First Responder Stories Episodes

Police Sergeant and He's a Singer Songwriter. Metro Nashville Police Sergeant Henry Particelli is our guest. He breaks most of the commonly held stereotypes about police. Henry originally from Canada, was a professional singer - songwriter in Nashville before becoming a Police Officer at age 40. He discusses his feelings about the killing of George Floyd and how that inspired his song "Your Name". Background song Hurricane is used with permission from the band Dark Horse Flyer. If you enjoy th...

Killer Shot a Police Officer In The Face. Shocking Treatment By The City. Former Police Officer Cheryl Nici-O’Connell is our guest. She tells about being shot in the face, her recovery and the shocking treatment by the City govt. In 1984 in Richmond Virginia, while working in uniform, she was ambushed and shot in the face by a mass murderer. Cheryl talks about her the shocking treatment by the city afterwards, her miraculous on going recovery and how she still works to help others. Background s...

Rich Wistocki is our guest. As a retired Police Detective, he has many years of experience investigating and protecting children from internet predators. While he still works as a consultant to keep children safe online, his own recovery from police related trauma has motivated him to spend much of his time to saving the lives of law enforcement, firefighters, military veterans and other first responders from the often devastating physical and mental health effects caused by trauma. You can help...

Homeless Man and Police Officer Became Friends. His Small Size Hid A Huge History. David Yuzuk, retired Aventura Police Officer, is our guest. He talks about his police career and how he became friends with a small homeless man in his patrol area. They would often eat dinner together and during that time, he learned that his friend, despite his very small stature had a huge history. His name was Richard Flaherty and he was the shortest American Combat Veteran in history at that time. He also bec...

Pasquale "Pat" Russo, is our guest. Pat is a retired N.Y.P.D. Sergeant. During his career he became heavily involved in the N.Y.P.D. Boxing Program for at risk youth. He was also part of the first group of Community Patrol Officer Program (C-POP) in NY. Pat talks about how he got involved in the N.Y.P.D. Boxing program that was designed to help at risk youth. In addition to talking about the importance of these programs, Pat also discusses how the nationwide trend of defunding police can effect ...

My Toughest Days as a State Trooper and D.E.A. Agent. Larry Forletta is our guest. He is a former Maryland State Police Trooper and a retired U.S. D.E.A. agent. After retiring he started working as a private investigator and has been part of several high profile cases, one of which was the “Smiley Face Killer”. Larry talks about the Hollywood myths about police, federal agents and private eyes. He talks about the differences in State Police and the D.E.A. academies and his toughest days as a Tro...

Police Officer, From the NYPD to Fighting Terrorism In Baghdad. Retired NYPD Sergeant Chris Strom is our guest. He talks about his career in the N.Y.P.D. and the climate that cops face today. Chris discusses how his years of policing in NYC helped him become part of an elite counter terrorism team in Baghdad, Iraq. He talks about the similarities and the differences and the life and death realities that they faced in NY and Baghdad. Chris also talks about the book he co-authored about his experi...

Hardest Day as a Sheriff's Deputy, Giving Back To Help Others. Chris Thorp is our guest. He is a retired law enforcement officer from the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Dept. Chris talks about his career and his hardest day as a cop. In addition he talks about his desire and continuing drive to say thank you to law enforcement officers across the Country. Chris talks extensively about Operation Enduring Warrior - Task Force Sentinel and their programs to help military veterans, first responders and law...

Police Officers During The Pandemic, Realities They Faced. An active duty Law Enforcement Officer is our guest on the show. Due to the fact that he is an active officer we must call him John Doe to protect his identity. He talks about the current situation of policing during the global Covid-19 pandemic. From P.P.E. use while on duty, to the risks that our law enforcement officers and other first responders face. Plus the added stress for them and their family members. If you enjoy the show, pl...

Heroin and Opiods Battle, Effects of Trauma on First Responders. Filmmaker Conrad Weaver and Police Officer Desiree Palmer are our guests. While filming the documentary Heroins Grip, Conrad met Desiree. They describe the devastation caused by the heroin and opiate addiction problem. During the filming of that documentary, he became aware of the crushing PTSD problem that is occurring within our first responder ranks, and he started to work on his next film PTSD911. Off. Palmer talks about her ef...

Trauma for Police Officers And Other First Responders. Cathy and Javier Bustos, a married couple, have both been law enforcement officers with more than 45 years combined experience. During their police careers they have both been through several traumaticincidents. They discuss the solutions they have found that helped them as individuals and as a couple. Cathy and Javi also talk about their passion for helping law enforcement officers, other first responders with their work as “That Peer Suppo...

Couple Overcomes the Challenges of Police Officer Life. Ashlie and Clint Walton talk about the challenges that stem from his career in law enforcement. They discuss how the trauma and stress almost ended their marriage. More importantly, Ashlie and Clint discuss how they have learned to overcome these challenges to have a happier and healthier life. Their experience and successful tactics have led them to help other first responders and military to have healthier lives, through their Tactical Li...

Surviving Violent Assaults on Police Officers. Dennis O’Connor, a retired Police Master Sergeant and Law Enforcement Liaison for Government Training Institute, talks about his experience in surviving violent attacks while working in law enforcement. He also discusses the toll that repeated trauma from these violent encounters takes on our first responders. Dennis talks about his work and GTI's SWAT and tactical training for military and law enforcement officers. Never miss out on an episode of ...

Deputy Dinkheller Murder Caught On Video. His Father's Mission. Deputy Kyle Dinkheller was murdered during a car stop. The horrific murder was captured on dash cam video. Kirk Dinkheller, Kyle’s Father is our guest on the show. Kirk discusses the murder of his son. He talks about the type of person Kyle was, as a law enforcement officer, a father, a husband, a son and a friend to many. Kirk discusses how he uses the video of the murder to train countless LEOs across the Country and the World. Be...

His Police Officer Grandfather Was Murdered, He Became a Cop too. Police Officer Scott Savage talks about his career in law enforcement. Scott’s grandfather, Lemuel D. Savage was a Police Detective in the Amarillo Texas Police Department. He was shot and killed on March 15, 1945. One of his convicted killers later murdered two Corrections Officers and was eventually executed in 1948. Scott talks about how the murder of his grandfather affected his family and the realities of Police Work today. ...

NYC Police Officer At Ground Zero. Retired NYPD Detective David Chianese talks about the realities and trauma of working for days at the WTC after the 9/11 terror attack. He discusses the memories and nightmares that never go away. David also talks about how the politicians and some command staff that are ruining the N.Y.P.D. and ultimately making the city less safe for all of it’s citizens and visitors. Background song Hurricane is used with permission from the band Dark Horse Flyer. Never mi...

Ambushed And Shot For Being A Uniformed Police Officer. Police Sergeant Charles Lowe talks about the night he was working in uniform, when he was targeted in an ambush attack. He talks about being in a fight for his life, during a gun battle from the front seat of his car. Charles discusses both the physical and emotional recovery for him and his family. Plus, Charles talks about how this incident and his recovery afterward has inspired him to help law enforcement officers and others affected by...

Service Dogs Life Savers For Cops, First Responders and Veterans with PTSD? Kevin Doncaster talks about his experiences in combat as a U.S. Marine. He also discusses his respect and appreciation for Law Enforcement Officers, plus the similarities and differences between the experiences of law enforcement officers, first responders and combat veterans. He talks about the life saving mission of Warhawk P.T.S.D. Service Dogs. Follow us on MeWe, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook. Background song Hurric...