Cops and Writers Podcast

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Dr. Michael Caparrelli spent 100 hours,  34 Sessions With David Berkowitz, the Son of Sam.

Welcome everyone to part one of my interview with Bestselling Author and Psychologist, Dr. Michael Caparrelli. Dr. Caparrelli holds a PhD in Behavioral Science with an emphasis on Addiction Psychology. 

Dr. Caparrelli spent 100 hours, over 34 sessions with one of the most feared murderers in America’s history, David Berkowitz aka The Son of Sam. Dr. Caparrelli wrote an amazing book titled, MONSTER MIRROR: 100 HOURS with DAVID BERKOWITZ, ONCE KNOW AS the SON OF SAM that chronicles his time with David Berkowitz. 

Dr. Caparrelli shares valuable insights into his time with one of our nation’s most notorious serial killers in history that are relevant to the times we are living in today. 

As a special treat to everyone, I brought in my friend and colleague, Podcaster, Author, and Retired NYPD Detective Vic Ferrari. Vic spent most of his life in New York and shares his perspective of the case from the point of view of an NYPD Detective and resident of New York.

In today’s episode we discuss:

·      Overview of New York in the late 70’s. City was BK, crime was out of control, mob (blackout).

·      Rumors of the NYPD asking the mob for help in catching the Son of Sam.

·      Quick recap of the SOS murders and when they started.

·      How would the NYPD coordinate such a huge task like capturing SOS?

·      How a parking ticket broke the case wide open.

·      How soon after David met his birth mom and sister did he start killing and what influence did that have on his homicidal rampage?

·      Why Dr. Caparrelli wrote the book, Monster Mirror.

Please visit Dr. Caparrelli on his website!

Check out Vic Ferrari's Amazon Author Page and Podcast

Check out Field Training (Brew City Blues 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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Today’s show will be especially helpful for you writers out there. On the show today we have award-winning and bestselling author, Nick Petrie. 

His first novel, The Drifter, won the ITW Thriller and Barry Awards and was nominated for the Edgar, Anthony, and Hammett Awards. He won the 2016 Literary Award from the Wisconsin Library Association and was named one of Apple’s 10 Writers to Read in 2017.  Light It Up was named the Best Thriller of 2018 by Apple Books. Both Light it Up and The Wild One were shortlisted for the Barry Award.

Nick is the quintessential blue-collar author. He has an impeccable work ethic forged with years of working as a carpenter and other trades that have paved his way to becoming a full-time bestselling author. 

In today’s episode, we discuss:

·      Luck finds people who show up to work every day. 

• We make our own luck.

·      Nick’s definition of success.

·      Write a ‘bad book.’

·      Writing a main character who is a former Marine with PTSD and keeping this authentic, even though he is not a veteran.

·      His former professions in the trades and how that has helped him in his writing career.

• His advice to rookie thriller writers. 

Visit Nick's website to learn more about him and his books.
Check out Field Training (Brew City Blues 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 everybody to the conclusion of my interview with the “Cop Doc” Dr. Ellen Kirschman.  

For over four decades, Dr. Ellen Kirschman's specialty has been treating first responders, cops, firefighters, and their families who are suffering with work-related traumatic stress.

Dr. Kirschman is also an award-winning and best-selling author of fiction and non-fiction. She is best known for the gold standard book for cops and their families, “I Love a Cop: What Police Families Need to Know” along with “Counseling Cops: What Clinicians Need to Know” and “I Love a Fire Fighter: What the Family Needs to Know.”

Dr. Kirschman is also the author of her very successful crime series, The Dot Meyerhoff Mystery Series, where she blends her real-life stories with cops into fiction. 

In today’s episode we discuss:

·      Dr. Kirschman winning over a room full of cops. 

• The book “I Love a Cop” and the solutions it offers to real life cop problems.

·      Soul woundings.

·      PTSD and can it be ‘cured?’

·      How cops can smell a phony a mile away.

·      Organizational stress and what can be done about it.

·      Police suicide and what to look for in a cop on the edge to get them help.

·      Retirement, it’s now ‘Safe to Fall Down.’

