Cops and Writers Podcast

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In this episode of the Cops and Writers Podcast bonus series, retired Milwaukee Police Sergeant Patrick O'Donnell reads Chapter 33, "A Tale of Two Kidnappings," from his upcoming book:

Police Stories: The Rookie Years - True Crime, Chaos, & Life as a Big City Cop

With the Nancy Guthrie case dominating headlines, this chapter reveals what kidnapping calls are really like for cops—and the difference between what you see on TV and what actually happens on the streets.

Most kidnapping calls are bullshit. But when they're real, every cop drops everything.

The first story: One of Patrick's first nights riding solo. A "kidnapping" call that turned out to be a domestic dispute, with an unfortunate twist.

The second story: A real kidnapping. A mother duct-taped to a chair, beaten unconscious by her ex in a crack cocaine-fueled rage. Her five-year-old son is missing. Every cop on the shift came together. They weren't going home until they got that child back.

All stories are real. Names and locations have been changed where necessary.

🎧 This episode includes:

• Nancy Guthrie case context - "search, not a rescue."
• Patrick's first solo kidnapping call as a rookie
• The real kidnapping: Woman beaten unconscious, five-year-old son taken
• Hitting every crack house in the district
• Good news: The kidnapper dropped the kid off at Grandma's house
• "He didn't have the stomach for being a dad. Five-year-olds are a lot of work."
• Suspect arrested in Memphis, brought back to Milwaukee
• When it's real, every cop drops everything - "We weren't going home until we got that child back."

📘 About the Book:
Police Stories: The Rookie Years - True Crime, Chaos, & Life as a Big City Cop is a true crime memoir chronicling Patrick O'Donnell's early career as a big city cop during Milwaukee's crack wars in the 1990s.

Book Launch: Coming sooner than you think - stay tuned!
Book Update: Pre-orders are LIVE on Amazon. The book is currently a #1 New Release in Biographies of Law Enforcement. 

🔗 Pre-order now for $3.99 (price goes up after launch): Search "Police Stories Patrick O'Donnell" on Amazon or check the link below.

📧 Contact Patrick:
Email: [email protected]
Website: copsandwriters.com
Facebook Group: Cops and Writers

👍 If this story stuck with you:
Subscribe, leave a review, and share with someone who wants to know what real kidnapping investigations look like—not the TV version.

🎙️ Next week: Back to regular programming with a guest interview.

New chapters from the book continue every Wednesday night.

Visit the Cops & Writers Website!

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Welcome everyone to part one of my interview with Professor and El Paso County Sheriff’s Department Investigator Jennifer Bucholtz. The conclusion of this interview will air next Sunday!

Jennifer Bucholtz is a former U.S. Army Counterintelligence Agent and a decorated veteran of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. She holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Northern Arizona University, a master’s degree in criminal justice from the City University of New York’s John Jay College of Criminal Justice, and a master’s degree in forensic science from National University. Ms. Bucholtz has an extensive background in U.S. military and Department of Defense counterintelligence operations. 

Ms. Bucholtz is currently an adjunct faculty member at AMU, teaching courses in criminal justice and forensic sciences. Additionally, she is a cold-case investigator for her local sheriff’s office, host of AMU’s investigative podcast “Break The Case,” and founder of the 501(c) (3) nonprofit, Break The Case.

Please enjoy this eye opening, and fascinating interview with someone who has done so many incredible things and continues to serve her community. 

In today’s episode, we discuss:

·      Jen’s Childhood and influences. 

·      Working as a corrections officer in a maximum-security prison.

·      Her internship with the New York Medical Examiners' Office.

·      Her first death case and autopsy.

·      Joining the army and being a counterintelligence agent.

·      What it was like interrogating enemies of the United States.

·      Using science and intuition in her interrogations.

·      Body language, micro-expressions, and other clues in interrogations.

·      Her book, There is no GOAT.

·      People in Afghanistan not knowing about 9/11 or Osama Bin Laden

·      Post-military life and working as a contractor overseas.

·      Working for the State Department, teaching Indonesian police.

·      Being a college professor.

·      Her interest in cold cases.

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

Visit Break the Case!

Visit the Cops & Writers Website!

