The Fallen But Not Forgotten Podcast: Recent Episodes
Chris Jay
Bluecoat Foundation's Chris Jay sits down with family, friends & co-workers of those in law enforcement who have died in the line-of-duty. By discussing the lives of these selfless individuals, Bluecoat Foundation looks to honor their legacies. Through memories, laughter, tears and even at times anger, Bluecoat Foundation seeks to improve the health and safety of those in law enforcement by shedding light onto a topic that can be difficult to discuss.
On this episode I have a conversation with Ismael Carlos. Ismael has worked as an officer for Santa Monica College PD and is currently a police officer fo the Los Angeles Police Department. He served in the United States military as a tanker in the Marine Corps and served in Combat in Iraq. Carlos dedicates this podcast to his Godson, Ethan Carlos, who passed away recently at a very young age. Please support the Ethan Carlos Foundation, a nonprofit organization, by going to ethancarlos.org.
This podcast holds a ton of value for all of us in law enforcement and for those in the military. Please listen, tell us what you think and share this episode with someone you think it can help.
Timestamps:
00:01:25 - 1999: Joining the US Marine Corps
00:03:00 - Rio Hondo: Paying your own way through the academy
00:05:00 - We got a tanker job, "Sign me up!”=
00:06:00 - Straight outtta Whittier
00:08:00 - From Tankers to Black & Whites
00:10:00 - Deployment after the September 11th attack
00:12:30 - Warriorhood
00:14:00 - Pushing in, arriving in Kuwait
00:17:00 - The “Death Letter"
00:19:00 - Faith and survival
00:21:00 - Survival mode, training, completing the mission then processing
00:23:00 - Maturity and self-awareness
00:25:00 - Being scared vs Cautionary fear, mental preparedness of a warrior
00:27:00 - Experiencing loss during combat
00:31:00 - Appreciation
00:33:00 - The newer generation of officers
00:36:00 - Leadership
00:45:00 - Getting into a shooting
00:46:36 - An officer's wellbeing is part of the department's assets
00:48:00 - Burnout
00:49:00 - 2020 Riots
00:51:00 - Empathy-forward leadership
00:53:38 - Self reflection: What type of leader will I be?
00:55:00 - Dedication: Ethan Carlos
thefallenbutnotforgottenpodcast #bluecoatfoundation #usmc #policeofficer #podcast #lawenforcement
On this podcast episode I have a conversation with Tania Owens, widow Sgt Steve Owens. Sgt Owens died in the line-of-duty on October 5th 2016 when he responded to a burglary call in Lancaster, California. This was a very emotional interview as it was recorded at Sgt Owen’s mother’s house. Sgt Owen’s daughter also joined in the talk to give her insight as the child of a fallen deputy.
Timeline:
00:01:16 - Discovering Law Enforcement
00:03:00 - Undercover Narcotics
07:38:00 - Child Abuse Investigator
00:12:00 - The legacy of Steve Owen
00:14:30 -The love story
00:21:00 - The value of the heart of a God-fearing man
00:24:00 - A daughter’s perspective
00:45:30 - A word of advice to spouses of law enforcement
00:49:00 - The last moment together
00:50:15 - The phone call
00:52:00 - The arrival at the hospital
01:10:00 -Anger, regret & sadness
01:12:00 - Bear hugs
01:15:00 - After care
01:17:00 - The legacy of leadership and humility
01:19:55 - Prayer
In honor of Sergeant Steve C. Owen, Los Angeles County Sheriff
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, California
End of Watch Wednesday, October 5, 2016
Officer Andre Burton is a Field Training Officer in the LAPD. His passion for his career goes back into a rich family history of first responders in the City of Los Angeles.
Timestamp:
00:01:38 – Podcast guest open invite!
00:02:11 – The start of a career in law enforcement
00:03:13 – A deeply rooted family affair
00:05:45 – Love story of Ruby Earl Boyd, one of the first Black sheriff to patrol Firestone
00:07:00 – Patrolling the streets and coming across living history
00:09:00 – A sign of the times “Draw down”
00:13:00 – Dorothy Fitzgerald
00:14:00 – The Fire Academy vs Police Academy
00:16:00 – Ancestry and memorabilia
00:18:26 – The good ol’ pension. Worth a gander.
00:21:00 – Street cop vs. promotions
00:23:00 – Observing FTO culture
00:25:00 – How a trainee learns
00:28:00 – Recounting podcast with Sheriff Villanueva
00:30:00 – Passion, motivation & defining a good street cop.
00:37:00 – 2014, a tragic year for LAPD
00:39:00 – Pursuits, ambushes, OIS’s & the emotions that follow
00:53:00 – Chris closes out with a follow up invitation
THE FALLEN BUT NOT FORGOTTEN PODCAST:
Military, Law Enforcement & a Horse Named Lyra
David O’Brien is a United States Marine and an LAPD Police Officer. He has worked the Gang Unit and is currently assigned to night watch patrol.
