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Today we are in the Line of Fire with Special Agent Mark Brandenburg of the United States Secret Service. 

Mark started his career in law enforcement in the Olathe, KS, Police Department (a suburb of Kansas City). He was assigned to patrol, served as an FTO, and was a member of the tactical support unit.

In 2001, Mark was hired by the USSS as a special agent. His second day of training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) in Glynco, GA, was 9/11.

Began career in the Chicago Field Office investigating financial crimes

In 2008, Mark moved to Washington, DC, and served 5 1/2 years on the Presidential Protective Division during the Obama administration. During this time was a member of the shift protecting the president and served on the Transportation Section that advances the motorcade routes. Mark drove the presidential limo (The Beast) on many occasions.

From 2017 - 2019, Mark was a supervisory agent on the Vice-Presidential Protective Division during Mike Pence’s tenure. 

February 21, 2023, Mark published his first novel, Fence Jumper, which is a humorous political thriller about a suspended USSS agent who discovers the supposedly kidnapped wife of a senator running in the presidential primary. 

In today’s episode we discuss:

·      The reason Mark joined law enforcement. 

·      Why Mark joined the United States Secret Service.

·      What it was like to be on his second day of training 9/11 to be a special agent with the secret service.

·      What was involved in investigating financial crimes?

·      What it is really like on the presidential protection detail. 

·      The importance of staying politically neutral. 

·      Favorite and not-so-favorite part of being on the presidential protection detail.

·      What are the common errors in movies / T.V. regarding the secret service? (To Live and Die in L.A. and In the Line of Fire)

·      How much fun is it to drive the presidential limo nicknamed the Beast?

·      Mark’s debut novel, Fence Jumper.

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

Check out Mark's debut novel Fence Jumper!
Have questions? Email Mark.

Come join the sarge and RJ Beam at the 2023 Cops and Writers Interactive Conference (Cop Camp) June 1-4, 2023 at the Fox Valley Police Academy in Appleton Wisconsin!!

Check out Field Training (Brew City Blues Book 1)!!
Enjoy the Cops and Writer's book series.
Please visit the Cops and Writers website.
If you have a question for the sarge, hit him up at his email.
Join the fun at

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

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 is dedicated to the memory of Agent Jared Francom EOW 01-05-12. 

Thank you for joining me today for the conclusion of a special two-part interview with a true American Hero, Lt. Nathan Hutchinson. Lt. Hutchinson is one of the most decorated police officers in American history and it was truly an honor to speak to the good lieutenant.

Lieutenant Nate Hutchinson has been a law enforcement officer with the Weber County Sheriff’s Office for 22 years.  

Prior to his promotion to lieutenant, Lieutenant Hutchinson was a sergeant assigned to the Weber Morgan Narcotics Strike Force for five years. He supervised the long term undercover narcotics investigation team, as well as worked undercover himself. On January 4th, 2012, then Sergeant Hutchinson, along with other members of the Weber Morgan Narcotic Strike Force, served a knock and announce search warrant on a small marijuana grow house. During the execution of the warrant, the grow operator ambushed the team. A thirteen-minute gun battle ensued in which six members of the team were struck by gunfire, with one member, Agent Jared Francom, suffering fatal wounds. During the gunfight, Sergeant Hutchinson entered the home under fire on three separate occasions in order to drag wounded officers out of the home.  During each entry into the home, Sergeant Hutchinson was shot, enduring a total of five gunshot wounds. Sergeant Hutchinson spent the better part of a year recovering from his wounds in order to return and continue his work as a member of the Weber Morgan Narcotics Strike Force.  After an additional 18 months at the Strike Force, Sergeant Hutchinson was promoted to lieutenant.  

Lieutenant Hutchinson is one of the most decorated US law enforcement officers, having received prestigious awards, including The United States Presidential Medal of Valor and The United States Congressional Badge of Bravery. He has also been recognized as Utah Narcotics officer of the year in 2012, The National Law Enforcement Officer of the month in March 2013, and The International Chiefs of Police Association officer of the year, among other state and local commendations.   