Visit Dr. Kirschman's website to learn more about her and her books!
Check out Field Training (Brew City Blues 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 everybody, today’s show will be especially valuable for those of you who are first responders and maybe more important, for their families to listen to. Or, if you are curious about what goes on behind closed doors in a police family. There is so much good information here, I had to split this up into two episodes. My guest on today’s show is known as the ‘Cop Doc’, Dr. Ellen Kirschman. 

For over four decades, Dr. Ellen Kirschman's specialty has been treating first responders, cops, firefighters, and their families who are suffering from work-related traumatic stress. Today’s episode is going to lean more on the cop side of the house but can be easily translated to other first responders.

Dr. Kirschman is also an award-winning and best-selling author of fiction and non-fiction. She is best known for the gold standard book for cops and their families, “I Love a Cop: What Police Families Need to Know” along with “Counseling Cops: What Clinicians Need to Know” and “I Love a Fire Fighter: What the Family Needs to Know.”

Dr. Kirschman is also the author of her very successful crime series, The Dot Meyerhoff Mystery Series, where she blends her real-life stories with cops into fiction. 

In today’s episode we discuss:

·      Has Dr. Kirschman ever loved a cop? 

• Her work as a police psychologist with the Palo Alto Police Department.

·      My own, and other cop’s recollections of her book, I Love a Cop.

·      How Dr. Kirschman got into the business of helping cops through trauma.

·      The divorce rate among cops, the numbers might surprise you.

·      The different phases of a law enforcement career.

·      When should a cop leave the job?

·      When and how should a cop talk to their families about what they are going through at work?

Visit Dr. Kirschman's website to learn more about her and her books!
Check out Field Training (Brew City Blues 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 everybody to the conclusion of my interview with my special guest, Retired ATF Deputy Assistant Director, former NYPD homicide detective, and author of the bestselling book, The Deadly Path: How Operation Fast & Furious and Bad Lawyers Armed Mexican Cartels, Peter Forcelli. If you like heroes, homicide, government corruption at the highest levels, a government whistle blower, and good old fashioned police work, you’re going to love this episode. 

Peter was a "whistleblower," who came forward and testified in the congressional inquiry into the "Operation Fast & Furious" scandal, following the death of Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry.

Over the span of his career, Peter Forcelli served in leadership positions within ATF in Phoenix, Arizona; Eastern Canada; Miami, Florida and in ATF Headquarters. While serving as the Special Agent in Charge of the Miami Field Division, he oversaw ATF’s response to several mass shootings, including those at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, and Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, in Parkland Florida. He also oversaw ATF’s investigation into Omar Mateen and his acquisition of the firearms that were used in the Pulse Nightclub shooting.

Peter Forcelli has also been involved in the exoneration of eight people who were wrongfully arrested and convicted in the Bronx, New York, for murders that they did not commit.

Peter is a survivor of the 9/11 Terrorist Attacks on the World Trade Center, and the lung cancer that he later developed because of his work in the rescue and recovery efforts at Ground Zero. He is a recurring guest speaker at the 9/11 Memorial and Museum.

Like any cop, sometimes we need backup. So, my good friend, Retired DEA Special Agent Steve Murphy of the Game of Crimes podcast and DEA Narcos, joined me for this interview. Steve is no stranger to Cartels because he and his partner, Javier Pena’s work, bringing down Pablo Escobar and the Medellín Cartel.

In today’s episode we discuss:

·      More government coverups and corruption involving Operation Fast and Furious. 

• The ongoing catastrophe at our southern border and what can be done about it.

·      The personal and professional damage caused to Peter, and his family, by him being a whistleblower.

·      Red flags that point to dysfunction in law enforcement agencies – resulting in larger issues for leadership – and how to resolve them?

·      Mass shootings in the United States and what should have been done to prevent them, and how we can prevent more of them happening.

·      How some federal prosecutors continue to not charge criminals for violating federal firearms laws – and other crimes – and what can be done to remedy the problem.

·      Are ‘tough gun laws’ actually solving any problems?