Timestamps:
00:01:18 The Clapperboard Intro
A gift from Chris's spirit sister, which adds a professional touch to this laidback podcast of sharing memories, experiences and riveting moments of a patrolman's career
00:01:47 - Natalie Blue
00:03:30 - Horses and dogs
00:16:30 - Military vs. Law Enforcement
00:28:00 - Purpose and navigating trauma
00:36:00 - The mindset & deadly force
00:45:00 - Tradition
00:49:00 - Leadership
00:56:00 - (video goes out-audio only)
00:57:45 - Fear
1:01:00 - Cloning complacent officers
1:06:00 - The 5 Commandments
1:09:00 - Discipline
1:15:00 - Culture
1:22:00 - Legacy
1:27:00 - O'Brien dedicates this podcast to Police Officer II Fernando Uriel Arroyos End of Watch January 10, 2022
THE FALLEN BUT NOT FORGOTTEN PODCAST
Summary:
Patrick Sloey is a Field Training Officer for the Los Angeles Police Department. He has worked multiple agencies and now trains probationers on how to be proficient street coppers. We work side-by-side on patrol. We do a deep dive into self-care and managing the inevitable traumas that come with police work both in the professional life and the personal life.
Time stamp
00:01:26 - Neon moon by Brooks & Dunn
00:02:31 - "Meditations" by Marcus Aurelius
00:05:21 - Strength through support systems
00:10:00 - Career choices
00:14:00 - Adapt or drown
00:18:20 - The "Almost" incident
00:27:00 - Managing the feelings
00:30:00 - Preventive care & a personal trainer
00:35:00 - The stigma of therapy
00:42:50 - Drinking responsibly
00:43:55 - Podcast Dedication: Sgt Adrian Jordan, EOW December 29th 2024
thefallenbutnotforgottenpodcast #bluecoatfoundation #stress #selfcare #policeofficer #podcast #lawenforcement
On this episode I sat down with Christian Wecker. Wecker authored the book, THE TICKET, and has over 30-years law enforcement experience. 3 of those years are with MTA and 27 years are with the LAPD. He’s worked 77th, Harbor, Newton, Wilshire and is currently assigned to the Los Angeles Police Protective League.
Timestamp & Topics
00:01:16 - TC at Crenshaw & Florence
00:03:00 - When a call for help takes a turn
00:04:30 - Why Promote?
00:06:20 - Street Cop Pride
00:07:25 - The art of storytelling
00:11:29 - Self publishing
00:14:00 - Non-cops & the inside view
00:16:00 - Promotion & disconnect
00:19:00 - Impossible circumstances & doing the right thing
00:23:52 - Relationships: command staff vs street coppers
00:32:00 - Empathy
00:34:00 - Alcoholism & mental wellness
00:39:00 - Policing with confidence
00:44:00 - Deadly force
00:47:00 - Transitioning out of the police profession
00:54:00 - Podcast dedication: Officer Ricardo Lizarraga, EOW February 20, 2004
On September 11th 2024 we hosted our 3rd Annual honor workout, THE DOM, in conjunction with our 3rd PROJECT ENDURE.
Officer Joe Cirrito completed a 24-hour workout in honor of his friend, Dominic Pezullo, who died in the line-of-duty when the Twin Towers fell on 9/11.
During the event, I had the honor to talk with a 27-year retired police officer from the same police department Officer Pezullo was from, The Port Authority Police Department.
Robert (Bobby) Egbert was there on 9/11. We talk about his experience that day and how it has affected his life since. I want to thank Bobby for being so open and honest with such a sensitive topic.
Bobby dedicates this podcast to the 65 Port Authority police officers who have died in the line-of-duty, especially the PAPD 37 who perished on 9/11.
Timestamps:
00:01:38 “The Dom”
00:03:15 The power of remembering our police lineage. “…working in the shadows of incredible heroes.”
00:04:54 LAPD Officer Joe Cirrito
00:09:25 Becoming a cop.
00:12:00 Choices made on 9/11
00:14:00 Deploying to The World Trade Center
0030:00 Trauma & balance.
00:32:00 The power of talking it out.
00:34:00 Unbecoming: When do we become human again?
00:36:00 The Gift of Acceptance
00:38:00 Surrounded by death.
00:40:00 The culture and the mindset
00:42:00 The Holy S*#t Factor
00:46:00 Empathy is not possible, and that’s ok.
00:50:00 Mental Health
00:52:00 Suicide
01:02:00 The reality of an OIS (officer involved shooting) and critical incidents.
