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In this episode of the Cops and Writers Podcast, retired Milwaukee Police Sergeant Patrick O’Donnell reads Chapter 12, Pistol Packing Grandma Moses, from his upcoming book:

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

While still a rookie cop "warhorsing" (filling in for other officers), Patrick partners with DJ, a 6'5", 300-pound gentle giant and former Chicago Bears. What starts as a routine 911 hang-up call and a tree branch banging on a roof turns into one of the most terrifying moments of Patrick's early career.

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

🎧 This episode includes:

-A drunk college kid learning why you don't refuse entry to cops on a welfare check.

-An elderly woman is convinced someone is breaking into her attic. 

-A cocked .38 revolver aimed at a rookie cop's back. 

-The moment Patrick realizes Grandma Moses almost "put a cap in his ass." 

-Dark humor, near-death by a sweet old lady, and another day on Milwaukee's streets.

📘 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 the 1990s. Book release: March 2026.

📧 Contact Patrick: Email: [email protected] Social Media: [your handles]

👍 If this story stuck with you: Subscribe, leave a review, and share with someone who appreciates real stories from behind the badge.

🎙️ New chapters every Wednesday night.

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What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas? Not today. Welcome, everyone, to part one of my interview with retired Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Sergeant Jenn Benjamins. The conclusion of this interview will be next Sunday!

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.

She began her career in patrol before moving into Community Oriented Policing, serving in one of the newest area commands in the oldest, most historic parts of Las Vegas. 

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 went on to develop a specialized training program within the Vice Section, implement policy, and conduct 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 eye-opening, entertaining, and informative interview with someone who has lived a life that is found more often in movies and books. 

In today’s episode, we discuss:

·      Where and how she got interested in law enforcement. 

·      Why be a cop in Vegas?

·      Jenn’s experience in the police academy being one of the few females in her class.

·      Her first day of field training.

·      An armed suspect firing at an airship on her first assignment.

·      Her first day going out solo when she finished field training. 

·      First time riding the lightning (Taser) during training.

·      Jenn’s crazy pepper spray story.

·      How soon she started doing undercover work. Was she ready?

·      Her first time being an undercover prostitute and an interesting question she didn’t know how to answer.

·      Arresting pimps and other prostitutes for pandering.

 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

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Send us Fan Mail

In this episode of the Cops and Writers Podcast, retired Milwaukee Police Sergeant Patrick O’Donnell reads the Introduction and Chapter 1, Baptism By Fire! from his upcoming book:

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

These are true stories from Patrick’s first years working the streets of Milwaukee during the height of the crack wars—stories of chaos, dark humor, tragedy, and survival that don’t make it onto TV shows.

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

🎧 This episode includes:
– O'Donnell facing a life-or-death situation in his first week of field training
– Being in a trauma room watching a doctor perform open-heart massage
– True crime, gallows humor, and raw street-level reality

📘 About the Book:
Police Stories: The Rookie Years is a true crime memoir chronicling Patrick O’Donnell’s early career as a big city cop.

👍 Like, comment, and share if this story resonated with you.

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Hey everyone! Today, we are going north, way north, to the last frontier, Anchorage, Alaska, with Author and retired Anchorage Police Officer Doug Fifer. And we are getting kinky. 

Doug Fifer is a retired Alaskan police officer who specialized in crime scene analysis, deviant sexual crimes, hostage negotiations, and various special assignments throughout his twenty-five-year career. As a highly decorated investigator, Doug has negotiated with serial killers, solved homicides, and worked real-life cases that will shock you to the core.

Doug is also the author of the bestselling book, Fifty Shades of True Crime: Sex, Drugs, and Killer Kink. 

I thought I had been there and seen it all after 25 years as a big city cop. After this interview, I realized I haven’t. Please enjoy my conversation with Doug Fifer.

 In today’s episode, we discuss:

·      When and where Doug got interested in law enforcement. 

·      Growing up in the last frontier, Alaska.

·      Alaska has the highest percentage of serial killers per capita of anywhere else? Why?

·      Heroin and crack usage in Alaska.

·      A shocking tattoo on a man who turned tricks for dope in prison.

·      The Serial Killer Joshua Wait investigation. 

·      Hostage negotiations, best practices for a desirable outcome. Not like on TV.

·      The story of high trauma to a penis.

·      Fifty Shades of True Crime: Sex, Drugs, and Killer Kink. Did his mom read this book?

·       David Carradine and Auto Erotic Asphyxiation. How many cases like that did he investigate?

·      Bestiality, necrophilia, and other disturbing behavior. How prevalent was that in Anchorage? The answer will surprise you.