Visit Peter on his website!
Check out DEA Narcos with Steve Murphy
Check out Field Training (Brew City Blues 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 sh

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 everybody to part one of this very special show with my guest, Retired ATF Deputy Assistant Director, former NYPD homicide detective, and author of the bestselling book, The Deadly Path: How Operation Fast & Furious and Bad Lawyers Armed Mexican Cartels, Peter Forcelli. If you like heroes, homicide, government corruption at the highest levels, a government whistle blower, and good old fashioned police work, you’re going to love this episode. 

Peter was a "whistleblower," who came forward and testified in the congressional inquiry into the "Operation Fast & Furious" scandal, following the death of Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry.

Over the span of his career, Peter Forcelli served in leadership positions within ATF in Phoenix, Arizona; Eastern Canada; Miami, Florida and in ATF Headquarters. While serving as the Special Agent in Charge of the Miami Field Division, he oversaw ATF’s response to several mass shootings, including those at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, and Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, in Parkland Florida. He also oversaw ATF’s investigation into Omar Mateen and his acquisition of the firearms that were used in the Pulse Nightclub shooting.

Peter Forcelli has also been involved in the exoneration of eight people who were wrongfully arrested and convicted in the Bronx, New York, for murders that they did not commit.

Peter is a survivor of the 9/11 Terrorist Attacks on the World Trade Center, and the lung cancer that he later developed because of his work in the rescue and recovery efforts at Ground Zero. He is a recurring guest speaker at the 9/11 Memorial and Museum.

Like any cop, sometimes we need backup. So, my good friend, Retired DEA Special Agent Steve Murphy of the Game of Crimes podcast and DEA Narcos, joined me for this interview. Steve is no stranger to Cartels because he and his partner, Javier Pena work, bringing down Pablo Escobar and the Medellín Cartel.

In today’s episode we discuss:

·      Peter’s early years in the NYPD and the Housing Police. 

• What it was like testifying before Congress.

·      His part in the investigations that led to the acquittal of 8 people who were wrongfully convicted of murder.

·      Peter being at the Towers on 9/11 and his part in the rescue/recovery and the cancer he endured later that cost him a lung.

·      The conspiracies surrounding the 9/11 terrorist attack.

·      Why Peter joined the ATF after fifteen years with the NYPD?

·      Operation Fast and Furious.

·      The coverups and corruption involved with Operation Fast and Furious and Peter doing the right thing, and the fallout he faced due to him being a whistleblower.

Visit Peter on his website!
Check out DEA Narcos with Steve Murphy
Check out Field Training (Brew City Blues 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 everybody to the conclusion of this very special show with my guest Matthew Cox. Dateline NBC called Matthew, "A gifted forger and silver-tongued liar." If you’re a true crime junkie, you’re going to love this show!

Matthew’s captivating story has been featured in Playboy, Rolling Stone, Dateline NBC, and numerous other news publications.

Matthew Cox, one of the most ingenious con men in history—bilked America’s biggest banks out of millions. Despite numerous encounters with bank security, state and federal authorities, Cox narrowly avoided capture for years. During his run Matt assumed over fifty identities and held twenty-six different valid driver's licenses. 

Eventually, the law caught up with Matt and he was convicted of multiple counts of Bank, mortgage, wire, and passport fraud and identity theft. Matt  was sentenced to 26 years in federal prison.

Matt is now a successful author, consultant, and podcaster and were lucky he has agreed to tell us his story. 

Like any cop, sometimes we need backup. So, my good friend, Retired FBI Special Agent Jerri Williams of the FBI Case File Review podcast, joined me for this interview. Jerri specialized in high level cons, scams, and Ponzi schemes when she was with the FBI and offers her expertise with this interview and I’m lucky she agreed to be on the show.

I also wanted to express my thanks to Vic Ferrari of the NYPD Thorough The Looking Glass podcast, for making the intros that made this episode possible.

In today’s episode we discuss:

·      The perception that Matthew Cox conned vulnerable women as accomplices and what Matt has to say about that.

·      When Matthew was on the run, how many states did he live in and how many plastic surgeries did he get?

·      How different federal agencies worked together to capture Matthew Cox.

·      The personality traits of a successful con man.

·      The first meal Matthew got when he got out of prison.

·      What we can all do to protect ourselves from identity theft and scams.