In today’s episode we discuss:

·      The execution of the search warrant that would change every member’s life forever. 

·      The physical and mental injuries that he and his teammates sustained, and how they coped with this tragedy.

·      Debrief and lessons learned.

·      Receiving the nation’s highest award for law enforcement and going to the White House to meet the Vice President.

·      Moving on. 

·      What’s in Nathan’s future?

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

Visit Nathan on his LinkedIn page.

Enjoy the Cops and Writer's book series.
Please visit the Cops and Writers website.
If you have a question for the sarge, hit him up at his email.
Join the fun at the

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

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’s show is dedicated to the memory of Agent Jared Francom EOW 01-05-12 who perished from wounds he sustained during the incident on 01-04-12. 

Thank you for joining me today for part one of a special two-part interview with a true American Hero, Lt. Nathan Hutchinson. Lt. Hutchinson is one of the most decorated police officers in American history and it was truly an honor to speak to the good lieutenant.

Lieutenant Nate Hutchinson has been a law enforcement officer with the Weber County Sheriff’s Office for 22 years. 

Prior to his promotion to lieutenant, Lieutenant Hutchinson was a sergeant assigned to the Weber-Morgan Narcotics Strike Force for five years. He supervised the long term undercover narcotics investigation team, as well as worked undercover himself. On January 4th, 2012, then Sergeant Hutchinson, along with other members of the Weber Morgan Narcotic Strike Force, served a knock-and-announce search warrant on a small marijuana grow house. During the execution of the warrant, the grow operator ambushed the team. A thirteen-minute gun battle ensued in which six members of the team were struck by gunfire, with one member, Agent Jared Francom, suffering fatal wounds. During the gunfight, Sergeant Hutchinson entered the home under fire on three separate occasions in order to drag wounded officers out of the home. During each entry into the home, Sergeant Hutchinson was shot, enduring five gunshot wounds. Sergeant Hutchinson spent the better part of a year recovering from his wounds in order to return and continue his work as a member of the Weber Morgan Narcotics Strike Force. After an additional 18 months at the Strike Force, Sergeant Hutchinson was promoted to lieutenant.  

Lieutenant Hutchinson is one of the most decorated law enforcement officers in the United States. Lieutenant Hutchinson is a recipient of the nation’s highest award for valor, The United States Presidential Medal of Valor, as well as the United States Congressional Badge of Bravery, as well as being the recipient of numerous state and local commendations.  

In today’s episode we discuss:

·      Why Nate chose law enforcement as a career. 

·      What influenced Nate to go into law enforcement?

·      How working a security job at Sears prepared him for his career in law enforcement.

·      His start in law enforcement and transfer to the Weber County Sheriff’s Office.

·      Why he became a detective. 

·      His attraction to narcotics investigations. 

·      The events that led up to the shooting on 01-04-12.

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

Visit Nathan on his LinkedIn page.

Come join the sarge and RJ Beam at the 2023 Cops and Writers Interactive Conference (Cop Camp) June 1-4, 2023 at the Fox Valley Police Academy in Appleton Wisconsin!!

Check out Field Training (Brew City Blu

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

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’s episode takes us to the Great White North, yes, we are going to my neighbor to the north, Canada to speak with retired Det. Sergeant Desmond Ryan of the Toronto Police. 

Born and raised in Toronto, Desmond P. Ryan graduated from the University of Toronto and joined what was then the Toronto Police Force. He has been a front-line officer, a beat cop, a patrol sergeant, an instructor at the Toronto Police College, and a detective over the almost thirty years of his career.

Now a retired detective, he writes crime fiction. Des is presently working on the Mike O’Shea Series and the Mary-Margaret Series, both published by Level Best Books.

Des lives in the Toronto neighbourhood known as Cabbagetown, where he can be seen wandering about, considering his next plot point or on his way to the pub.

