Cops and Writers Podcast

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Thank you for joining me today for a truly enjoyable and informative chat with Dr. Danna Kollmann. I knew this was going to be a lot of laughs when I was going to interview Dr. Kollmann, the author of Never Suck on a Dead Man’s Hand: Curious Adventures of a CSI. 

Dana Kollmann is an Associate Clinical Professor in the Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Criminal Justice. Dana received her BS in Anthropology from Towson State University, a Master of Forensic Science from George Washington University and a MS and PhD in Anthropology from American University.  Dana’s experience in forensic archaeology and anthropology has been obtained primarily through her training at the Smithsonian Institution, where she worked in museums throughout the United States performing examinations of curated skeletal collections.

Dana has 11 years of crime lab experience, 10 of which was obtained through her work as a Forensic Services Technician with the Baltimore County Police Department where she processed hundreds of crime scenes working as a Crime Scene Technician. 

I hope you enjoy this conversation with Dr. Kollmann as much as I did recording it. 

In today’s episode we discuss:

·      The real-life story of where Dr. Kollmann came up with the title of her book, Never Suck a Dead Man’s Hand.

·      Why she chose to become a CSI and not a police officer.

·      How much of an influence her father, a police officer was in her career trajectory. 

·      Her making a cat stew as a youngster.

·      Her first crime scene off training, which happened to be a homicide.

·      The strangest piece of evidence she encountered processing a crime scene as a CSI.

·      The most satisfying case she processed.

·      A spinning ceiling fan with parts of a human head attached.

·      Dingo attack!

·      P.R. dust.

·      Her book, Never Suck on a Dead Man’s Hand: Curious Adventures of a CSI.

·      Getting a human skull through TSA.

Grab your copy of Dana's book, Never Suck a Dead Man's Hand: Curious Adventures of a CSI. 

Check out the new Cops and Writers YouTube channel!
Check out my newest book, The Good Collar (Michael Quinn Vigilante Justice Series Book 1)!!!!!
Enjoy the Cops and Writers book series.
Please visit the Cops and Writers website.  

What would you do if you lost the one you loved the most? How far would you go to quench your thirst for vengeance?

https://a.co/d/2UsJPba

Support the show

What's the craziest thing you saw when you were a cop?

My first week on the job, a guy running at me with a butcher knife. He'd just killed his brother over the last hot dog.

That's chapter 1. There are 33 more.

Police Stories: The Rookie Years just launched - available on Amazon. 

Search 'Police Stories Patrick O'Donnell' or click th

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This is going to be a different Cops and Writers episode. Today’s interview is like something you would see in a movie or read in a piece of fiction. Unfortunately for my guest, she was forced to live and still lives this nightmare. 

Dr. Jan Canty was married and going through the process of attaining her PhD. Unknown to her, her husband, a psychology professor, was leading a double life of frequenting a prostitute and befriending her pimp. This cost him all of their money, and ultimately his life, in a brutal killing where he was chopped up into pieces and spread out over Michigan. 

Dr. Jan Canty recounts this harrowing series of events in her book, A Life Divided: A Psychologist's memoir about the double life and murder of her husband - and her road to recovery. 

Dr. Jan Canty is a Psychologist, Author, Podcast Host, Speaker... and Homicide Survivor. She has worked in clinical psychology for over thirty years in a private practice setting, large psychiatric hospital, teaching graduate school and consulting with attorneys and the federal government. She is an author and hosts the Domino Effect of Murder Podcast. 

Dr. Canty is a champion of the often overlooked or poorly treated homicide survivors. Her passionate is finding ways to support and help other so-called homicide or suicide survivors. 

Please enjoy this honest and sometimes raw conversation with Dr. Canty.

In today’s episode we discuss:

·      Dr. Canty’s road to a P.H.D.

·      Living in the worst part of Detroit during its most violent time.

·      How she met her late husband and their relationship. 

·      How her late husband, the psychology professor, got involved with a valedictorian hooker and biker pimp?

·      The events leading up to her late husband’s brutal murder and dismemberment.

·      The realization that her late husband had been living a double life.

·      Navigating the criminal justice system after the arrest of those responsible for the killing of her late husband.

·      How victim rights are not popular in today's culture and are often overlooked or ignored.

·      Her book, A Life Divided: A Psychologist's Memoir About the Double Life and Murder of Her Husband - and Her Road to Recovery.

·      Dr. Canty’s podcast, The Domino Effect of Murder.

Visit Dr. Canty's website to learn more about her and her work.Check out the new Cops and Writers YouTube channel!
Check out my newest book, The Good Collar (Michael Quinn Vigilante Justice Series Book 1)!!!!!
Enjoy the Cops and Writers book series.
Please visit the Cops and Writers website. 