Check out my newest book! Police Stories: The Rookie Years - True Crime, Chaos & Life as a Big City Cop!

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 episode of the Cops and Writers Podcast bonus series, retired Milwaukee Police Sergeant Patrick O'Donnell reads Chapter 32, "Wojo," from his upcoming book:

Police Stories: The Rookie Years - True Crime, Chaos, & Life as a Big City Cop

There were characters on the job who should have been stand-up comedians. Wojo was one of those guys.

But one morning at 7:00 AM, Wojo got serious. A man barricaded himself in an apartment with a rifle pointed at his five-year-old son's head. SWAT was on the way. Hours of negotiation loomed.

The way Wojo negotiated with the suspect was unorthodox but effective. 

All stories are real. Names and locations have been changed where necessary.

🎧 This episode includes:

• Wojo running out of gas—again—and hitchhiking to a gas station
• Choir practice one-liners: "I had to feed the old lady breakfast first. A pack of Newports and a six-pack of Pabst Blue Ribbon."
• A 7:00 AM rifle call-subject shooting out a window at a four-family apartment
• The scene: A man in boxers, covered in sweat, rifle pointed at his terrified five-year-old son's head
• Watching the suspect's trigger finger: "If he moved his index finger to the trigger, I would be forced to shoot."
• Wojo's unorthodox negotiation tactic: "I don't want to work too much overtime."
• The empty rifle reveal: "What if I shot this guy who was holding an empty gun?"
• Walking out like heroes—Wojo carrying the suspect "like a trophy."
• The aftermath: Commendation written up, but later denied
• "Thanks for the laughs, Wojo, until we meet again."

📘 About the Book:
Police Stories: The Rookie Years - True Crime, Chaos, & Life as a Big City Cop is a true crime memoir chronicling Patrick O'Donnell's early career as a big city cop during Milwaukee's crack wars in the 1990s.

Book Release: Mid-March 2026
Book Update: Pre-orders are LIVE on Amazon. The book is currently a #1 New Release in Biographies of Law Enforcement. 

🔗 Pre-order now for $3.99 (price goes up after launch): Search "Police Stories Patrick O'Donnell" on Amazon or check the link below.

📧 Contact Patrick:
Email: [email protected]
Website: copsandwriters.com
Facebook Group: Cops and Writers

👍 If this story stuck with you:
Subscribe, leave a review, and share with someone who can handle the truth about what cops see behind the badge.

🎙️ Next week: We're back to regular programming with a guest interview.

New chapters every Wednesday night.

Visit the Cops & Writers website!

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

Welcome everyone as we travel to the city of brotherly love and Rocky, Philadelphia. Today on the show, we have former Philadelphia warrant squad member Tristin Kilgallon.  

Tristin grew up in Philadelphia and started his career in law enforcement with the city’s Warrant Unit, tracking fugitives and working the tough streets of Philly. 

Tristin later moved to Ohio to attend law school, earning a JD and LLM. Tristin went on to teach pre-law and criminal justice for more than a decade before joining LexisNexis, where he now works in the legal tech industry, helping law firms adopt AI-driven tools. He’s also the co-author of Philly Warrant Unit, a true-crime memoir about his time working fugitive apprehension in Philadelphia.

Please enjoy this fun interview about a unique and small crime-fighting unit that had a large impact on crime, which no longer exists.

In today’s episode, we discuss:

·      Growing up in the rough part of Philly. 

·      Where and how Tristin got interested in law enforcement.

·      What led him to the Philly Warrant Unit, and why he didn’t pursue a career with the Philly Police.

·      Did his investigations ever conflict with the local PD, state, or feds?

·      How they picked which warrants to execute. 

·      Knock vs. No-Knock Warrants.

·      The difference between a search/arrest warrant.

·      The prostitute calling the police on herself.

·      Meeting Sylvester Stallone.

·      Why he went into a teaching career.

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

Check out the Philly Warrant Unit Facebook page. 

Visit the Cops & Writers Website!

Check out my newest book! Police Stories: The Rookie Years - True Crime, Chaos & Life as a Big City Cop!