01:13:00 Gratitude and a lesson learned: “The World Trade Center” vs “Ground Zero”
01:17:00 Big City vs Small Town policing
01:18:00 Podcast dedication
01:22:00 Captain Kathy Mazza
Some of Bobby’s publishings:
Running to honor the fallen - American Police Beat Magazine
https://apbweb.com/2018/11/running-to-honor-the-fallen/
Where our stories are - American Police Beat Magazine
https://apbweb.com/2024/05/where-our-stories-are/
https://apbweb.com/2019/08/rebuilding-after-9-11/
Misunderstood - American Police Beat Magazine
https://apbweb.com/2023/07/misunderstood/
Safety pin - American Police Beat Magazine
https://apbweb.com/2023/05/safety-pin/
https://apbweb.com/2023/02/keys/
The Deuce - American Police Beat Magazine
https://apbweb.com/2022/10/the-deuce/
My 9/11 — well, what I remember of it - American Police Beat Magazine
https://apbweb.com/2022/09/my-9-11-well-what-i-remember-of-it/
In memory of a homeless veteran - American Police Beat Magazine
https://apbweb.com/2019/11/in-memory-of-a-homeless-veteran/
Shad Stilkey and I, Chris Jay, have a nostalgic conversation with retired LAPD Lieutenant Barbara.
Dedicated to Police Officer Vincent Lawrence Leusch, EOW Sept 22, 1075
Timeline:
01:14 - For the love of gaming
07:44 - 1968: The Beginning of a Career
08:20 - Day-1 on the Beat
17:00 - Watts Riots
23:12 - The 1992 LA Riots
27:18 - The leadership of Chief Gates
28:41 - Woman in Law Enforcement
34:10 - Fallen Officer Vince Leusch
35:58 - LAPD Station Names
38:56 - Body Armor
45:04 - The impact of being off-duty when a partner officer goes down
46:42 - Hand to hand combat training, then vs now
51:04 - Lethal vs non-lethal
52:47 - Bell bottoms vs Flares
54:44 - Being a cop in the 70's
56:13 - The change in the 80's
57:00 - From Revolvers to 92F’s
1:00:17 - Lt Barabara saves Chris J
1:06:11 - The importance of taking care of each other
1:08:19 - Radio frequencies and radio traffic
1:11:18 - A valuable lesson: "She is your lifeline"
01:13:57 - Low tech policing
01:23:38 - Change
01:28:39 - Favorite Police Epoch
01:29:36 - The meaning of life
THE FALLEN BUT NOT FORGOTTEN PODCAST:
“Second Roll Call”, with Alex Villanueva.
For the first time we recorded an episode with a live audience! To watch the video of the recording, click here: https://youtu.be/_wC_azpHH20?si=38SlsPORkcTdwVwY
On this episode we dive into former Sheriff Villanueva’s climb through the ranks, the future of policing & navigating line-of-duty deaths as the top sheriff.
Guest:
Alex Villanueva Former Sheriff of LA County
Co-Hosts:
•Richard Medina, LAPD Officer & surviving partner of Fallen Officer Roberto Sanchez •Joe Cirrito, LAPD Officer & friend of Fallen Officer Dominic Pezullo
Time-stamps:
00:01:19 Welcome
00:01:45 "Alex, will work" A humble down to earth start with Alex Villanueva, Former Los Angeles County Sheriff
00: 02:33 Fallen Officer Fernando Arroyo
00:03:00 Panel Introductions
00:03:44 Alex’s career path
00:06:30 Alex meets his wife, Vivian.
00:10:20 The "Rude awakening" of the 2014 Rosehedge active shooter
00:12:30 Overcoming adversity, the one thing Alex couldn't be stopped from doing.
00:14:00 A vison of change.
00:15:18 "Top dog”
00:15:57 Policing, 5-years from now.
00:20:54 Law enforcement as a career choice today.
00:24:00 Loss
00:30:00 Advice for agency leaders
00:36:00 Covid.
00:41:00 Richard Medina: Living after surviving
00:44:20 PTSD, it's perfectly ok, and The Resiliency Project
00:47:00 Joe Cirrito’s passion.
00:52:30 Back to the love story
00:53:00 Encouragement
00:55:30 Quick fire questions
Timeline:
0:0:08 Introduction.
0:00:53 Who is Father Hicks?
0:05:29 Personal triumphs
0:06:58 Hardly Davidson life
0:09:40 His mission
00:14:56 The power of prayer
00:21:00 Survival techniques
00:24:57 On duty suicide
00:26:00 Dark times, solitary souls & alcoholism
00:34:28 Therapy & mental health
00:36:00 Weakness & Remedies
00:38:00 Father Hicks’ Dedication.
00:40:00 Who does Father Hicks go to when he is in need?
00:42:00 Quick-fire questions
00:43:37 The meaning of life
00:44:18 Closing prayer
On this episode, we sit down yet again with Richard Medina, this time in his cozy garage. We chatt & riff over a cigar, a whisky & anything that comes across our minds.
In honor of his partner, Officer Roberto Sanchez, we included the YouTube video made in remembrance.
Special thanks to:
•Johnny Castro Art, for allowing us to use his amazing drawings.
• Equipe Athletics, for their continued support in creating our shirts.
https://equipeathletics.com/
• Claudia Moreno, for her unending dedication with time-stamping our podcasts.
