Reasons We Serve: Police Careers & Officer Experience

Retired New Jersey police officer Kevin Donaldson delivers a raw, unfiltered account of life behind the badge in this powerful episode of Reasons We Serve.

From a troubled youth and an accidental entry into law enforcement, to his first day on the job responding to a dead body and his second day involved in a felony stop with a gun — Kevin shares the unvarnished reality of policing that most people never see. He breaks down the mind-numbing boredom interrupted by moments of sheer terror, the devastating toll of repeated trauma (hundreds of critical incidents vs. the average person's 2–4 in a...

🎥 Episode 158
Pierce County Sheriff Keith Swank sits down on Reasons We Serve for a raw, no-BS interview.
 
Elected by the people, Swank now faces removal under Washington’s new Senate Bill 5974 for his social media posts and refusal to enforce what he calls unconstitutional laws. From his 33-year Seattle PD career to God calling him in a hot tub, Swank shares why he’s standing his ground, the fight for free speech, leadership lessons, pursuit policy, gun control bills, and the real cost of the badge on family and faith.

To connect with Sheriff Swank go to hi...

🎥 Episode 157

Detective Jesus Diaz of the Alamogordo Police Department opens up about his raw 5-year journey in law enforcement—from starting in corrections at age 18 to patrol, FTO, and investigations. In this powerful interview, he shares the haunting calls that shaped him: a son murdering his mother, a baby overdose during training, a brutal 30-stab domestic homicide, and a military suicide that hit too close to home amid his own personal struggles.

Jesus Diaz talks candidly about PTSD in police officers, the importance of therapy and mental health support in policing, cultural barriers for Hispanic officers in Ne...

🎥 Episode 156

Join Lubbock County Sheriff's Lt. Chris Daniel as he shares his 30+ year career from Lubbock PD patrol in 1995 to SWAT, EOD, K9, and leading Texas Anti-Gang Unit. He opens up about tragic losses (SWAT Sgts killed), battling PTSD through EMDR, Christian counseling, and faith, plus founding Servants of Peace Ministries for first responders. Hear funny cop stories, family impacts, and his "reasons we serve" despite the trauma. Perfect for law enforcement fans, PTSD awareness, and Texas police stories. 

If you enjoyed this interview and would like to support the channel, please subscribe, leave us a 5-sta...

🎥 Episode 155

Join us for an exclusive interview with retired Navy SEAL Master Chief Bill Huckins, who shares his incredible 30-year career from boot camp in 1965 to commanding Arctic training in Kodiak, Alaska.

Hear gripping stories of Vietnam river patrols on PBRs, intense BUD/S training on the East Coast, working with dolphins in the Marine Mammal Program for mine detection, and leadership as Command Master Chief. From cleaning blood off boats after RPG attacks to training dolphins to neutralize underwater threats, Bill reveals the highs, challenges, and unique missions of SEAL life.

Perfect for mil...

🎥 Episode 154
Retired Las Vegas Metro Police Lt. Randy Sutton shares his raw, unfiltered 34-year law enforcement journey—from becoming New Jersey's youngest cop at 19, surviving multiple shootings (including a harrowing 1989 gunfight), facing department betrayal after a stroke, to founding The Wounded Blue to help injured officers. Emotional stories of trauma, compassion, corruption, peer support, and an anonymous donor changing lives. Never forgotten, never alone.

Support The Wounded Blue: https://thewoundedblue.org #LawEnforcement #PoliceStories #TheWoundedBlue #TrueCrime #firstresponders

If you enjoyed this interview, please give us a 50star review, subscribe, and share to stay updated on more inspi...

🎥 Episode 153

Retired San Bernardino County Sheriff's Deputy Jim Ferronato shares raw, unfiltered stories from his 30-year career (1960s–1990s). Hear about confronting early Hell's Angels in Fontana bars, breaking up brutal biker fights, gun-in-mouth standoffs, narcotics busts, minimal training in the Wild West era, and how policing evolved. Incredible firsthand history of outlaw motorcycle gangs in their birthplace — Pissed Off Bastards to Hell's Angels — plus Sheriff Frank Bland tales and real street wisdom. Perfect for true-crime, biker history, and law-enforcement fans.