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

In this episode of the Cops and Writers Podcast bonus series, retired Milwaukee Police Sergeant Patrick O'Donnell reads Chapter 31, "All-City Assist," from his upcoming book:

Police Stories: The Rookie Years - True Crime, Chaos, & Life as a Big City Cop

Rachel and Patrick are processing a routine arrest at District Five when the radio crackles to life: "245B, they're shooting at us! Send us more squads!"

It's Grace—Rachel's old partner—getting shot at in a gangway next to the Blues Oasis Tavern. The dispatcher opens the channel citywide: "Any squad, assist the officers. They are taking gunfire."

An all-city assist. Every cop drops everything and responds.

When Rachel and Patrick arrive, they find three dead bodies, cops returning fire in a gangway, and a suspect shooting at officers with a .357 Magnum. Inside the tavern, they clear a dark basement not knowing if someone is waiting to shoot them. When they come back upstairs, Patrick looks down and sees a sea of bullet casings—more than he'd ever seen in 25 years.

Three people are dead. Cops were almost killed. And a short blurb on the evening news.

All stories are real. Names and locations have been changed where necessary.

⚠️ CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains graphic descriptions of violence, active shooter scenarios, and multiple deaths. Listener discretion is strongly advised.

🎧 This episode includes:

• What "all-city assist" means
• Grace's voice screaming over the radio: "They're shooting at us!"
• The suspect with a .357 Magnum, pretending to surrender while shooting at cops
• A bullet ricocheting off bricks and shattering a cop's glasses
• The Marine who calmly requested backup as if he was "ordering a pizza"
• Patrick tripping over the first body in the gutter
• Two dead victims inside—one still holding his Budweiser
• Auditory exclusion, tunnel vision, and the fight-or-flight response
• Rachel and Patrick clearing a dark basement: "You're going too fast!" "You're going too slow!"
• A sea of bullet casings covered the floor
• "Swede" tearing the suspect off a fence and crushing his collarbone
• Choir practice at Rookies—cops using popcorn and glasses to replay the scene
• Going home to a family who had no idea what had just happened
• A short blurb on the evening news—three dead, but the public never knew the full story

📘 About the Book:
Police Stories: The Rookie Years - True Crime, Chaos, & Life as a Big City Cop is a true crime memoir chronicling Patrick O'Donnell's early career as a big city cop during Milwaukee's crack wars in the 1990s.

Book Release: Mid-March 2026
Book Update: The manuscript is with the editor! Pre-orders are LIVE on Amazon. The book is currently a #1 New Release in the Biographies of Law Enforcement category.

🔗 Pre-order now: Search "Police Stories: The Rookie Years Patrick O'Donnell" on Amazon or check the link below.

📧 Contact Patrick:
Email: [email protected]
Website: copsandwriters.com
Facebook Group: Cops and Writers

👍 If this story stuck with you:
Subscribe, leave a review, and share with someone who can handle the truth about what cops see behind the badge.

New chapters every Wednesday night.

Visit the Cops & Writers Website!

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

Welcome back everyone for the conclusion to my interview with retired Central Florida Sheriff Deputy Michael Dilks. 

Mike is a retired Deputy Sheriff and Police Officer with 23 years with experience in patrol, investigations, and undercover narcotics. 

Mike was a member of SWAT, the United States Marshals Fugitive Task Force, the DEA Narcotics Task Force and supervised a Street Crimes Unit. 

Prior to his law enforcement career, Mike served three years in the United States Army as an Airborne Infantryman.

Michael is the mastermind behind the highly successful and controversial meme page @CopvilleOG and the Lock’d Up with Copville Podcast. 

Michael is also the co-host and co-owner of The Anti-Hero Broadcast.

Mike was involved in and was 100% invested in his career, especially doing undercover narcotics work, and it cost him his marriage and sobriety. Mike’s personal rock bottom, that included being the focus of an FBI investigation and his best friend and Sheriff turning his back on him. 

He rose above all of it and has turned his energy into a successful podcast and creative content career.

Please enjoy this eye opening, and informative interview with someone who has risen from the ashes. 

In today’s episode, we discuss:

·      The bitter end to his law enforcement career. 

·      His wife and daughter working for the crocked Sheriff who forced him to retire.

·      What can be done to retore law enforcement today?

·      What real community policing looks like.