__________________________
Outline & Timestamps:
________________________
01:54 - Hitting stogies and reminiscing
02:16 -Getting comfortable with public speaking as a survivor
12:25 - The power of writing, journaling & documenting
16:35 - It can be scary to open that door.
18:00 - The debate over what it takes to make a difference, organized and orchestrated over genuine passion.
29:01 - Who needs fancy wireless equipment, background, and scripts?
30:50 - Super Bowl, priorities, time management.
32:15 - A taste of the Stay - At - Home Dad Life.
32:36 - Chris wears an apron.
33:00 - Richard weighs out his future professional moves.
34:25 - The responsibility and the dedication to the upcoming generations.
36:16 - Training probationers as a survivor
38:44 - Patrol culture and specialized units.
40:12 - Is Chris a stage 5 clinger? What will you do when you leave your police career?
~Break~
44:24 - Chris introduces the official team running shirt, which was created for the Puerto Rico Honor Run
48:48 - Is Chris's brain too structured?
49:47 - Social Media: Friend or foe?
1:02:01 - 2024 Police Unity Tour
1:09:25 - The plans for the future are about timing.
1:10:00 - Revisiting the framing of a podcast
1:12:00 - Drinking the Kool Aid w
1:16:51 - Awkward silence as Chris Gazes into Richard's eyes.
1:17:20 - Future topics, whiskey makes the mouth dirty.
1:18:45 - What is the meaning of life?
1:19:08 - Honoring Officer Robert Sanchez
https://youtu.be/vctCjIDv7yc?si=USiiLrjgJ32jqH1w
Officer Lizarraga passed away in the line-of-duty on Friday, February 20th, 2004. I sat down and spoke with his partner, Joel Ruiz. His story is an inspirational one about healing, camaraderie and about the strong bonds of a police partnership.
Outline & Timestamps:
2:00 - “Inked in Honor”: Tattoos, connections & friendships are made. (Side note- To date Bluecoat Foundation is the only organization that puts this together)
4:00 - Project Endure 2
5:03 - Officer Lizarraga: Loyalty, making history & white chocolate mochas.
17:35 - Going Through the Motions in the Aftermath.
20:26 - Overcoming "The dark place" and survivor's guilt.
26:47 - Becoming that person that can reach out to others in need
30:00 - Debriefing after critical incident
32:26 - Receiving words of affirmation from seasoned officers.
34:20 - How can officers that work with surviving partners help?
38:00 - Backtracking to patrol days with Officer Lizarraga and the Bad Ass swivel Holster
39:44 - Officer Lizarraga's sense of humor
41:00 - Talking to Lizarraga, even today, as a way to cope
42:37 - Believing in signs :"The Chubby Bird".
46:20 - Getting that "Kick in the pants".
48:30 - Replaying scenarios in our heads.
56:32 - Bringing two cultures together Tattoo artist & Law Enforcement
01:00 - Signature drink and the meaning of others keeping the memory alive.
THE FALLEN BUT NOT FORGOTTEN PODCAST - Spanglish Edition -
“Being Shot, Losing Brothers in Battle & Healing” with Policia Angel L Colon-Guevara from Policia Estatal de Puerto Rico
This podcast is dedicated to:
The 3 officers who died in the line-of-duty during the same incident where Officer Colon-Guevara was shot:
Agent Luis A. Marrero-Díaz
EOW:1/11/21
Agent Eliezer Hernández-Cartagena EOW:1/11/21
Agent Luis X. Salamán-Conde.
EOW:1/11/21
In addition, this podcast is dedicated to Lt. Juan Baez Guerra, who recently passed. He played a father figure role for Officer through the aftermath of the incident on 1/11/21.
Outline & Timestamps:
2:45 - Becoming a cop and assignments with the Puerto Rico State Police
4:22 - Being shot on duty.
11:28 - When things don't go as planned
14:52 - Coming out of self blame.
16:35 - Importance of family support through critical incidents
19:24 - Running in 2025
21:00 - Pride doesn't allow Chris to be picked up in the “wawa” (PR term for “van”)
22:07 - Ride alongs
22:50 - Crime trends, growing population of youth offenders.