·      Matthew Coxs’ successful author and podcast career!

Go visit Matt's website, Amazon Author Page, and podcast!
Visit Jerri Williams on her website!
Check out Field Training (Brew City Blues 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 everybody to part one of this very special show with my guest Matthew Cox. Dateline NBC called Matthew, "A gifted forger and silver-tongued liar." If you’re a true crime junkie, you’re going to love this show!

Matthew’s captivating story has been featured in Playboy, Rolling Stone, Dateline NBC, and numerous other news outlets.

Matthew Cox, one of the most ingenious con men in history—bilked America’s biggest banks out of millions. Despite numerous encounters with bank security, state and federal authorities, Cox narrowly avoided capture for years. During his run, Matt assumed over fifty identities and held twenty-six different valid driver's licenses. 

Eventually, the law caught up with Matt and he was convicted of multiple counts of Bank, mortgage, wire, and passport fraud and identity theft. Matt was sentenced to 26 years in federal prison.

Like any cop, sometimes we need back up. So, my good friend Retired FBI Special Agent Jerri Williams of the FBI Case File Review podcast, joined me for this interview. Jerri specialized in high level cons, scams, and Ponzi schemes when she was with the FBI and offers her expertise with this interview and I’m lucky she agreed to be on the show.

I also wanted to express my thanks to Vic Ferrari of the NYPD Thorough The Looking Glass podcast, for making the intros that made this episode possible.

In today’s episode we discuss:

·      How many years Matt served in prison what prison life was actually like and common misconceptions regarding prison, including the common ‘Club Fed’ persona.

·      Matt’s tough relationship with his alcoholic father, his learning disability, and how these things contributed to his criminality.

·      How small cons or frauds led to multi-million-dollar fraud.

·      What he was feeling when he was at the top of his game, committing multiple felonies and making millions of dollars.

·      How Matt ran these cons and frauds.

·      How cocky and proud was Matt when he was at the top of his game?

·      Who, and how many, were the different co-conspirators that were in on Matt’s frauds?

·      The Secret Service, FBI, and US Marshalls were hot on Matt’s trail for years. What were some of the near misses and close calls you had with the feds?

Go visit Matt's website, Amazon Author Page, and podcast!
Visit Jerri Williams on her website!
Check out Field Training (Brew City Blues 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

Happy New Year everybody! I wish you all a happy and healthy 2024. 

Today we're going to do something a little bit different. Back on November 22nd, I sat down virtually with Sarah Rosett and Jamie Albright on their fantastic podcast wish I’d known then. We talked about common errors writers make when it comes to crafting their police stories and how to improve their thrillers or mysteries.

Check out the Wish I'd Known Then Podcast with Jamie Albright and Sara Rosett!

Check out Field Training (Brew City Blues 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 on the show we are traveling to Romania speaking to USA Today Bestselling Author Melinda Colt. 

Melinda Colt is an award-winning and bestselling author of thrillers, suspense, and mystery novels. While she’s a Juris Doctor and professional target shooter, she worked as a journalist before she became a full-time author and owns a graphic design business.

Melinda indulges her romantic side by writing romance novels under the pen name Melinda De Ross.   

In today’s episode we discuss:

·      Melinda’s wide variety of interests, including having a law degree, being a journalist, a professional target shooter, and owning her own graphic design studio. 

• What it was like living in Romania under communism.

·      Her interesting childhood and being immersed in many endeavors.

·      What Melinda’s influences were growing up that molded her author career.

·      Her beginnings as a journalist and how that helped her later as an author.

·      Melinda being a former target shooting champion and how that has influenced her writing.

·      Her writing in two different genres, crime fiction, and romance, and how she blends the two.

·      How Melinda earned the title, “USA Today Bestselling Author.”

·      How Melinda overcame personal tragedy and profound grief not writing for almost two years, to finishing her next novel.

·      Her advice to anyone getting back to writing after a personal tragedy.

Please visit the Melinda Colt website.
Come on over to the Melinda De Ross website.
Need a book cover? Melinda has you covered:-) Check out her graphic design website.

Check out Field Training (Brew City Blues 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