What would you do if you lost the one you loved the most? How far would you go to quench your thirst for vengeance?

https://a.co/d/2UsJPba

Support the show

What's the craziest thing you saw when you were a cop?

My first week on the job, a guy running at me with a butcher knife. He'd just killed his brother over the last hot dog.

That's chapter 1. There are 33 more.

Police Stories: The Rookie Years just launched - available on Amazon. 

Search 'Police Stories Patrick O'Donnell' or click th

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

Send us a text

Welcome back to the conclusion of my special two-part show with Kansas City Police Detective Brent Cartwright. 

Retired Detective Brent Cartwright dedicated over 25 years to serving as a US Army veteran and police officer, spending more than a decade as an undercover detective. He is the recipient of numerous awards and decorations, including the Purple Heart and a Commendation for Valor. Cartwright is recognized by the US Criminal Courts as an expert witness in narcotics trafficking and illegal firearms crimes.

Brent was shot six times with an AK-47 in the line of duty. He endured numerous surgeries and pushback from his own department. He eventually returned to duty, but discovered it wasn’t working and received a medical retirement. 

Brent recently wrote Undercover Junkie: Chasing Highs, Confronting Killers, and Unraveling in the Chaos that is due out February 15, 2025. This book takes you the reader through the career of someone who lived undercover for over ten years and was addicted to the adrenaline dumps and excitement. 

Please enjoy this story of valor, self-awareness, and resiliency, with a real hero. It turns out that getting shot wasn’t the worst thing.

In today’s episode we discuss:

·      The circumstances of him getting shot six times with an AK-47 and surviving.

·      How long he was in the hospital, and recovery? Did he want to get back to work immediately?

·      Was there mandatory psych treatment? What did that look like? 

·      What were his considerations for taking a medical retirement?

·      What was his reaction?

·      Working the 2020 riots.

·      Retirement from law enforcement. What did that look like for you?

·      How he delt, and deals with PTSD.

·      His book, Undercover Junkie: Chasing Highs, Confronting Killers, and Unraveling in the Chaos.

Visit Brent's website to learn more about him and his newest book!

Check out the new Cops and Writers YouTube channel!
Check out my newest book, The Good Collar (Michael Quinn Vigilante Justice Series Book 1)!!!!!
Enjoy the Cops and Writers book series.
Please visit the Cops and Writers website.

What would you do if you lost the one you loved the most? How far would you go to quench your thirst for vengeance?

https://a.co/d/2UsJPba

Support the show

What's the craziest thing you saw when you were a cop?

My first week on the job, a guy running at me with a butcher knife. He'd just killed his brother over the last hot dog.

That's chapter 1. There are 33 more.

Police Stories: The Rookie Years just launched - available on Amazon. 

Search 'Police Stories Patrick O'Donnell' or click th

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

Send us a text

Welcome to part one of a special two-part show with Kansas City Police Detective Brent Cartwright. 

Retired Detective Brent Cartwright dedicated over 25 years to serving as a US Army veteran and police officer, spending more than a decade as an undercover detective. He is the recipient of numerous awards and decorations, including the Purple Heart and a Commendation for Valor. Cartwright is recognized by the US Criminal Courts as an expert witness in narcotics trafficking and illegal firearms crimes.

Brent was shot six times with an AK-47 in the line of duty. He endured numerous surgeries and pushback from his own department. He eventually returned to duty but discovered it wasn’t working and received a medical retirement. 

Brent recently wrote Undercover Junkie: Chasing Highs, Confronting Killers, and Unraveling in the Chaos which is due out February 15, 2025. This book takes you, the reader, through the career of someone who lived undercover for over ten years and was addicted to the adrenaline dumps and excitement. 

Please enjoy this story of valor and resiliency with a real hero. It turns out that getting shot wasn’t the worst thing.

In today’s episode we discuss:

·      It turns out that getting shot wasn’t the worst thing. What does that Mean?

·      How Brent got into police work.

·      What his parents and then-girlfriend, now wife thought.

·      His time in the Army and how that prepared him for police work.

·      Getting run over by a drunk driver.

·      How far into his career did he get into undercover work?

·      What were his preconceived notions of undercover work compared to the reality of doing the work?

·      The circumstances of him getting shot six times with an AK-47 and surviving.

Visit Brent's website to learn more about him and his newest book!

Check out the new Cops and Writers YouTube channel!
Check out my newest book, The Good Collar (Michael Quinn Vigilante Justice Series Book 1)!!!!!
Enjoy the Cops and Writers book series.
Please visit the Cops and Writers website.

