As we finish out the year and are in the holiday season, we felt it was fitting to release a unique story of one of our own, Chris Langlois.  Chris is a veteran member of the Dallas Police Department and serves the citizens of Dallas but also has a life mission in honoring his grandfather and those who sacrificed so much to give this country the many liberties we all enjoy today.

In 2001 HBO, Spielberg, and Tom Hanks released an epic story that told the story of the 506th Infantry Regiment in World War II that known as Easy Company. The show was inspired by historical author Stephen Ambrose and was made into a ten part mini series that has become legendary. The real life characters that showed extreme courage, leadership, and sacrifice are what made this story so successful. Chris’s Grandfather, Medic “Doc” Eugene Roe was a central figure in this story that spanned from the D-Day invasion to taking over Hitler’s Eagle Nest in Germany.

This episode will highlight how Chris keeps the memory of his grandfather and these “band of brothers” alive through his amazing work at Doc Roe Publishing and the children books he has written. If you are a history buff or just appreciate those who work to keep memories alive you will love this episode.

The Dallas Police Department has so many talented and unique people and this show is grateful to be in a position to highlight their stories.

Enjoy!

Chri’s books and info can be found out https://docroepublishing.com

Books:

How Easy Company Became a Band of Brothers

Patrick the Paratrooper

Draftee Marches with the Band of Brothers

What a gift it is for this show to be able to sit down, again, with Crystal to update the listener on her growth and her journey. We presented her episode in 2022, and we learned about her life, joining the Dallas Police Department, and about that horrific day in April of 2018.

A lot has happened since that episode, and our mics will always be open for this incredible warrior to continue her inspiring story.

The ATO stage now belongs to Crystal Almeida.

The Assist the Officer Foundation welcomes Dallas Police Chief Daniel Comeaux back to the mic to remind everyone that Dallas PD is the most proactive Department in the nation.

Chief updates us on some new projects and initiatives and wanted to touch on some recent decisions he made and why he will always make his Department and the community they serve the top priority.

We Are Dallas!

#operationjusticetrail

#leadership

It is an honor to sit down with retired Phoenix PD Detective Janicik EdD to discuss her life, career and a topic we cannot have enough education on, crimes against women. We will talk about how she turned personal tragedy into protecting women by raising awareness and educating on how these predators work and target women.

Through her work in research, academia, and professional training, Cindy supports police agencies throughout the nation and internationally. A selection of collaborations she finds the most meaningful include: training the delegation of leaders from the Indonesian National Police Force on developing an effective, distance learning training model; serving as an expert on the 30x30 Initiative; supporting the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives through academic writing, educational pathways, and research; and assessing police agency practices in the areas of recruitment, hiring, and retention of sworn and professional staff personnel.

Today we chat with the great Mike Wagers, Chief Customer Officer of Axon, to talk about the history of the global leader in public safety technology…the every growing company known as Axon.

Mike walks us through the company’s history, from its roots in 1993, to now becoming the standard in law enforcement technology.

In 1993, Founder Rick Smith, had a vision to reduce gun violence and prevent crimes through technology to honor the murders of two of his high school football teammates.

Like all great stories, there was early struggle, and resiliency was financially tested before the energy weapon, TASER, was introduced to the world.

Mike gives us a unique sneak peek of what’s on the horizon with the new tech and mission expansion to wellness, AI tech and community partnerships that will save lives and solve crimes.

This message will tell this story of how a tragedy turned into a global phenomenon in ever evolving tech to subdue suspects, enhance accountability and boldly go where no man has gone before to make the world, the first responder world, a better and safer place.

"Tough Times Don't Last, Tough People Do"

We are honored to sit down with recently retired DFD Lt John Hampton as he wrapped up an amazing 25-year career.

Growing up in Maryland, the son of a fireman, Lt Hampton knew he would go into a life of service as he entered the Army and joined the historic 82ndABN. After seeing combat action and developing his unique, hard-nosed leadership style he decided it was time to answer his calling by joining the Dallas Fire Department.

Johnny was literally thrown into the fire as he joined one of the busiest stations in South Dallas, Station 44 off Lagow.

Johnny is very candid in telling the story of his life and career and we are honored he trusted us at the caretaker of his journey.

On July 21st, 2024, Lt Hampton entered Station 11 like any other morning and made a last minute decision to ride the engine to a structure fire call near downtown Dallas. The light rain coated the roadways, causing the rig’s tail to begin to swerve and the entire engine collided with the short wall went over several feet below onto the train tracks.