27:58 - Life, goals & prioritizing family
31:24 - Motivation on the hardest days
32:13 - Podcast Dedication
Claudia Moreno, former police officer with Fresno PD, co-hosts an interview with Chaplain Wilson Rios. Chaplain Wilson started the nonprofit, Policia TSU, an organization that is committed to remember, honor and immortalize the memory of fallen officers in Puerto Rico. https://www.facebook.com/groups/535728907448061/
We end the podcast with a song by Natalie Blue, who will perform an acoustic set for an upcoming Bluecoat Foundation Fundraiser. https://www.natalieblue.com/
This podcast is dedicated to:
Agente José Ferrer-Pabón
EOW 12/24/21
https://www.odmp.org/officer/25814-agent-jos-ferrer-pabn
&
Sargento Erasmo García- Torres
EOW 6/10/2021
https://www.odmp.org/officer/25321-sergeant-erasmo-garca-torres
Outline & Timestamps:
3:49 - Policia TSU (Todos Somos Uno)
6:10 - Inspiration for starting the non profit organization
10:43 - How connecting with surviving loved ones influenced and shaped the organization
13:10 - Chaplain follows his calling from Chaplain to Law Enforcement Chaplain
16:30 - Facing obstacles of church and state
18:10 - Overcoming obstacles
18:30 - The inclusivity and broad reach of a Chaplain
28:00 - Importance of genuine passion when running a non-profit
29:30 - Vision for Policia TSU
31:00 - Limitations to the resources of Police in Puerto Rico
32:37 - Importance of transparency
34:00 - Expanding the Blue line beyond the funeral
39:00 - Dedication
41:00 Woodworking
Chief Ruben Moyeno is the Chief of Police of the Municipal Police of Carolina Puerto Rico with 37-years of experience. I had the absolute honor to talk to him and talk about his life, experience, his role as a police chief and about the 3 fallen officers that were in his command.
We are joined by a special co-host, Claudia Moreno, who is a former police officer for Fresno PD in Central California.
(Due to connectivity issues, some portions at the beginning of the podcast are sharply cut and edited)
OUTLINE:
=== Recorded on Sunday Oct 29th 2023===
0:55-Leadership Style
3:25- Background, becoming a cop and moving up the ranks
7:43- Chief Moyeno talks about being a patrol cop in Puerto Rico
10:45 - Chief Moyeno talks briefly about his Narcotics Detail experience
11:43- Police jurisdictional responsibilities in Puerto Rico
12:37- Chief Moyeno talks about his personal officer-involved-shootings and how they have affected his approach as a police chief when his own officers are involved in shootings
20:30- History lesson in Puerto Rican police Identity in relation to the USA.
27:25 - Chief Moyeno talks about the officers he honored during Police Week & The Police Unity Tour.
31:44- Navigating emotions of a fallen officer as a Chief of Police.
37:25-Advice for police chiefs
39:20- Maintaining motivation and morale within a police family that is simultaneously grieving.
40:48- The Honor Run in Puerto Rico
Officer Pezzulo was a police officer for the Port Authority Police Department in New York. He was a school teacher before he became an officer. Just one year into his career change, he died in the line-of-duty on 9/11 when the World Trade Center towers collapsed.
We interviewed Officer Pezzulo's friend and fellow teacher, Offiicer Joe Cirrito, who then became a police officer on the LAPD with a mission in mind to keep Officer Pezzulo's memory alive.
Officer Cirrito shares some great memories of his friend and tells us who Dominick Pezzulo was as a person, a teacher, a cop and as a friend.
On this episode we bring together two former guests of our podcasts. Claudia Moreno and Joel Ruiz honor their parters, Officer Jonathan Diaz and Officer Ricardo Lizarraga.
They met during a particularly emotional moment at Bluecoat Foundation's Inked in Honor 2021.Through this meeting they have formed a strong bond. They come together here to remember their partners and to offer their own experiences to help others.
Officer Michael Lee Edwards was killed in the line-of-duty on May 11th 1974 at the age of 25. His case remains unsolved to this day. Officer Edward's tour of duty was 5 years and he is survived by his wife and two children.
We interviewed his daughter, Tobie Edwards, and her sister, Brandi Edwards live at 2021's INKED IN HONOR. They received matching tattoos which read, "Elvis Lives" in his honor.
Deputy Hudnall died in the line-of-duty on Tuesday November 14th 2006 by way of a traffic collision with a drunk driver. His tour of duty was 9-years. He was 43-years old and is survived by his wife, four children, one grandson, two sisters, and his mother.
We interviewed his son, Chancellor Hudnall, who was 2-years old at the time of the incident.
On this episode we honor Deputy Jerry Ortiz of the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department. Deputy Ortiz died in the line-of-duty on June 24th, 2005.
We talk to his brother, Art Ortiz, about who Deputy Ortiz a person and as a deputy. Art shares how he got through the toughest times of this tragedy by his faith and by the support of his family and friends.
We also want to honor Art's brother-in-law, Officer Manuel Gonzalez who was a California Corrections officer. Officer Gonzalez died in the line-of-duty 6-months prior to Deputy Ortiz passing away.
May they both rest in peace. As Art puts it, they are both "Eternally on Watch."
According to Blueline H.E.L.P., the officers who have passed away this year due to suicide is at 59. That means every 2 and a half days an officer in America tragically commits suicide. There is a direct correlation between the stress of police work and officer related suicide deaths that is either unrealized or simply ignored in our society. Now more that ever there needs to be honest discussion about this topic. As the writer of Burden Beyond the Badge discusses in the blog entitled, Law Enforcement and Suicide: Scott's Story, "We need to readjust our perspectives if we want to bring change to the normality of this phenomenon in law enforcement"
On this podcast interview we speak to Crystal Giles. She is the widow of Cpl. Jonathan Giles. Crystal supported Bluecoat Foundation's 2nd Project Endure by feeding the whole volunteer team during one of our rest stops! She is an awesome human being and passionate about this particular topic.