In today’s episode, we discuss:

·      What got Desmond interested in law enforcement. 

·      The selection process for the Toronto Police Service.

·      What training Desmond went through at the Police University.

·      The different positions Desmond held during his thirty-year career.

·      Why he became a detective? 

·      The relationship between the RCMP and the Toronto Police Service. 

·      Retirement and his new career as a crime writer.

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

Visit Desmond on his website!
Come on over to see Desmond's Facebook page!
Desmond is on Instagram!

Come join the sarge and RJ Beam at the 2023 Cops and Writers Interactive Conference (Cop Camp) June 1-4, 2023 at the Fox Valley Police Academy in Appleton Wisconsin!!

Check out Field Training (Brew City Blues Book 1)!!
Enjoy the Cops and Writer's book series.
Please visit the Cops and Writers website.
If you have a question for the sarge, hit him up at his email.
Join the fun at the Cops and Writers Facebook group
Consider buying me a coffee :-)

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 St. Patrick's Day! Here is a rebroadcast from a few years ago with my favorite Irish Garda!

In this special St. Parick's Day bonus episode, Marie O'Hlloran shares her experiences as a 22 year veteran of the Irish Polic Force, An Garda Síochána.

Marie and I chat about everything from her training at Garda College, experiences on the job, and a treasure trove of other information about the Irish Police Force.

She also reveals her struggles with the aftermath of a near-fatal squad accident she was severely injured in, and how she uses writing as a coping mechanism.

Not only is Marie a Gard, but she also consults on various novels for best-selling writers and appears in the acknowledgments as Casey King, which is her pen name. Marie is a poet, playwright, and crime novel author.

Check out Marie on Twitter at @letstalkcrime

Enjoy the Cops and Writers book series.
Please visit the Cops and Writers website.
If you have a question for the sarge, hit him up at his email.
Come join the fun at the Cops and Writers Facebook group. 

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

Thank you for joining us today for the conclusion of a special two-part interview with retired FBI Special Agent Kyle Vowinkel. 

Kyle Vowinkel dedicated 33 years of service to his country as an FBI Special Agent, U.S. Army officer, and West Point graduate. He has significant leadership experience as an FBI senior executive who served at multiple FBI offices and retired as Assistant Special Agent in Charge (ASAC) in Miami.

Prior to ASAC, he served on two unique U.S. national assets–the FBI's elite Hostage Rescue Team (HRT) and the U.S. government’s negotiation arm, the Crisis Negotiation Unit (CNU). 

 The FBI sent him to over twenty countries, including China, Qatar, Kenya, South Korea, and Peru.  He deployed as a tactical operator on HRT on hundreds of high-risk missions domestically as well as overseas in Iraq and Afghanistan. At CNU he negotiated with kidnappers, pirates, and terrorists. He has deployed to several high-profile situations, including the Boston Marathon bomber, where he convinced him to give up peacefully. He led the negotiation that resulted in the successful rescue of the five-year-old boy known as the “boy in the bunker.” 

In today’s episode we discuss:

.      Kyle's role as a Crisis Negotiator successfully convincing one of the Boston Marathon Bombing suspects to surrender peacefully. 

·      We discuss the movie Patriot’s Day and the accuracy of the movie compared to the actual event.

·      Kyle and the team of Crisis Negotiators who responded to the “Boy in the Bunker” standoff that occurred in 2013.

·      Working in concert with local law enforcement and the FBI’s HRT team during the seven-day standoff.

·      Believing in a higher power during life and death situations. 

·      Lessons learned from this event and the importance of a debrief.

·      Kyle writing a book about his life and the intense situations he participated in.

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

Check out Kyle's LinkedIn page!
Head over to Kyle's website!
Kyle being interviewed by Jerry Williams on her podcast!
My interview with Gary Noesner!

Come join the sarge and RJ Beam at the 2023 Cops and Writers Interactive Conference (Cop Camp) June 1-4, 2023 at the Fox Valley Police Academy in Appleton Wisconsin!!