The race began to save LT Hampton from the wreckage as he was pinned for 45 minutes as he teammates and firefighting family worked.

This is the story of the life and career of an amazing man, leader, husband, father, and servant.

Thank you, Lt John Hampton, for your service to the country and to the city of Dallas.

Today we sit down with former Arapahoe Deputy Sheriff and current Douglas County Sheriff in Colorado, and we discuss the epidemic of school shootings in America. We also want to stress the growing need for our schools to have resource officers in schools to protect what matters most to us….the children.

James was on campus, as the SRO, at the Arapahoe High School on December 13th, 2013, when a disturbed teenager entered the school armed with a shotgun and Molotov cocktails and had a mission to murder the debate coach.

12:30 p.m.: The teen suspect enters Arapahoe High School with a shotgun, a machete, and three Molotov cocktails. On his arm, he has written the Latin phrase "Alea iacta est" ("The die has been cast"), along with numbers corresponding to the library and nearby classrooms.

Around 12:33 p.m.: After the suspect fires one round down a hallway, he shoots 17-year-old student Claire Davis in the head as she sits at a table near the library with a friend. She is not his intended target. He then entered the library and threw the incendiary devices starting a fire.

12:34 p.m.: Officer James Englert and a security guard confronted the suspect, who then takes his own life with a gunshot to the head.

December 21, 2013: Eight days after the shooting, Claire Davis dies from her injuries. Shortly after Claire’s family asked James if he would be a pall bearer at her funeral, which he accepted.

A year after the shooting, an outdoor space calledClarity Commons is dedicated to Claire Davis's memory at the school. 

James is an instructor and Vice President forNASRO (National Association for School Resource Officers).

Officer Englert also serves as the President of the “ I Love You Guys” Foundation.

Students face different challenges and pressures today than their parents; predators luring them over the internet; new, stronger drugs; sexting on cell phones.

Here are some of the current trends among young adults:

Today we will hear from a name that has been mentioned in some recent episodes but has never been on the show to tell his story. The time has come to sit down with retired DEA Special Agent in Charge David Downing.

Mr. Downing entered on duty with the DEA in 1995 as a member of Basic Agent Class 95. After graduating the academy in Quantico, Virginia, Mr. Downing served in various roles within DEA in locations such as Houston, Little Rock, the Office of Professional Responsibility in Dallas, Atlanta, and an overseas tour in the Bahamas. Mr. Downing has held the following titles: Special agent, group supervisor, inspector, resident agent in charge, assistant special agent in charge, deputy special agent in charge, and special agent in charge.

Special Agent in Charge Downing made it a priority to improve community partnerships as well as relationships with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. In addition, he led the Los Angeles Division through many successes, including two major diversion initiatives that significantly reduced opioid overdoses, the naming of Los Angeles as a 360 Pilot Project for opioid reduction and education, the indictment of Nemesio Oseguera-Cervantes, the leader of the most ruthless drug cartel in Mexico, and the formation of the Fusion Opioid HIDTA Task Force. But his most lasting legacy will be diversifying the Los Angeles Division.

We are please that Margaret Bedolla is back as a cohost to help tell this story of leadership, integrity, and the unwavering mission to uplift those around him.

Sit back in soak in this genuine good person’s story.

Today we unveil a new series of conversations we will have with Dallas Police Chief Daniel Comeaux as we provide a platform for our Chief to deliver a message. Today’s conversation will cover his approach to leadership philosophy and expectations for the Dallas Police Department and its leaders.

Today we want to honor Dallas Officer Darron Burks on the one-year anniversary of his tragic death as he was ambushed in South Central Dallas while on patrol.

Darron’s brief Dallas Police service was cut short on August 29th, 2024, but after this incident we all got to know the true incredible human being Darron Burks was. He had a lifetime of service as a teacher and mentor. After his death we heard story after story of the many lives he touched while on this Earth. He is the epitome of what we seek out as an officer and public servant.

I have no doubts that this great man would have touched so many more lives as an officer and mentored so many officers on this Department.

The City of Dallas lost a true gentle giant and amazing person.

Dallas Officer Karissa David and Jamie Farmer responded and were seriously wounded from gunfire.

Darron Burks #12543 EOW: August 29th, 2024

Episode speakers:

Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson

Retired Dallas Chief Eddie Garcia

Darron’s Mother, Cherie Jeffrey

Outro song: “The Goodness of God” - CeCe Winans (Fair Trade - 2021)

The Assist the Officer Foundation will be running in the Freedom Run on September 6th, 2025, in Dallas to honor Darron Burks.