Welcome to our Channel Reasons We Serve, a podcast dedicated to exploring the motivations, challenges, and reali...

🎥 Episode 152
Join former Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) corrections officer Mario Ramirez as he shares his incredible journey from a tough upbringing in Colton, California—surrounded by gangs, poverty, and family struggles—to rising through the ranks in federal prisons. Hear unfiltered tales of avoiding trouble, working in ICE detention, gang intel, staff misconduct, his controversial termination in 2025, and how it all shaped his life as a dad and founder of Pinta Vibes. A must-watch for true-crime fans and prison-reform discussions.

Subscribe for more raw law enforcement interviews! #BOPStories #TrueCrime #PrisonGuard Like & comment your thoughts on Mario's journey...

🎥 Episode 151
Dive into the gripping career of retired LA County Sheriff's Deputy Adam Cordova, from growing up in Compton amid gangs to becoming a gang expert and tech ops specialist (1990-2022). In this exclusive interview, Adam shares raw stories: patrolling tough neighborhoods, handling OJ Simpson, the Justin Bieber egg incident, electronic surveillance ops, and the harsh realities of child abuse cases. Discover how street smarts shaped his 32-year journey in law enforcement. Adam is also the host of the Proper Scoundrel podcast. Perfect for true crime fans and police story enthusiasts.

Adam's podcast can be found here:

🎥 Episode 150
Former San Francisco Police Department officer Paul Lozada shares his incredible undercover journey in this powerful Reasons We Serve interview. With Filipino-Italian heritage that let him seamlessly blend into Black, Asian, Latino, and other communities, Paul worked gang units and narcotics operations, building trust and eliciting confessions without force. Hear how his "street education" from maximum-security inmates shaped his non-intrusive interviewing style, why he wrote the memoir Officer 1Eight7, and his praise for the host’s authentic approach. He also explains his involvement with Hollywood as a technical advisor and contributor to Training Day and the Equalizer films, and s...

🎥 Episode 149
Retired LAPD Sergeant Marlon Marrache (15 years in discipline, Internal Affairs veteran) drops raw truth on "The IA Guy" podcast—exposing how misconduct cases really work, from 2008 tours to retirement in 2022.

In this Reasons We Serve episode, Marlon unpacks the curiosity that pulled him into IA, the emotional toll of digging into officers' "laundry," single-dad struggles balancing badge and family, and his vision for 2026: ride-alongs, recruitment vibes, and bringing back "Life on the Beat." With 1.6M YouTube views and growing, Marlon's no-BS style demystifies discipline, defends the job, and reminds us why we serve. Perfect for cops, IA pr...

Episode 148
Journey through rural Idaho's badge life with retired Emmett PD Chief Gary Scheihing (40+ years), who ditched family carpentry for LE at 18—starting as Ada County dispatcher/jailer (pre-21 patrol ban), evolving through Meridian PD's first MDT computers to a 2-year Emmett reorganization amid homicides and growth. From 1969 Impala patrols (lights only, no siren) to advising rookies on tech-savvy tests and unbreakable family ties ("Pick kids up from school? Priceless"), Gary's tales blend humor, history, and heart—why strong home circles outlast the grind.

Welcome to our Channel Reasons We Serve, a podcast dedicated to exploring the moti...

Episode 147
Dive into the gritty underbelly of 1980s-90s NYC with retired NYPD Detective Sgt. Jon Schwartz (25 years, Organized Crime Control Bureau)—mastering auto theft rings tied to mobsters like John Gotti and Carmine Fatico, from street IDs spotting OC players on Utica Ave to FBI/Customs task forces dismantling chop shops and major cases. As a native New Yorker who ran the "Fundamentals of Auto Crime Investigations" school, John shares front-row freak show tales: Bizarre encounters, wheel-reinventing unit shifts, and the "million stories in the naked city" that defined his command. Post-retirement reflections on health scares (heart attack in...