Crystal is a wealth of knowledge about the statistics of police suicide, which is an important first step to alleviating this dilemma. Her bravery during this conversation is to be commended and I hope it brings value to many people listening.
Cpl. Jonathan Giles was hired as a sworn officer on 07/22/13. He served on the Kings County SWAT in 2016 and was a mentor for Police Explorers. He had 5-years on the job and is survived by his wife and three children.
EOW: 11/07/18
Special musical tribute by Rain Bisou (covering Boys 2 Men).
Email: Crystalg@BlueHelp.org
Facebook: Blue Help
Website: https://bluehelp.org/blue-help-regions/california/
On this podcast we sit down with 3 police officers who are surviving partners of 3 separate Fallen Officers. Their individual incidents are different, but their journey has a powerful common thread. We hope this powerful discussion can help others who might be going through some of the same pains that they went through.
Support! Subscribe! Share!
"War Story"
Definition: a story of a memorable personal experience typically involving an element of danger, hardship, or adventure. -Merriam Webster
I was recently on the podcast WAR STORIES OFFICIAL PODCAST https://warstoriesofficial.podbean.com
Tom and Chuck are the hosts of this podcast which brings together police, veterans and firefighters to talk about the war stories that shape the lives of first responders.
These tales are more than simple stories. They are the common thread that binds a culture of people who bravely face evil and danger as part of their duty. I had a great time being interviewed and conversing with them about a few "war stories" of my own.
Check out their podcast! Support! Subscribe! Share!
PROJECT ENDURE:
Raising Feats for the Fallen Blue
Los Angeles to Sacramento • 2016
Bluecoat Foundation (formerly known as BlueCoatMusic) embarked on a journey that would change the lives of many. Two police officers ran from Los Angeles to Sacramento in full uniform in honor of those in law enforcement who have died in the line-of-duty.
We plan to make a documentary about this project. The effort to get these officers safely to their destination took the effort of almost 50 volunteers who were divided into 7-teams.
On today’s podcast we air the audio of an unedited team interview we recorded back in January of 2017. It reveals the highs and lows that the team went through during the two days they were in charge.
Thank you for listening and supporting what we do.
Team-4:
Nancy Rodriguez-Team Captain
Marissa Peralez- Safety Officer
Danny Garcia- Social Media
David Schmitt- Safety Ofcr
She was 12-years old when her father, a retired Santa Monica PD officer, was murdered. She later became a police officer for the same agency her father had served.
Cristina almost met the same fate as her father when she was shot in a gun battle on the Santa Monica Pier. The incident almost caused her to lose her arm.
With the inspiration of her fathers memory, Cristina’s fought against all odds. She not only was able to work hard enough in physical therapy to keep her arm, but she also was able to get back on the streets as a cop!
Cristinas story is truly inspirational, to say the least.
We hope you enjoy.
The number of law enforcement line-of-duty deaths has more than doubled since Covid-19 began.
LEO’s have had to deal with a new & deadly enemy. An enemy for which their conventional tactics are not prepared for.
Luckily there are unsung heroes like Adam Ryder who are on the frontline of this pandemic in support first responders.
Adam is the founder of a nonprofit called FLATTEN THE CURVE which provides Covid-19 support where resources are lacking.
Along with supporting Bluecoat Foundation, Adam’s efforts have saved countless lives.
Please support his efforts by following, sharing & donating what you can to his nonprofit.
www.ftcngo.org
IG @ftg_ngo
“When I hear of OIS’s when officers are shot in the line-of-duty and they make it, I always say...Liz said, ‘Not today. Nobody else is coming up here today’”
-Joel Ruiz
Officer Lizarraga passed away in the line-of-duty on Friday, February 20th, 2004.
I sat down and spoke with his partner, Joel Ruiz. His story is an inspirational one about healing, camaraderie and about the strong bonds of a police partnership.
Project Endure is an event that Bluecoat Foundation has put together twice since the inception of the nonprofit. It is not merely a physically tough challenge, it is one that pushes the participants to the very thresholds of their physical capability.
The physical pain endured during these ultra difficult projects are designed so that not just anybody can do it. It takes certain individuals to be able to complete them. And it is all done to honor our heroes who have lost their lives in the line-of-duty.
Our second Project Endure, entitled PROJECT ENDURE: ROAD TO NEWMAN ,was a 3-day cycling tour from Los Angeles to Newman, California in the Central Valley. The ride was completed on a single-speed bicycle. While Bluecoat Foundation went live on all it's platforms for our supporters to watch, our volunteer team behind the scenes worked tirelessly to make sure every aspect of this ride was safe and organized.
This team interview you will hear on this podcast was recorded only a couple of weeks after the event. It is only a part of the interview. We plan to make a full documentary of it and of our first Project Endure too.