·      Cops fall in love with the job and don’t know what to do when the job doesn’t love them back.

·      Where his entrepreneurial spirit came from.

·      Copville, The Antihero Podcast, and other businesses. How he balance’s work and family?

·      The Antihero broadcast. 

·      Mike has been exposed to a lot of good and bad stuff. Has it pushed him away or towards God or a higher power?

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

Connect with Michael Dilks:
Instagram: @copvilleog
Podcast Instagram: @the_antihero_podcast
Website: www.copvilleog.com
YouTube:   / @copvilleog  

 Visit the Cops & Writers Website!

Check out my newest book! Police Stories: The Rookie Years - True Crime, Chaos & Life as a Big City Cop!

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

In this episode of the Cops and Writers Podcast bonus series, retired Milwaukee Police Sergeant Patrick O'Donnell reads Chapter 28, "Wow! That's Realistic!" from his upcoming book:

Police Stories: The Rookie Years - True Crime, Chaos, & Life as a Big City Cop

It's 2:00 AM at District Five. Patrick and his partner Rachel are processing an arrest when a bloodcurdling scream echoes from the front lobby: "Help! He's been shot!"

What they find is a dead body with a gunshot wound to the head, a grieving girlfriend, and—behind the victim—District Five's crime prevention display: a casket surrounded by yellow crime scene tape for Police Week.

Hours later, after the body is removed, but the blood remains, the captain walks through and delivers the perfect line: "Damn, that is one realistic crime scene display!"

All stories are real. Names and locations have been changed where necessary.

🎧 This episode includes:

• Why Rachel didn't want to work with Patrick (Grace told her everything)
• The silent treatment shift: eight hours, no breaks, zero conversation
• A running gunfight between two couples that ends in District Five's lobby
• The anti-drunk driving display with a real casket and crime scene tape
• "Oh, the irony of it all."
• How dark humor helps cops survive the worst nights

📘 About the Book:
Police Stories: The Rookie Years - True Crime, Chaos, & Life as a Big City Cop is a true crime memoir chronicling Patrick O'Donnell's early career as a big city cop during Milwaukee's crack wars in the 1990s.

Book Release: Mid-March 2026
Book Update: The manuscript is with the editor! Pre-orders are LIVE on Amazon. The book is currently a #1 New Release in the Biographies of Law Enforcement category.

🔗 Pre-order now: Search "Police Stories: The Rookie Years Patrick O'Donnell" on Amazon or check the link below.

📧 Contact Patrick:
Email: [email protected]
Website: copsandwriters.com
Facebook Group: Cops and Writers

👍 If this story stuck with you:
Subscribe, leave a review, and share with someone who can handle the truth about what cops see behind the badge.

🎙️ Next week: Chapter 31, "All-City Assist" - Three dead bodies, cops taking fire, and a sea of bullet casings at the Blues Oasis. The most intense chapter in the book.

New chapters every Wednesday night.

Visit the Cops & Writers Website!

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

Welcome, everyone to part one of my interview with retired Central Florida Sheriff's Deputy Michael Dilks. The conclusion of this interview will air next Sunday!

Mike is a retired Deputy Sheriff and Police Officer with 23 years of experience in patrol, investigations, and undercover narcotics. 

Mike was a member of SWAT, the United States Marshals Fugitive Task Force, the DEA Narcotics Task Force and supervised a Street Crimes Unit. 

Prior to his law enforcement career, Mike served three years in the United States Army as an Airborne Infantryman.

Michael is the mastermind behind the highly successful and controversial meme page @CopvilleOG and the Lock’d Up with Copville Podcast. 

 Michael is also the co-host and co-owner of The Anti-Hero Broadcast.

Mike was involved in and was 100% invested in his career, especially doing undercover narcotics work, and it cost him his marriage and sobriety. Mike’s personal rock bottom, which included being the focus of an FBI investigation and his best friend and the sheriff turning his back on him. 

He rose above all of it and has turned his energy into a successful podcast and creative content career.

Please enjoy this eye-opening and informative interview with someone who has risen from the ashes. 

In today’s episode, we discuss:

·      Where and how he got interested in law enforcement. 

·      His time in the United States Army.