🎥 Episode 146
Unleash the unbreakable bond in retired Vineland City PD Sgt. Louis Platania's 16-year "shit magnet" ride (2008-2024)—proactive patrols in south Jersey's gang-plagued 67-sq-mile hotspot (67K pop, between Philly & AC) turning into K9 heroics when his partner saves him from a brutal 2015 attack amid a 911 call gone deadly. From poverty-stricken childhood with a prescription-pill-addicted dad (stealing pads for oxys/percs) to legal vindication after "villain" smears, Louis details the 2024 DC medal honor (9th dog in US history via Animals in War & Peace) and heartbreaking cancer farewell, closing a "Cinderella" chapter. A raw testament to resilience, family anchors, and why "...

🎥 Episode 145

In this law enforcement interview and police officer story, DEA Special Agent Richard Oakley discusses his career spanning from 1967 to 1996. Step into the raw, resilient world of retired DEA Special Agent Richard T. Oakley, whose badge spanned New Brunswick PD patrols, Union County narcotics probes, and DEA's gritty 1970s trenches—from basic agent class at D.C.'s 1405 I Street to undercover ops that tested his soul. Haunted by his father's WWII trauma-fueled death at 30 (when Richard was 13) and a family legacy of drinkers, he confronts the bottle's grip on cops: "I broke my promise—I'd die first."...

A brief message from the creator of Reasons We Serve, Niles Gooding, a retired DEA Agent.

🎥 Episode 144
Uncover the shadows with retired Fairfax County PD Detective Ken Larson (FBI 12 years), whose journey began in 1983 with the Secret Service Uniform Division—fueled by a Youngstown steel-town kid's obsession with True Detective mags and "Walking Tall" heroism, no family LE legacy. From blue-collar roots to deep undercover infiltrating motorcycle gangs, Ken reveals the grind: Building informant trust through genuine empathy ("I see people as people, not handcuffs"), the "good vs. evil" pull, and wisdom's shift from black-and-white rookies to life-changers mentoring at-risk kids like "Joe" (now Virginia Tech-bound).

Welcome to our Channel Reasons We Serve, a pod...

🎥 Episode 143
Step into the unyielding world of retired NYC Department of Corrections Deputy Warden Philip Billik (25 years, 1983-2008), who traded Wall Street publishing for Rikers Island's chaos—starting as a 23-year-old recruit bused straight to Bronx House of Detention amid 1970s civil service tests and civil servant dreams. From six-week Rikers training (classroom law to Bronx firearms drills) to commanding 500-inmate units through riots, stabbings, and escapes, Phil reveals the "my house, my way" mindset that kept stress at bay: No domestics, no bars, no drugs—just care, custody, control. As a native New Yorker from Inwood's Irish-Italian-Jewish trades hub, he...

🎥 Episode 142
Trace retired St. Louis County PD Sgt. Adam Kavanaugh's 25-year badge odyssey—from a poverty-stricken childhood idolizing his grandfather's heroism amid violent home beatings to a lifelong "policeman" fixation sparked by a homemade jean-car toy. Drawn to protect the weak, Adam's career peaks in the gut-wrenching Child Exploitation Unit, sifting through unimaginable abuse footage that fueled hyper-vigilance—scanning crowds at daughter's cheer games, phone-glued vacations, and a post-retirement escape to 8-acre isolation. He bears the toll: Savior complex from abuse, trust shattered ("I don't trust anybody"), and family strains eased by therapy, yet a forever changed worldview.

We...

🎥 Episode 141
Dive into the raw streets of 1980s-90s Baltimore with retired Prince George's County PD detective Maurice Hicks (20 years total, including Baltimore PD narcotics as well as a homicide detective), who traded a heroin-plagued backyard for a badge—not once, but twice—after reluctant recruiter tests hooked him despite zero interest in policing. From high-speed pursuits and foot chases to dismantling a drug kingpin linked to 12 murders on his beat, Maurice shares unfiltered tales of uniform patrols, undercover ops, and FBI task-force twists that inspired his Amazon-bestselling memoir, Looking for Trouble (International Impact Award winner, March 2023). As a Black o...