At the end of the podcast we feature a performance by Carol Davis. She is a police officer and a talented singer who has performed on several of our charity events.
We sat down with Autumn Stars, (AKA: Janet McKinney). Autumn worked the same shift as Officer Navidad. She was one of the first police units to arrive at scene the night of his passing. For the first time in her life, Autumn opens up about her experience on that tragic night.
She also speaks openly and honestly about the pains that follow such an event. In her journey to heal, Autumn has gained tremendous knowledge on the affects of PTSD and how it manifests years after tragedy.
We also speak about Officer Navidad as a person and as a police officer.
Officer Navidad was shot in the line-of-duty on Sunday December 22, 1996 by a suspect who had just stolen beer. His parter returned fire and killed the suspect. Officer Navidad did not survive. He is survived by his wife and two children.
I hope this episode can help anyone in the country or even around the world who may be in the same place Autumn was almost 25 years ago.
On this episode we honor Cpl Ronil Singh.
On Wednesday December 26th 2018, Corporal Ronil Singh was shot and killed while conducting a vehicle stop at the intersection of Merced Street and Eucalyptus Avenue shortly before 1:00 am. At 33 years old, he had 12-years on the job. He is survived by his wife and 6-month old son.
Today we went on a Zoom interview with Ronil's brother, Reggie Singh. We remember the life of Cpl. Singh. Reggie provides a profound perspective on dealing with a line-of-duty death.
We hope this interview can help others that may be going through the same unfortunate experience.
“The hardest part wasn’t walking away from it. It's living with it after”
-Richard Medina
On today’s podcast we interview Richard Medina and we honor his partner, Fallen Officer Roberto Sanchez.
Both were involved in a tragic incident in 2014 where their police car was purposely struck. Roberto did not survive the collision.
Joining us on the interview is Richard’s wife, Sarah, and a prior guest on our podcast, Stephanie Galicia. Stephanie is the partner of Fallen Officer Nick Lee. Both of their police partners passed away in the line-of-duty in 2014.
Join us as we discuss new Friendships, Inspiration & the beginning of a nonprofit.
We touch on topics such as trauma, helplessness, staying on patrol after tragedy and the confusing role a spouse takes on.
Discussing early frustrations and how a department can improve in helping survivors was a tough subject but an important one. We even dive into perspectives on taking photos at work and social media. Saving memories took on a whole new dynamic and a whole new meaning.
And of course, we talk about who Roberto Sanchez was.
This podcast is brutally honest and inspirational. There were moments of tears and moments of clarity. Although the topic itself is necessarily a sad story, the bravery from Richard, Sarah and Stephanie to speak about it so openly says tons about their bravery as they each go through their individual processes of mourning and acceptance.
Mike Wang is the CEO of Innocent Armor. https://innocentarmor.com/
We have a short discussion about our collaborations, his product and heroism amongst law enforcement and in the civilian world.
This episode is dedicated to Retired LAPD Sgt Peter Llanes.
(This episode is unedited. It will be updated at a later time)
Steve Gould & Ken Roybal host the growing podcast, "Things Police See". I was on their podcast twice. Once as a guest and once as a co-host.
Steve is a former police officer who also worked as a backgrounds investigator.
Ken is a retired LAPD officer who also worked as a background investigator. When Ken was an active LEO, he also ran the Explorer Program for inner city youth. In fact, he was my YSO (Youth Service Officer) when I was an Explorer in the mid 90's.
On this episode we discuss the differences of being a street cop in the 1980's vs today. Along with some "war stories", we also go over such topics as the stigma of PTSD and mental health concerns of those in law enforcement. We discuss how the Explorer Program has changed and how it helped me while growing up with the stress of inner city life. We touch on leadership (or the lack of) in the ranks of modern police departments.
This episode is dedicated to LAPD Lt. John Desmond.
Things Police See: First Hand Accounts Podcast: https://thingspolicesee.libsyn.com/#:~:text=Former%20Massachusetts%20police%20officer%20Steve,the%20officers%20that%20experienced%20them.
On this podcast Andrew Gonzalez joins me as a co-host as we interview Marilyn.
Marilyn is a powerful role-model for woman in law enforcement. She is a police officer, an athlete and the owner of a clothing line for woman called Red White and Blueline. We talk about mindset, physical fitness & entrepreneurship.
Please support LEO owned businesses: Red White and Blueline
https://redwhiteandblueline.com/
Episode dedicated to Fallen LAPD Officer Valentin Martinez, EOW: 07.24.20
We interviewed Officer Claudia Moreno. She is the co-worker & close friend of Fallen Police Officer Elmer Jonathan Diaz from the Lemoore Police Department in California.
Officer Diaz lost this life while intervening in a domestic violence incident while off- duty. He was 31-years old, had 6-years on the job and is survived by his 3-children, parents & 3-siblings.
