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Today our special guest is Coroner Darren Dake.

We discuss his 30-year career in law enforcement including 20 years being a death investigator, and most recently his election to the position of coroner. 

Darren takes us into death investigations in detail. We discuss cases involving infants to senior citizens. Because of this, some may find this episode unsettling and disturbing, this is definitely an episode that is not suitable for children.

Darren also explains how he and his investigators deal with the daily exposure to death and tragedy. He also sheds light on the potential problems that face those who are constantly exposed to these events. 

Darren and I also debunk common mistakes that writers make when dealing with death investigations.

Listen to the Coroner Talk Podcast
Check out the Death Investigations Academy.

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

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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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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

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In today's episode, Scott Moon shares with us how he balances his job as a police lieutenant with a successful author career.

Scott shares his journey as a young man traveling to  Los Angeles to be in a metal band playing guitar. How years later he wound up being a police officer and now attained the rank of lieutenant, and his continuing success running his author business.

You don't want to miss this story!

Visit Scott at his website!
Check out the Keystroke Medium website and their YouTube channel.
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

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Send us a text

In today's show, Josh Hayes of Keystroke Medium takes us on his Journey from police officer to full-time author.

Josh takes us down his path from growing up as a military brat, joining the United States Air Force, becoming a police officer where he worked as a patrol officer, bicycle officer, community policing officer,  and being a member of the bomb squad, to eventually retiring early to become a full-time author.

Josh walks us through a typical day as an author and his experiences with collaborations. Josh also explains how he and his friend Scott Moon formed Keystroke Medium, a popular youtube channel, and podcast.

Please visit Josh at his website.
Check out the Keystroke Medium website and their YouTube channel.
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

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Today we are going to take you into the courtroom with our special guest former Assistant District Attorney Sharon Riek of the Racine County District Attorney’s Office.

Have you ever wondered what happens next after a person is arrested and processed by the police? Who ultimately decides on what criminal charge a person will face and will try this case in a court of law?

Look no further! ADA Riek will reveal the inner workings of the criminal justice system for you. In this episode, ADA Riek will give detailed explanations of how a person is charged with a crime, the different hearings that could result before trial, how she prepared for felony cases (including homicide trials), the role of confidential informants, and the DA’s office, and personal stories of putting away dangerous felons during her career.

Enjoy the Cops and Writers book series.
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.
If you would be so kind to help out the sarge with this podcast, visit his Patreon page.

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 going to the crime lab with our special guest Forensic DNA Analyst Melissa Kreikemeier. 

If you write stories that involve forensic science and want to get your facts straight regarding this often-misunderstood field of police science, this episode is for you.

Melissa will also take us on her journey into how she got into this fascinating field of forensic science.

Melissa explains the misconceptions and misrepresentations of this science common on television shows, books, and movies. Melissa goes deep into how DNA analysis is used in police work and how it is utilized in solving crimes.

Please visit Melissa at flowers and forensics.

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.
If you would be so kind to help out the sarge with this podcast, visit his Patreon page., 

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

Do you write stories involving the Royal Canadian Mounted Police? Or are you just curious about this historic police organization or police work in Canada? If you answered yes, this is the episode for you!

In today's episode, we're going north to Canada to learn about the Royal Canadian Mounted Police force. (Retired) Sergeant Patrick O'Donnell interviews Constable Forest Macek of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

Constable Macek discusses the selection process, training, and careers available in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. She also shares true-life stories from her five-year career.

Constable Macek also tells us how she went from going to school to be a whale trainer, to ultimately becoming a Constable in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

Enjoy the Cops and Writers book series.
Visit the Cops and Writers website.
If you have a question for the sarge, hit him up at his email address.
Come join the fun at the Cops and Writers Facebook group.
If you would be so kind to help out the sarge with this podcast, visit his Patreon page.

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

Episode one of the Cops and Writers podcast. Your host Patrick O'Donnell welcomes all of you who want to write more compelling and accurate crime stories.

In this short introductory episode, O'Donnell explains that most of his shows will be interviews with members of state, federal, and local law enforcement. He will ask the questions that you want answers to about the often misunderstood and misrepresented world of police work.

He will also interview authors and screenwriters and find out what works for them in this ever-changing landscape of selling and publishing books. 

Enjoy the Cops and Writers book series.
If you have questions, feel free to email the sarge at [email protected]
The sarge loves it when people visit his website, so please do.
Don't miss out on the fun, join his Facebook group Cops and Writers!
If you want to support O'Donnell's podcast, please do at his patreon page. 

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

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

Send us a text

In today's episode, Patrick O'Donnell interviews veteran Police Detective Adam Richardson of the "Writers Detective Bureau" Facebook group and podcast.

(Retired) Sergeant  Patrick O'Donnell and Det. Richardson discusses how a police officer becomes a detective and what special training and testing are required to become a detective. Richardson also reveals what a typical day looks like for a detective.

Richardson will share his journey from a rookie cop to a veteran detective and his motivations for joining the force.

O'Donnell and Richardson will debunk common myths and misconceptions regarding the role of detectives in police work, so you can write more authentic stories. O'Donnell and Richardson will also share real stories from their law enforcement careers to give you, the writer, a better understanding of what the role detectives play in law enforcement.

Join the Writers Detective Bureau Facebook group.
Listen to the Writers Detective Bureau podcast

Enjoy the Cops and Writers book series.
Visit the Cops and Writers website.
If you have a question for the sarge, hit him up at his email address.
Come join the Cops and Writers Facebook group.
If you would be so kind to help out the sarge with this podcast, visit his Patreon page.

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