🎥 Episode 140
In an era where patrol officers spend half their shift buried in paperwork, discover how CLIPr.ai is transforming law enforcement with AI that auto-generates 90% of police report drafts from body cam audio or interviews—slashing documentation time and freeing cops for street duty. Co-founder Humphrey Chen shares the origin story sparked by a homicide detective's 3-hour interview miracle, the pushback from command staff on "too thorough" AI, and strategies for objective, bias-free narratives. From pilots proving 110% thoroughness to legal safeguards ensuring officer review, this eye-opening chat explores AI's role as a "productivity multiplier" without replacing human judgment. Plus...

🎥 Episode 139
Join active-duty Bel Air Police Lt. Rob Pfarr (27 years in, Harford County, MD) for an unfiltered ride through small-town law enforcement—from 1998 cadet days dodging dad's Vietnam anti-military veto to night-shift DUI hunts that nabbed drunks, drugs, and guns with instant gratification. In a quiet 3-sq-mile dept (33 sworn) that snapped a 30-year homicide drought with 3 killings in 6 months, Rob reveals the badge's evolution: sleepy bedroom community to hospital-bustling hotspot, blending patrol thrills with family pivots (blended clan of 5 kids) and the "Emotional Survival for LEOs" book that saved his marriage.

From prepping for change ("Job changes you—h...

🎥 Episode 138
Step into the mind of Patty Scalzo, a trailblazing female detective who served 19.5 years with the Nassau County Police Department, rising from uniform patrols in high-crime Elmont to mastering the "mental chess" of confessions that cracked even hardened suspects. Discover her unfiltered tales of leveraging psychology over force—why suspects confessed to please her, the good cop/bad cop dynamics with partner Tony, and the raw realities of domestics, car chases, and vehicle theft busts fueled by her lifelong car obsession. From a reluctant recruit pushed by her mom at 19 to early retirement after injury, Patty reflects on erode...

🎥 Episode 137
Step into the adrenaline-fueled world of retired DEA Special Agent Craig Chretien, who traded seminary robes for a badge in 1972, rising from gritty LA undercover ops to Chief of Intelligence and International Operations. From busting Hollywood coke rings and black tar heroin networks to spearheading takedowns in Peru and Bolivia, Chretien reveals raw tales of moral dilemmas, family sacrifices, and debunking CIA crack cocaine myths. This gripping documentary uncovers the human side of the War on Drugs—undercover mind games, high-stakes jungle raids, and the unbreakable bonds forged in shadows—delivering insider intel on America's longest battle against narcoti...

🎥 Episode 136
Join retired DEA Special Agent Jack McFarland for a no-holds-barred dive into 32 years of high-stakes drug enforcement, from his gritty start in Quantico and Philly's cocaine-crack streets alongside battle-hardened BNDD Vietnam vets to leading monster takedowns of Colombian cartels and heroin pipelines. Hear raw tales of proving himself as the "FNG" (freakin' new guy), compartmentalizing chaos for family dinners after dawn raids, and the tactical alpha mindset that defined DEA alphas. Now a motivational speaker at the beach, Jack shares leadership lessons, the shift from wheel guns to trust-building, and why he stays optimistic despite the toll—proving law e...

🎥 Episode 135 In this gripping interview, retired NYPD detective Chris Delia (13 years on the force, ex-Marine) opens up about his brutal Bronx childhood—abandoned by his dad, fending off predators—and how it fueled his drive to protect the "little guy." From dodging death as an 18-year-old punk with a pellet gun, which almost got him killed by cops, to surviving the Marines and then later infiltrating drug rings as an undercover "street comedian," Chris shares unfiltered war stories: heart-wrenching child shootings, kidnapped kids he couldn't save, and mafia takedowns like Operation Big Shot.

Discover how trauma haunts even the tou...