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

Visit Doug'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

Send us Fan Mail

Welcome, everyone, to a special Cops and Writers Podcast. Due to the nature and timing of our topic today, I released this episode early. Back in late October, retired DEA Agents (legends) Steve Murphy, Wes Tabor, and Chris Feistl predicted on the Cops and Writers Podcast episodes 250 and 251, that the U.S. would take the fight to Maduro and attack on land. On January 3, 2026, the U.S. captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, in a military operation in Caracas, Venezuela.

I have heard so many opinions on this from ‘experts’, I'm using air quotes, living in social media-fueled echo chambers, and I wanted to get the true story. So I brought back my experts in narco-terrorism, drug cartels, and international drug smuggling, Steve, Wes, and Chris. 

Here’s an intro to my experts for today’s show.

Retired DEA Special Agent Wes Tabor (episodes 235,236, & 237). Wes was embedded in Venezuela, battling the drug cartel and gangs for three years. He had a front-row seat to the prospering drug trade and threat to the United States and wrote the book, Infiltrate America: Blood Routes and the Rise of Latin American Gangs. So, of course, I asked him to be on the show again, and he graciously agreed.

Of course, I would be remiss if I were going to be talking about drug cartels and smuggling, not to have two experts who took down some of the most notorious drug cartels and their leaders in modern times. Steve Murphy and Chris Feistl. 

Retired DEA Special Agent Steve Murphy and his partner Javier Pena are best known for taking down the Medellin Cartel and its leader, Pablo Escobar. Steve is an expert in drug smuggling and cartels and is considered an expert in the world of narcoterrorism. Steve and Javier’s work was featured in many television documentaries and was featured in the Netflix special, DEA Narcos.

Retired DEA Special Agent Chris Feistl and his partner Dave Mitchell are best known for taking down the Cali Cartel and its leaders Gilberto and Miguel Rodríguez Orejuela. Chris’s work was featured in many television documentaries and was also featured in season three of the Netflix special DEA Narcos.

After listening to these three experts explain recent operations in Venezuela, I have gained valuable insights into why we arrested Maduro and his wife. I hope this clears things up for you as well. Please enjoy my conversation with these DEA legends and experts.

In today’s episode, we discuss:

· &nb

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

Welcome back, everyone, for the conclusion of my interview with Author and retired FBI Special Agent Seamus McElearney.

Séamus McElearney began his distinguished career with the FBI in 1998, joining Squad C-10 of the New York Organized Crime Branch. Tasked with investigating the Bonanno and DeCavalcante crime families—infamously known as “the real Sopranos.”

In December 1999, he was assigned to arrest Anthony Capo, a violent soldier in the DeCavalcante family, as part of a sweeping indictment. Not only did he safely execute the arrest, but he also achieved a historic breakthrough: persuading Capo to become the first made member in the family’s century-long history to cooperate with law enforcement. This unprecedented move triggered a domino effect of cooperation that ultimately led to the dismantling of the DeCavalcante family. In all, 71 defendants were convicted, and 11 murders were solved. 

Following this six-year investigation, Séamus was promoted to lead Squad C-38, overseeing the Colombo crime family. Under his leadership, the squad dismantled the Colombos through a series of operations—including spearheading the largest Mafia takedown in FBI history.

As Supervisor, Séamus oversaw investigations that led to the conviction of more than 200 defendants and the resolution of 20 murders.

Throughout his career as an Agent and Supervisor, Séamus helped convict ten Mafia bosses, recover five bodies, and solve the murder of an NYPD officer. He was part of historic FBI teams that dismantled three organized crime families—an achievement no one else can claim.

Seamus is also the author of the popular book, Flipping Capo: How the FBI Dismantled the Real Sopranos.

I’m a fan of the TV show The Sopranos, so it was amazing listening to Seamus explain how the “Real Sopranos” operated and how they were dismantled and brought to justice by Seamus and his team. Please enjoy my conversation with Seamus!  

In today’s episode, we discuss:

·      How he got Capo to flip.

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

Welcome, everyone, to part one of my interview with Author and retired FBI Special Agent Seamus McElearney. Come back next Sunday for the conclusion of my interview with Seamus.

Séamus McElearney began his distinguished career with the FBI in 1998, joining Squad C-10 of the New York Organized Crime Branch. Tasked with investigating the Bonanno and DeCavalcante crime families—infamously known as “the real Sopranos.”

In December 1999, he was assigned to arrest Anthony Capo, a violent soldier in the DeCavalcante family, as part of a sweeping indictment. Not only did he safely execute the arrest, but he also achieved a historic breakthrough: persuading Capo to become the first made member in the family’s century-long history to cooperate with law enforcement. This unprecedented move triggered a domino effect of cooperation that ultimately led to the dismantling of the DeCavalcante family. In all, 71 defendants were convicted; 11 murders were solved. As a result, Séamus and the team received the U.S. Attorney’s Office Director’s Award.