This was a heartfelt conversation about the good person Jonathan was. We also discuss the circumstances surrounding the incident that took place. We did so in order to hopefully provide insight & perspective when it comes to off-duty tactics & relations.
After the interview we feature the music of Abby Walters.
Podcast on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/3TAqAi4WiqtI5MWoxwZ74m?si=zUINmCsKSrKo4SGUnVRzmg
Abby Walters Music:
https://open.spotify.com/artist/5yTqhT4uBRadtQlJFZkJGr?si=ttzes4TWR62w92b-rrqdBw
Thank you for supporting.
Officer Greggory Casillas died in the line-of-duty on Friday March 9th, 2018 by way of gunfire at the age of 30. He had only 6-months on the job and left behind a wife and two children.
His death inspired his cousin, Natalie, to make a complete 180 degree turn in her career path. She spent many years studying diligently in order to earn her Masters Degree and become a clinical therapist. After the unfortunate circumstances, she made it her mission to become a police officer in honor of her cousin.
We sat down for a very personal look at her young career as an officer and how her cousin's death has played a role in how she navigates through police work.
On this day we honored Cpl. Ronil Singh of the Newman Police Department. Although none of us knew him personally, his story inspired many of us. One particular person who was moved by Cpl. Singh is Officer Andrew Gonzalez of the Los Angeles Police Department. Officer Gonzalez has been on the job for 21-1/2 years. He is also a United States Marine Corp Veteran.
We discuss his bicycle ride from Los Angeles to Newman in California. He rode on a single speed bike to honor the life of Cpl. Singh. We discuss important topics in police culture such as job-related PTSD, anxiety and depression. Officer Gonzalez gets extremely personal about his own journey with these serious issues and how cycling has helped him cope.
We want to thank the Singh family for allowing us to pay tribute to Ronil and the life he lived.
Project Endure: Road to Newman
https://youtu.be/gi98nmZaiVY
Featuring the music of Carmel Helene.
https://youtu.be/3nlkOGTzHX0
We interviewed LAPD Officer Stephanie Galicia. Officer Galicia was involved in a traffic collision in 2014 while on duty. She was on probation during the accident. Her partner and training officer, Nicholas Lee, did not survive the crash.
Officer Galicia gives an honest account of what life was like after the accident. She provides brutally honest insight to her personal struggles as a surviving partner. Her invaluable first hand experience, along with her efforts to be open about her journey are courageous, to say the least.
We hope this interview helps future LEO's who might encounter similar struggles. We also hope her story can provide enlightened perspectives for those in law enforcement who hold positions to make positive changes when it comes to these inevitable events.
Thank you for supporting what we do.
On this interview we talk to Rebecca Escobar. She is the cousin of Fallen Officer Fil Cuesta of the Los Angeles Police Department and creator of the handcrafted memorial, "Windows of the Begotten Blue".
We speak about what "Never Forget" means and how it transforms years following a line-of-duty death.
Today we interviewed Jenelle Batchelor. She is the aunt of Fallen Officer Tara Christina O’Sullivan from the Sacramento Police Department in California.
Officer O’Sullivan was 26-years old and had 6-months as a police officer when she was killed in the line-of-duty on Wednesday June 19th 2019.
She speaks bravely about how she went from the “why” to “how”. HOW can she help others and HOW she can always remember her niece.
Jenelle describes to us how Tara was always goofy, always smiling and loved to dance.
_______________________________________
“She only had 6-months on duty but she wanted to change the world.”
-Jenelle Batchelor
______________________________________
Today we interviewed Kat Matthews. She is the academy classmate and friend of Fallen Officer Christy Hamilton. Officer Hamilton was the oldest recruit in her academy class who joined as soon as her department changed the maximum age policy. We discuss Kat's relationship with Officer Hamilton and how she navigated her police career with the loss of her friend so early in their probationary period.
We interviewed Krista. She is the eldest of 4 children whose father was killed in the line-of-duty on Thursday March 3rd 1983. Officer Davey worked for the Alameda Police Department in California. He had 10-years on the job and was 33 years old at the time of his death.
We spoke about her memories of her father and how he inspired her own career in law enforcement. We also spoke about the hardships of her life without her father and how that shaped her positive outlook on life.
We feature the music of Christy Huff who is a long time supporter of what our nonprofit stands for.
Please support by downloading, subscribing and sharing our podcast as Bluecoat Foundation looks to live up to our mission statement, "Honoring the Legacy of Heroes."
On this episode we honor the life of Fallen Police Officer Paul Verna by interviewing his son, Officer Bryce Verna, who followed in his father's footsteps.
Bryce talks about his father as an officer and as a person and how that inspired his own path to becoming a police officer. He also gives insight on growing up as the child of a father who died in the line-of-duty.
We feature the music of Payton Howie. Payton has donated her time for our fundraisers by performing her music live and on our social media live platforms.
Please enjoy as Bluecoat Foundation looks to live up to it's mission statement, "Honoring the Legacy of Heroes".