🎥 Episode 134
Dive into the raw, riveting world of retired NYPD Lieutenant Commander Vernon J. Geberth, the legendary "Godfather of Homicide," as he recounts three decades of high-stakes investigations in the brutal streets of 1970s-80s New York. From the gruesome Bronx Bathtub Torture case and the first DNA conviction in New York State to explosive clashes with corrupt brass and the infamous Larry Davis manhunt, Geberth pulls no punches on perseverance, politics, and the unyielding pursuit of justice. This documentary uncovers the tactics, triumphs, and toll of practical homicide investigation, offering insider secrets from the man who wrote the boo...

🎥 Episode 133
Retired Lee County Sheriff's Deputy Mike Hollow shares his raw 17-year journey from high-stakes Boston EMS trauma calls to intense Massachusetts state police academy drills, Florida patrols, and elite K9 handling—including heart-wrenching child deaths and tactical pursuits. He dives into the mental toll of policing, why agencies are lowering hiring standards amid morale crises, the vital need for post-retirement support to combat officer suicides, and how blind luck led him to Southwest Florida.

Now co-hosting the "Lee County Unscripted" podcast with real estate partner Kim, Mike highlights nonprofits, human trafficking survivors, and community leaders while offer...

🎥 Episode 132
Dive into the eerie intersection of ghost hunting and true crime with Colin Browen, creator of The Paranormal Files (400+ chilling YouTube videos), Murder in America, and The Conspiracy Files. From his family's haunted house horrors—crawling entities and vanishing footsteps—to high-stakes investigations uncovering unsolved stranglings, snuff film rings like Midnight Productions, and Epstein-like pedophile networks on North Fox Island, Colin reveals how paranormal leads (spirit boxes, psychics) have guided real law enforcement breakthroughs in cold cases.

In this raw interview, hear shocking FOIA battles with the FBI (1,400+ hidden files on child predators), death threats from exposin...

Episode 131
Dive into the gripping career of Deputy Mark "Oakley" El Sayid, an 18-year Florida law enforcement veteran who escaped Latin Kings beatdowns in New Jersey streets to conquer corrections riots, Florida Highway Patrol pursuits, heart-pounding SWAT baby rescues, and elite K9 narcotics interdictions. From mastering verbal judo to debunking traffic quota myths and building Black Sand Tactical—a tactical gear brand for cops—he shares raw stories of survival, sacrifice, and proactive policing in the Sunshine State. Perfect for aspiring officers, K9 enthusiasts, and tactical gear fans seeking unfiltered LE insights.

Welcome to our Channel Reasons We S...

🎥 Episode 130 From defusing bombs in the Air Force to leading SWAT raids as a tactical explosive breacher—meet Jonathan Salisbury, the 16-year veteran of Idaho's Meridian PD who traded dog tags for a badge at age 30. Jon reveals how military grit fueled his rise through patrols, undercover ops, and command, while balancing a high-stakes life with family, faith, and a secret passion: penning epic fantasy trilogies that blend magic with real-world heroism. Get ready for raw stories, leadership lessons, and advice that could launch your own blue-line legacy.

https://jonathantsalisbury.com

Welcome to our Channel Reasons We Se...

🎥 Episode 129 In this compelling interview, former Marine and Idaho police officer Jarad Webb opens up about his turbulent journey from a traumatic childhood marked by abuse and abandonment to a high-stakes career in law enforcement filled with adrenaline rushes, unprocessed PTSD, and a devastating spiral into opioid addiction. Rock bottom hits with a felony arrest, job loss, and a suicide attempt, but Jarad's redemption arc shines through Vet Court, intensive therapy programs like Save A Warrior, and the unwavering support of his family and a pivotal friend. Today, he's channeled his experiences into Zero Dark 30 Coffee, a veteran-owned business that fun...

🎥 Episode 128 In Episode 128, retired Federal Air Marshal Jeremy Beard reveals untold stories from his career in law enforcement, starting as a local cop in Idaho, serving in the Border Patrol in Laredo, Texas, and joining the Air Marshals post-9/11. Discover intense firearms quals, Viper team ops, active shooter training at FLETC, and insights on airport chaos, pet peeves on flights, and transitioning to POST academy coordinator. Jeremy shares hilarious anecdotes, like phone jammers and reclining seat hacks, plus the realities of federal LE life, mental health, and family impact.