·      Being on the SWAT team.

·      Being assigned to a DEA task force.

·      Going undercover as a narcotics officer.

·      Having a dirty cop as a boss. 

·      Being married to the job, not his wife.

·      Hitting rock bottom, abusing alcohol, and a negative lifestyle.

·      Being accused of working with drug dealers!

·      Being the focus of an FBI investigation and having his phone tapped.

·      The sheriff, also his best friend, turned his back on him.

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

Connect with Michael Dilks:
Instagram: @copvilleog
Podcast Instagram: @the_antihero_podcast
Website: www.copvilleog.com
YouTube:   / @copvilleog  

 Visit the Cops & Writers Website!

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

In this episode of the Cops and Writers Podcast, retired Milwaukee Police Sergeant Patrick O'Donnell reads Chapter 18, Cannibal Dad, from his upcoming book:

Police Stories: The Rookie Years - True Crime, Chaos, & Life as a Big City Cop

Fresh off probation and officially a "real cop," Patrick rides for the first time without a senior officer alongside his academy classmate, Tommie. What starts as an exciting milestone—two rookies on top of the world—turns into one of the most disturbing calls of Patrick's twenty-five-year career when they respond to a family trouble call at 7:00 AM.

All stories are real. Names and locations have been changed where necessary.

⚠️ CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains graphic descriptions of violence involving a father and daughter. Listener discretion is strongly advised.

🎧 This episode includes:

• Patrick received his District Five Honor and Valor tie bar after getting off probation.
• The first shift riding with Tommie—no training officer, just two rookies.
• A family trouble call that starts with the smell of booze and a blood-stained shirt.
• "My daddy bit my nose off!"
• The head-through-drywall moment: "Holy shit, O'Donnell! We k*lled him!"
• A father who swallowed part of his daughter's nose and "smacked his lips as if he'd just finished a steak dinner."
• The moment two rookie cops realize just how dark the job can get.

📘 About the Book: Police Stories: The Rookie Years - True Crime, Chaos, & Life as a Big City Cop is a true crime memoir chronicling Patrick O'Donnell's early career as a big city cop during Milwaukee's crack wars in the 1990s.

Book release: March 2026

Book Update: The introduction and book description are complete! We're on track for the March 2026 launch. Subscribe to be notified when pre-orders go live.

📧 Contact Patrick:
Email: [email protected]
Website: copsandwriters.com
Facebook Group: Cops and Writers

👍 If this story stuck with you: Subscribe, leave a review, and share with someone who can handle the truth about what cops see behind the badge.

🎙️ New chapters every Wednesday night.

Visit the Cops & Writers Website!

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas? Not today. Welcome back, everyone, to the conclusion of my interview with retired Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Sergeant Jenn Benjamins. 

Jenn Benjamins is a retired sergeant from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department with nearly 22 years of real-world experience in patrol, case investigations, and covert/undercover operations.

Her interest in undercover work led her to the Vice Section, where she refused to be limited by traditional expectations. While excelling in female undercover roles, Jenn was determined - and succeeded - in working undercover alongside her male counterparts. She developed a specialized training program within the Vice Section, implemented policy, and conducted department-wide training on vice crimes and related laws.

Throughout her career, Jenn worked a wide variety of undercover assignments throughout Las Vegas, collaborating not only with specialized units such as narcotics but also with federal partners, including the ATF, DEA, and FBI. 

Recognizing a critical need, Jenn founded Covert Blue, where she makes it her mission to provide specialized training for women in undercover roles - programs that build technical expertise while also addressing the unique dynamics and challenges women face in the field.

Please enjoy this very real and informative interview with someone who has lived a life that is found more often in movies and books. Vegas baby!

In today’s episode, we discuss:

·      How long did she work in Vice as a cop and sergeant doing UC work? 

·      Where did these prostitutes come from?

·      What’s a trick roll?

·      What’s the difference between a carpet ho and a renegade ho?

·      The most memorable arrests or situations she had during her career?  

·      Your company Covert Blue LLC, why start this and who is it for?

·      The personal toll that working vice takes on a cop.

·      Best advice for someone who wants to work as an undercover cop.

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

Check out Jenn's website!

Visit the Cops & Writers Website!

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