What would you do if you lost the one you loved the most? How far would you go to quench your thirst for vengeance?

https://a.co/d/2UsJPba

Support the show

What's the craziest thing you saw when you were a cop?

My first week on the job, a guy running at me with a butcher knife. He'd just killed his brother over the last hot dog.

That's chapter 1. There are 33 more.

Police Stories: The Rookie Years just launched - available on Amazon. 

Search 'Police Stories Patrick O'Donnell' or click th

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

Send us a text

Good evening everyone. It's evening as I record this special solo episode of the Cops and Writers Podcast.

Why do a solo episode? Good Question. I have been super busy taking care of my wife who had a total knee replacement surgery a couple of days ago. She’s a tough cookie but needs a little help from me and that has put most things on the back-burner, including this podcast. 

So, I thought it would be a good idea to answer some questions from the Cops and Writers Facebook group with stories from my career in law enforcement. 

In today’s episode we discuss:

·       The impending release of The Good Collar. Getting the cover to conform with Amazon, and releasing the paperback, then the hardcover, and then the Kindle version very soon!! Some reviews have already come out on Goodreads, with an average of 4.5! For Goodreads that is awesome! Thanks to everyone who was a beta and ARC reader!

·      Fred Snyder asks: Current day United States. How much/what kind of paperwork is involved if a Federal officer (FBI, USSS, DHS) draws his/her gun? Doesn't fire it, just draws it. 

·      Connie Albus asks:  A husband and wife are found dead, both with bullet wounds but the coroner is not sure if the husband murdered his wife then committed suicide due to the angle of the bullet wounds on him, or if it was a double murder.  On the coroner's report would it show hers as "homicide" and his as "homicide/suicide"?  or other wording?  Thanks for the help.  (story takes place in the USA) _(added the remains were found in a burned building). Rich Rybicki and Scott Morales did a great job answering and I added that we never assume anything, it’s a double homicide until it isn’t. The totality of the circumstances comes into play here. Were there any 911/DV calls at the address? Did they find a gun, if so, where was it? Is there a motive, such as an impending divorce or other problems? Any history of calls of one of them having a mental illness crisis? Was there a note? There was a fire, so that might be tricky. Witness statements or video? 

·      Allison Holland-Ray asks: In modern times, Portland, Maine, I have a suspect who’s pointing his gun at two bystanders, while three officers all point their weapons at him. 

What is the protocol for getting him to drop his weapon? Right now, I have written that the officers are talking to him and they put their weapons down to show they are willing to talk.

Check out the new Cops and Writers YouTube channel!
Check out my newest book, The Good Collar (Michael Quinn Vigilante Justice Series Book 1)!!!!!
Enjoy the Cops and Writers book series.
Please visit the Cops and Writers website.

What would you do if you lost the one you loved the most? How far would you go to quench your thirst for vengeance?

https://a.co/d/2UsJPba

Support the show

What's the craziest thing you saw when you were a cop?

My first week on the job, a guy running at me with a butcher knife. He'd just killed his brother over the last hot dog.

That's chapter 1. There are 33 more.

Police Stories: The Rookie Years just launched - available on Amazon. 

Search 'Police Stories Patrick O'Donnell' or click th

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

Send us a text

It should be noted that this episode was recorded on January 2, 2025, one day after the terror attacks in New Orleans and Las Vegas. Of course, there will be new information as the investigations proceed regarding these horrific acts of cowardly violence. My heart goes out to the victims and their families. We touch on this topic, but know that all the facts aren’t in and we may never know exactly what the motives were, how many were involved, and what could have been done to prevent these tragedies.

Today on the show I was lucky enough to get back up from my friend and fellow author, retired Chicago Police Department Detective Lieutenant Richard Rybicki.

The good lieutenant served for over 29 years on the Chicago Police Department where he worked as a Patrol Officer, Tactical Officer, Gang Crimes Specialist, Detective, Patrol Sergeant, Detective Sergeant, Patrol Lieutenant, and Detective Lieutenant. His last assignment was as the Lieutenant/commanding officer of the Area Three Homicide/Sex/Gang Crimes unit.

Thank you for joining us as we look back on 2024 and peer into 2025 with all its good, bad, and ugly.

In today’s episode we discuss:

·      What’s a “ghoul pool” and other New Year’s Eve stories from big city cops.

·      What really happens in big cities in the United States on New Year’s and how the cops cope with the stress.

·      Me almost getting shot on my second New Year’s Eve as a rookie cop.

·      The terror attacks in New Orleans and Las Vegas on New Year’s.

