started for Sheriff Mark Lamb. Welcome to part one of this incredible s...
The California Kid: Owen Hanson's Journey from Cartel Kingpin to Frozen Protein Bars. Prison, Power, & Purpose!
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Today’s show is going to be a little different. Usually, I interview professionals who are law enforcement, military, or victims of crimes. Today, I will interview a man who was a criminal. This is a story of second chances and what can be accomplished after making a mistake.
Today on the show, I have Owen Hanson, whose life story was featured in the Mark Wahlberg production documentary, Cocaine Quarterback, available on Amazon Prime.
Owen is a California kid whose mot...
DEA Agent J. Todd Scott: From Busting International Drug Dealers to Writing and Producing Dutton Ranch (Part Two)
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Thanks for coming back for the conclusion of my interview with Author, Screenwriter, Producer, and Retired DEA Agent J Todd Scott. Today’s episode, we talk DEA stuff and work our way into Hollywood and books, more specifically, him being a producer and writer for the Yellowstone spinoff, Dutton Ranch.
Todd spent 30 years as a special agent for the DEA, being assigned to multiple locations across the United States and the world. During his time as a special agent, he took part in investigations leading to tons of sei...
DEA Agent J. Todd Scott: From Busting International Drug Dealers to Writing and Producing Dutton Ranch (Part One)
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The name of this podcast is Cops and Writers. My guest on the show today, J Todd Scott, definitely fits that bill. The conclusion of this interview will air next Sunday!
Todd spent 30 years as a special agent for the DEA, being assigned to multiple locations across the United States and the world. During his time as a special agent, he took part in investigations leading to tons of seized illegal drugs and millions of dollars in illegal drug proceeds. He was a part of the first group...
Police Officer Mike Martinez: Surviving 3 Life and Death Incidents in His First 18 Months as a Cop (Part Two)
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“Have you ever shot someone?” Most cops will be asked this throughout their careers, including myself. Most cops go to retirement without having to take a life. Then others have been involved in multiple officer-involved shootings (OIS). Most of the time, there is no rhyme or reason to this. Although your chances of being involved in an OIS are much greater if you are actually doing police work and not hiding behind a desk for 25 years.
Welcome back, everyone, to the conclusion of one of the most dramatic and i...
Police Officer Mike Martinez: Surviving 3 Life and Death Incidents in His First 18 Months as a Cop (Part One)
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“Have you ever shot someone?” Most cops will be asked this throughout their careers, including myself. Most cops go to retirement without having to take a life. Then others have been involved in multiple officer-involved shootings (OIS). Most of the time, there is no rhyme or reason to this. Although your chances of being involved in an OIS are much greater if you are actually doing police work and not hiding behind a desk for 25 years.
Welcome everyone to part one of one of the most dramatic and impac...
What the Dead Know With New York City Death Investigator Barbara Butcher.
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One pleasure of hosting this podcast is having some of your favorite people come back on the show. Today’s episode is one of those occurrences.
Today on the show, I welcome back retired New York City Death Investigator, author, and television star, Barbara Butcher. I had Barbara on the podcast back in 2023 on episodes 127 and 128.
Barbara Butcher spent 23 years at the New York City Office of the Chief Medical Examiner as a death investigator, director of the Forensic Sciences Training Program, and chief of...
Undercover Trooper & ATF Special Agent Jennifer Eskew. Becoming Fire! (Part Two)
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Welcome back, everyone, for the conclusion of my interview with retired ATF Special Agent Jennifer Eskew.
A little about Jennifer. Jennifer (CLARKE) Eskew is a former Virginia State Trooper, a retired ATF Senior Special Agent, an Author, and a subject matter expert in undercover operations, fire and explosion origin and cause determinations, and criminal investigations involving the violent crimes of arson and bombings, armed career criminals, and financial fraud.
Jennifer graduated from the Virginia State Police Academy in 1986, beginning her career as a uniform t...
Undercover Trooper & ATF Special Agent Jennifer Eskew. Becoming Fire! (Part One)
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Welcome everyone, to part one of my interview with retired ATF Special Agent Jennifer Eskew. The conclusion of this interview will air next Sunday!
A little about Jennifer: Jennifer (CLARKE) Eskew is a former Virginia State Trooper, a retired ATF Senior Special Agent, an Author, and subject matter expert in undercover operations, fire and explosion origin and cause determinations, and criminal investigations involving the violent crimes of arson and bombings, armed career criminals, and financial fraud.
Jennifer graduated from the Virginia State Police Academy...
30 Years. 50 Banks. How FBI Agent Ray Carr Caught the Most Prolific Bank Robber in History. (Part 2)
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Welcome back, everyone, for the conclusion of my interview with Retired FBI Special Agent, Author, and Professor Raymond Carr.
When we think of bank robberies, it conjures up visions of iconic movies like Dog Day Afternoon, Heat, and, of course, Keanu Reeves and Patrick Swayze battling it out in Point Break. My guest on the show today, retired FBI Special Agent Raymond Carr, hunted down hundreds of real bank robbers.
Today’s episode, we will break down that one defining case of a career for...
FBI Agent Ray Carr Caught the Most Prolific Bank Robber in History… But First, How It All Started. (Part One)
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Welcome, everyone, to part one of my interview with Retired FBI Special Agent, Author, and Professor Raymond Carr. The conclusion of this interview will air next Sunday!
When we think of bank robberies, it conjures up visions of iconic movies like Dog Day Afternoon, Heat, and, of course, Keanu Reeves and Patrick Swayze battling it out in Point Break. My guest on the show today, retired FBI Special Agent Raymond Carr, hunted down hundreds of real bank robbers, including the most prolific bank robber of all time, who...
Bonus Episode! A Novel Crime With Bestselling Author Deborah Levison!
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Welcome everyone to a bonus episode of the Cops and Writers podcast, author spotlight with bestselling author and publicist, Deborah Levison. Her first book, THE CRATE, won seven literary awards, and Lee Child, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the JACK REACHER series, said, “THE CRATE is an impressive piece of work." Since then, she wrote A Nest of Snakes and recently released A Novel Crime, which has been described as “Uproariously funny, exquisitely unputdownable, and ingeniously plotted... the perfect, delicious escape."
Please enjoy this wide-ranging conversation with one o...
Sgt. Betsy "Tactical Grandma" Brantner Smith; Undercover Cop, Sergeant, & Television Reality Star. (Part Two)
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Welcome everyone to the conclusion of my interview with Naperville Police Department Retired Police Sergeant and now Spokesperson for the National Police Association, Betsy Brantner Smith.
Last week, we learned about Betsy’s journey from growing up in a small town on a farm to making it to a big-city police department and all the unthinkable harassment and bullying she endured from within her own agency.
This week, we learn about her work as an undercover cop involved in high-stakes takedowns in and around the...
Sgt. Betsy Brantner Smith, Resilience Under Fire: The Early Years of a Female Cop Who Refused to Quit. (Part One)
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Can you imagine being the only female in your police academy class? How about the instructor telling you that you shouldn’t be in the classroom and instead should be giving him a blowjob? Or being a rookie cop and being formally disciplined for egregious violations like failure to take a hint or having your feet too far apart for a female? Resilience and grit. Those are the words that come to mind when I interviewed today’s guest, retired Police Sergeant Betsy Brantner Smith of the Naperville Police Department.
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