Check out Field Training (Brew City Blues Book 1)!!
Enjoy the Cops and Writer's book series.
Please visit the Cops and Writers website.
If you have a question for the sarge, hit him up at his email.
Join the fun at the Cops and Writers Facebook group
Consider buying me a coffee :-)

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

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

Thank you for joining us today for episode one of a special two-part interview with retired FBI Special Agent Kyle Vowinkel. 

Kyle Vowinkel dedicated 33 years of service to his country as an FBI Special Agent, U.S. Army officer, and West Point graduate. He has significant leadership experience as an FBI senior executive who served at multiple FBI offices and retired as Assistant Special Agent in Charge (ASAC) in Miami.

Prior to ASAC, he served on two unique U.S. national assets – the FBI's elite Hostage Rescue Team (HRT) and the U.S. government’s negotiation arm, the Crisis Negotiation Unit (CNU). 

 The FBI sent him to over twenty countries, including China, Qatar, Kenya, South Korea, and Peru. He deployed as a tactical operator on HRT on hundreds of high-risk missions domestically as well as overseas in Iraq and Afghanistan. At CNU he negotiated with kidnappers, pirates, and terrorists. He has deployed to several high-profile situations, including the Boston Marathon bomber, where he convinced him to give up peacefully. He led the negotiation that resulted in the successful rescue of the five-year-old boy known as the “boy in the bunker.”

In today’s episode we discuss:

·      Kyle’s appointment to West Point Military Academy. 

·      His motivations to become an officer in the United States Army and the impact that had on his future in law enforcement.

·      How he dealt with adversity and became a member of the elite FBI Hostage Rescue Team (HRT).

·      Best practices to prepare yourself to become a member of the HRT.

·      Kyle’s oversea deployments to over twenty different countries with the FBI. 

·      Kyle joining the FBI Crisis Negotiation Unit (CNU). 

·      Negotiating with kidnappers, pirates, and terrorists.

·      Working in concert with local law enforcement during a crisis situation.

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

Check out Kyle's LinkedIn page!
Head over to Kyle's website!
Kyle being interviewed by Jerry Williams on her podcast!
My interview with Gary Noesner!

Come join the sarge and RJ Beam at the 2023 Cops and Writers Interactive Conference (Cop Camp) June 1-4, 2023 at the Fox Valley Police Academy in Appleton Wisconsin!!

Check out Field Training (Brew City Blues Book 1)!!
Enjoy the Cops and Writer's book series.
Please visit the Cops and Writers website.
If you have a question for the sarge, hit him up at his email.
Join the fun at the Cops and Writers Facebook group
Consider buying me a coffee :-)

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

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’s episode is very exciting for two reasons. First, I will be chatting with RJ Beam. RJ is currently a police academy instructor and has worked in public safety for most of his adult life. RJ was a volunteer firefighter/EMT before starting work as a city cop. During his career, he has held positions in patrol, bike cop, SWAT, and CSI. Investigations and CSI work are his love, which is where he spent most of his time.

RJ is a published author and is the Vice President of the Public Safety Writers Association.

Now for the big announcement! RJ and I will host the first ever, Cops and Writers Interactive Conference that will take place on June 1-4, 2023, in Appleton Wisconsin at the Fox Valley Technical College and Police Academy.

In today’s episode, we discuss:

·      Why RJ was interested in law enforcement. 

·      His first job in public safety and why he chose police work.

·      What was his favorite / least favorite part of being a cop.

·      How he wound up teaching at a police academy.

·      How training has changed from the time he went to the police academy to the present day. 

·      His writing career, When did it start and why do it?

·      Co-hosting the Cops and Writers Interactive Conference, also known as Cop Camp. 

·      Why have the conference and what to expect as a student.

·      Some of what will be offered at the conference.

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

Visit RJ at his website, premeditated fiction!

Come join the sarge and RJ Beam at the 2023 Cops and Writers Interactive Conference (Cop Camp) June 1-4, 2023 at the Fox Valley Police Academy in Appleton Wisconsin!!