·      What is the FBI doing about these attacks?

·      144 police officers killed in the line of duty in 2024.

·      The problem with recruitment and retention of law enforcement in the U.S.A. 

·      Writing and publishing trends in 2024.

·      What’s going to be big in 2025 in the writing biz?

 Visit Richard's author page on Amazon.
Check out the Sam Laska Crime Thriller page on Facebook.
Visit Richard at his website!

Check out the new Cops and Writers YouTube channel!
Check out my newest book, The Good Collar (Michael Quinn Vigilante Justice Series Book 1)!!!!!
Enjoy the Cops and Writers book series.
Please visit the Cops and Writers website.

What would you do if you lost the one you loved the most? How far would you go to quench your thirst for vengeance?

https://a.co/d/2UsJPba

Support the show

What's the craziest thing you saw when you were a cop?

My first week on the job, a guy running at me with a butcher knife. He'd just killed his brother over the last hot dog.

That's chapter 1. There are 33 more.

Police Stories: The Rookie Years just launched - available on Amazon. 

Search 'Police Stories Patrick O'Donnell' or click th

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

Send us a text

Today we are bringing back returning champ, retired NYPD Detective, Author, and Podcaster, Vic Ferrari. 

Vic worked a distinguished twenty-year career with the NYPD as a patrol officer and later moved up to the organized crime unit working in the auto theft squad as a detective. During his retirement, he wrote NYPD Tell All books. This has blossomed into a catalog of amazing books, including his latest NYPD: Presumption & Dysfunction!

On the show today we discuss the homicide of United Health Care’s CEO, Brian Thompson, and the suspected killer, Luigi Mangione, and his newest book,  NYPD: Presumption & Dysfunction.

Please enjoy my chat with the informative and highly entertaining, Vic Ferrari!

In today’s episode we discuss:

·      The homicide of United Health Care’s CEO, Brian Thompson, and the suspected killer, Luigi Mangione.

·      How the suspected killer Luigi Mangione was not a professional hitman like so many news agencies were portraying him early in the investigation!

·      The ridiculous support he is getting from strangers.

·      Vic’s recent book release, NYPD: Presumption & Dysfunction (Tell All NYPD Books). 

·      What do his former co-workers say about the books?

·      The use of nicknames in police work. Some funny ones and if anyone has been salty about you bringing them up.

·      Vic’s nickname.

·      Vic’s podcast, NYPD Through The Looking Glass.

Visit Vic Ferrari's Amazon Author Page to learn more about him and his books!

Check out the new Cops and Writers YouTube channel!
Check out my newest book, The Good Collar (Michael Quinn Vigilante Justice Series Book 1)!!!!!
Enjoy the Cops and Writers book series.
Please visit the Cops and Writers website.

What would you do if you lost the one you loved the most? How far would you go to quench your thirst for vengeance?

https://a.co/d/2UsJPba

Support the show

What's the craziest thing you saw when you were a cop?

My first week on the job, a guy running at me with a butcher knife. He'd just killed his brother over the last hot dog.

That's chapter 1. There are 33 more.

Police Stories: The Rookie Years just launched - available on Amazon. 

Search 'Police Stories Patrick O'Donnell' or click th

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

Send us a text

Welcome to a bonus Christmas Eve Cops and Writers with my friend Chicago PD Detective Richard Rybicki!

Today’s bonus episode is filled with police stories from working Christmas during the holidays. We also both answer the burning question, is Die Hard a Christmas movie?

Please enjoy this fun holiday Cops and Writers.

In today’s episode we discuss:

·      How a suspect was throwing his own blood at Rich on Christmas.

·      How the cops celebrated Christmas while working.

·      Crackhead Christmas with a communist!

·      Fighting with a gunshot victim in the back of an ambulance.

·      Never volunteer. No good deed ever goes unpunished.

·      Suicidal people during the holidays.

·      Suicide hotline 988, the police hotline is 800-267-5463. You are not alone. Don’t make a permanent decision based on a temporary situation!

·      Is Die Hard a Christmas movie and some interesting Die Hard trivia.

·      Rich’s newest book series, The Corpse Whisperer. 

·      Patrick’s book, The Good Collar, is hopefully being released soon!!

All of this and more on today’s episode of the Cops and Writers podcast.

 Visit Richard's author page on Amazon.
Check out the Sam Laska Crime Thriller page on Facebook.
Visit Richard at his website!

Check out the new Cops and Writers YouTube channel!
Check out my newest book, The Good Collar (Michael Quinn Vigilante Justice Series Book 1)!!!!!
Enjoy the Cops and Writers book series.
Please visit the Cops and Writers website.