Perfect for fans of military veterans, border patrol experiences, air...

🎥 Episode 127
In this powerful episode of our podcast, retired Ada County Sheriff's Deputy Aaron Miner shares his incredible journey, from growing up in Idaho, serving in the military with deployments to Iraq, to a 17-year career in law enforcement. Hear firsthand accounts of his roles as an Intel analyst, scout vehicle commander, SWAT team member, and school resource officer (SRO) for 8 years. Aaron opens up about leadership lessons, the mental health toll of trauma (including PTSD and fibromyalgia), his life-changing ibogaine treatment in Mexico, and innovative school safety strategies like Stop the Bleed training to prevent active shooter tragedies.

🎥 Episode 126
Dive into the gripping true crime story of retired Cold Case Homicide Detective Bobby Minchew in this exclusive interview. From his early days as a shy kid in Houston, Texas, to enlisting in the Marines at 17, surviving bootcamp, and serving in Desert Storm, Bobby shares his raw journey into law enforcement with the Harris County Sheriff's Office. Hear about his time in the jail, high-adrenaline patrol shifts, close calls with armed suspects, the Weed and Seed anti-gang unit, and solving Texas's oldest cold case murder after 41 years. Bobby opens up about interrogating serial killers, battling stage 3 colon cancer whi...

🎥 Episode 125 In this powerful episode of our law enforcement podcast, retired DEA Special Agent Stacy Weathers shares her incredible true story for the first time publicly. From her idyllic Midwestern childhood and unexpected call to law enforcement, to marrying fellow DEA agent Frank Mareno, whose tragic murder in Bogota, Colombia, propelled her into a 20+ year career fighting drug traffickers worldwide. Stacy opens up about overcoming grief, proving herself at the DEA Academy, undercover operations in San Diego, high-stakes assignments in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, Turkey, and Mexico, and the challenges of being a woman in a male-dominated field. Discover her insights on...

🎥 Episode 124 📌 Description Former law enforcement officer Rod Gates shares his incredible journey from growing up in Colorado to serving with the Sheridan, Wyoming Police Department and the Cassia County Sheriff’s Office in Idaho.

In this interview, Rod opens up about:
-His childhood struggles and path to becoming a cop.
-Intense moments on patrol, SWAT operations, and detective work.
-The harrowing rescue of a kidnapped couple.
-Leading roles in Operation Bowcut, a major international child exploitation case.
-Life in narcotics enforcement during Idaho’s meth crisis.
-Lessons learned from decades in law enforcemen...

🎥 Episode 123 In this gripping episode, retired law enforcement officer Glenn "Skinny" Grannan shares his incredible journey from undercover narcotics work in 1970s Louisiana to solving horrific homicides and child crimes in Mississippi. Hear heart-pounding tales of near-death experiences, like a gun clicking against his chest, busting major drug rings, and cracking the infamous "dismembered stripper" case featured on Dateline. Glenn opens up about his philosophy on policing, the toll of the job, and why he despises drugs. Perfect for true crime fans, police story enthusiasts, and anyone interested in real-life cop experiences.

If you love raw, unfiltered stories fro...

🎥 Episode 122 In this captivating full-length interview, retired Railroad Police Officer Paul Miller recounts his incredible 35-year career investigating crimes on the rails—from catching thieves hiding in the weeds to chasing suspects through train yards with no backup or gun.

Starting as a New Orleans Police Cadet in the 1970s, Paul rose to become a respected railroad special agent, patrolling yards, conducting high-stakes surveillance, and taking down criminals across Louisiana. His stories span history, crime, and law enforcement—from Pinkerton detectives to modern-day train robbers.

💬 Learn about railroad policing history, undercover operations, hobo culture, and how rail cops...

🎥 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, triumphs, and lessons learned during his decades-long career, including insights into the cadet program, high-profile cases like Hurricane Katrina, and the evolution of policing in New Orleans.

🔹 Key Topics Covered:
The federal cadet program that shaped his career
The realities of homicide investigations
Leadership lessons from the Fifth District
Surviving and serving during Hurricane Katrina
Reflections on police integrity and commun...