Check out Field Training (Brew City Blues Book 1)!!
Enjoy the Cops and Writer's book series.
Please visit the Cops and Writers website.
If you have a question for the sarge, hit him up at his email.
Join the fun at the Cops and Writers Facebook group
Consider buying me a coffee :-)

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 our special two-part interview with retired Police Sergeant John Ferriso of the New York Police Department. 

John Ferriso was a member of the NYPD from 1993-2013. With 20 years of experience as Patrol Officer, September 11th Rescue and Recovery and Patrol Supervisor, Sergeant in charge of both the Internal Affairs Bureau and the Missing Persons Squad. John Supervised and investigated over 7,000 cases per year while assigned to the Missing Persons Squad. 

 John has his own Private Investigation Company, Ferris Investigations, specializing in Missing Persons Cases. John volunteers his investigative experience to nationwide nonprofit organizations conducting missing person investigators. He helps other investigators with their missing investigations and looks at new aspects of cold cases while assisting family members in finding answers.  

A short story, in a New York Minute: An officer’s eyewitness account of the events of September 11, 2001, was published online.

In today’s episode we discuss:

·      More fun with the Internal Affairs Bureau, including how influential politicians attempt to sway investigations with predetermined outcomes to investigations. 

·      John’s time as a sergeant in the NYPD’s Missing Persons Squad.

·      How the Missing Persons Squad dealt with 7,000 cases a year!

·      Why he wanted to go to the Missing Persons Squad.

·      How the Special Victim’s Unit and Homicide worked together with the Missing Persons unit. 

·      Stranger abductions. 

· Post-retirement and starting a private investigations company.

·      Working missing persons cases as a private investigator and working together with law enforcement in these cases.

·      His essay, “In a New York Minute” An officer’s eyewitness account of the events of September 11, 2001. 

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

Check out John on his LinkedIn page.
Read John's firsthand account of 9/11 in this article that he wrote.

Check out Field Training (Brew City Blues Book 1)!!
Enjoy the Cops and Writer's book series.
Please visit the Cops and Writers website.
If you have a question for the sarge, hit him up at his email.
Join the fun at the Cops and Writers Facebook group

Consider buying me a coffee :-)

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 is episode one of a special two-part interview with retired Police Sergeant John Ferriso of the New York Police Department. 

John Ferriso was a member of the NYPD from 1993-2013. With 20 years of experience as Patrol Officer, September 11th Rescue and Recovery and Patrol Supervisor, Sergeant in charge of both the Internal Affairs Bureau and the Missing Persons Squad. John Supervised and investigated over 7,000 cases per year while assigned to the Missing Persons Squad. 

 John has his own Private Investigation Company, Ferris Investigations, specializing in Missing Persons Cases. John volunteers his investigative experience to nationwide nonprofit organizations conducting missing person investigators. He helps other investigators with their missing investigations and looks at new aspects of cold cases, while assisting family members in finding answers.  

A short story, in a New York Minute: An officer’s eyewitness account of the events of September 11, 2001, was published online.

In today’s episode, we discuss:

·      Why he was interested in law enforcement? 

·      Why he chose the New York Police Department to work.

·      What he was doing and what his job was after the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center.

·      How he dealt with the rumors and aftermath of the terrorist attack.

·      How the city came together during this time of tragedy and their attitude towards the police. 

·      Lessons learned from 9/11. 

·      His time as a sergeant in the Internal Affairs Unit.

·      Common misconceptions and attitudes towards members of I.A.D.

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

Check out John on his LinkedIn page.
Read John's firsthand account of 9/11 in this article that he wrote.

Check out Field Training (Brew City Blues Book 1)!!
Enjoy the Cops and Writer's book series.
Please visit the Cops and Writers website.
If you have a question for the sarge, hit him up at his email.
Join the fun at the Cops and Writers Facebook group

Consider buying me a coffee :-)

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