Would you like to win a Free Kindle Fire and signed copies of the Good Collar? Here is the link!!

What would you do if you lost the one you loved the most? How far would you go to quench your thirst for vengeance?

https://a.co/d/2UsJPba

Support the show

What's the craziest thing you saw when you were a cop?

My first week on the job, a guy running at me with a butcher knife. He'd just killed his brother over the last hot dog.

That's chapter 1. There are 33 more.

Police Stories: The Rookie Years just launched - available on Amazon. 

Search 'Police Stories Patrick O'Donnell' or click th

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

Send us a text

Today we are traveling to the great white north, Canada where we are chatting with Stephen G. Metelsky, M.A. Steve is a criminal psychology professor at Mohawk College in Hamilton, Ontario. He also lectures about organized crime at Queens University in Kingston, Ontario. 

Steve spent 21 years as a police officer and later was promoted to sergeant with the Halton Regional Police Service & the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit (CFSEU) of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). He specialized in traditional organized crime, informant development and undercover operations as an operator and covert handler. 

Please enjoy this eye-opening and entertaining conversation with Steve.

In today’s episode we discuss:

·      How Steve got interested in police work.

·      Life as a recruit in a Canadian police academy back in the 1990s.

·      The best job on the police force, sergeant!

·      Steve’s first exposure to undercover police work.

·      “Good Stress” in police work.

·      Steve specializes in organized crime, undercover operations, and informant development.

·      Mexican drug cartels, Hell’s Angels, the Wolfpack alliance, and Asian gangs in Canada.

·      Steve’s book, Undercover: Stories from the underworld of law enforcement.

Head on over to Steve's website to learn more about him and his books!

Check out the new Cops and Writers YouTube channel!
Check out my newest book, The Good Collar (Michael Quinn Vigilante Justice Series Book 1)!!!!!
Enjoy the Cops and Writers book series.
Please visit the Cops and Writers website.

What would you do if you lost the one you loved the most? How far would you go to quench your thirst for vengeance?

https://a.co/d/2UsJPba

Support the show

What's the craziest thing you saw when you were a cop?

My first week on the job, a guy running at me with a butcher knife. He'd just killed his brother over the last hot dog.

That's chapter 1. There are 33 more.

Police Stories: The Rookie Years just launched - available on Amazon. 

Search 'Police Stories Patrick O'Donnell' or click th

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

Send us a text

Today we are traveling across the pond to England to speak to Author, Award-Winning Journalist, and Television Producer Robert Murphy and Retired British Police Officer Michelle Leonard. 

Ron Evans, aka, The Clifton Rapist, had been arrested and convicted of raping and killing a young woman but only served 10 years in prison. In 1979, when he was released from prison, he went back to his criminal behavior and raped at least 7 young women eluding the police for several years.

There was an incredible public outcry for the police to capture this maniac. In complete secrecy, a daring new plan was introduced, unlike anything previously attempted by a UK police force. A small group of young female officers – some just 18 – put their lives on the line, walking the quiet residential roads late at night, acting as bait until one fateful night The Clifton Rapist attacked Undercover Police Officer Michelle Leonard who was acting as a decoy. 

Please enjoy this incredible story told by the police officer who lived it and the journalist who wrote the book and produced the movie, Decoy: The gripping true crime story of one of Britain’s most shocking and secretive historical undercover police operations.

In today’s episode we discuss:

·      How Michelle got interested in police work.

·      How many years she was in the police force when she was approached to become a decoy. 

·      Bristol 1979 being a safe area before the Clifton Rapist started his one-man crime wave. 

·      How the British police force investigated sexual crimes back then without the aid of modern science.

·      What it was like for Michelle when this homicidal manic attempted to assault her.

·      Robert Murphy’s interest in the case and the book he wrote and the documentary he made depicting this case.

 All of this and more on today’s episode of the Cops and Writers podcast.

Please visit Robert's website to learn more about him, Michelle, and his work.

Check out the new Cops and Writers YouTube channel!
Check out my newest book, The Good Collar (Michael Quinn Vigilante Justice Series Book 1)!!!!!
Enjoy the Cops and Writers book series.
Please visit the Cops and Writers website.

What would you do if you lost the one you loved the most? How far would you go to quench your thirst for vengeance?

https://a.co/d/2UsJPba

Support the show

What's the craziest thing you saw when you were a cop?

My first week on the job, a guy running at me with a butcher knife. He'd just killed his brother over the last hot dog.

That's chapter 1. There are 33 more.

Police Stories: The Rookie Years just launched - available on Amazon. 

Search 'Police Stories Patrick O'Donnell' or click th

Support the show