Following this six-year investigation, Séamus was promoted to lead Squad C-38, overseeing the Colombo crime family. Under his leadership, the squad dismantled the Colombos through a series of operations—including spearheading the largest Mafia takedown in FBI history. The Bonanno squad was later merged into C-38 under his command.

As Supervisor, Séamus oversaw investigations that led to the conviction of more than 200 defendants and the resolution of 20 murders.

Throughout his career as an Agent and Supervisor, Séamus helped convict ten Mafia bosses, recover five bodies, and solve the murder of an NYPD officer. He was part of historic FBI teams that dismantled three organized crime families—an achievement no one else can claim.

Seamus is also the author of the popular book, Flipping Capo: How the FBI Dismantled the Real Sopranos.

I’m a fan of the TV show The Sopranos, so it was amazing listening to Seamus explain how the “Real Sopranos” operated and how they were dismantled and brought to justice by Seamus and his team. Please enjoy my conversation with Seamus!  

In today’s episode we discuss:

·      Growing up in the Bronx as a first-generation Irish-American.

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

Welcome everyone to a very special Cops and Writers with my friend Ian Bick. Back in November, I visited Ian at his studio in Connecticut, where Ian interviewed me (That episode went live on 12-16-25 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/locked-in-with-ian-bick/id1662286355?i=1000741596571,  https://open.spotify.com/episode/7EWrquIqAYL4z0FbW3xDE0?si=39oDYHc3SEGiwBT8udhxhw, https://youtu.be/aU5xLdhR_5s?si=Tdarr4_9xdd3p0mK) and he was gracious enough to let me interview him.

First off, I have to thank the most awesome and legend in the law enforcement community, retired DEA Special Agent, Author, Podcast Host, Public Speaker, and all-around good guy, Steve Murphy, for the introduction. You may know Steve from the Netflix story, DEA Narcos, and his popular Game of Crimes Podcast.

Ian Bick is an entrepreneur, storyteller, and host of the hit podcast Locked In with Ian Bick, where he explores real stories of incarceration, redemption, and the human capacity for change. His content has reached hundreds of millions of viewers across YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and Spotify.

At 18, Ian became one of the youngest nightclub owners in the country. But the rapid success came with high pressure, debt, and a gambling addiction that led him to make destructive choices. At 21, he was convicted of federal wire fraud and served three years in federal prison.

In January 2023, he launched Locked In with Ian Bick, a podcast that gives a platform to former inmates, law enforcement, attorneys, survivors, and others whose lives intersect with the criminal justice system.

Today, the show has become one of the fastest-growing justice-focused podcasts in the country, known for its raw honesty, emotional depth, and willingness to go where most media won’t.

Ian now speaks in prisons, schools, recovery programs, and reentry organizations across the United States, connecting with people who feel stuck or defined by their mistakes. His message is real and rooted in lived experience.

It was such a pleasure getting to know Ian and his producer, Matt (Matty Ice). They rolled out the red carpet for me and made this an incredible experience. As of today’s recording, one of the TikTok reels Ian made from my interview is getting close to half a million views! https://www.tiktok.com/@ianbick/video/7584901104773729566?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7145094841457509930

In today’s episode, we discuss:

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

Hey cops and writers, thanks for being here with us today for another episode of the Cops and Writers podcast! I’m Patrick O’Donnell, and I will be your host for today’s show.

Before I start, can I ask you all a favor? If you are enjoying this podcast, could you please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify? It is so important, thank you.

This show is listener supported, so thanks to all of you who keep this show going!

I would especially like to thank those of you who are patrons of the show. Most notably, Frances Sheldrick, Kathleen Donnelly, Fran Cross, Katherine Kovacic, Richard Towles, Ryan Ta, Carl Vonderau, Melinda Colt, Jodi Burnett, and Richard Rybicki.

Your generosity helps pay for the software, equipment, and my time producing this show. Yes, you too can become a patron for less than a cup of coffee or a pint of Guinness. Just go to patreon.com/copsandwriters.

Welcome everyone, for my interview with my friend, podcaster, author, and retired NYPD Detective, Vic Ferrari.

Vic worked a distinguished twenty-year career with the NYPD as a patrol officer and later moved up to the organized crime unit, working in the auto theft squad as a detective.

Vic is now an author with nine books published, the most recent NYPD: Behind The Blue Wall Of Silence, and host of his very popular podcast, NYPD Through The Looking Glass. 

It’s always fun chatting with Vic and hearing his stories from the NYPD. Please enjoy my conversation with the one and only, Vic Ferrari!

In today’s episode, we discuss:

·      Vic explains the title and intro to his newest book, NYPD: Behind The Blue Wall Of Silence.

·      A nude sunbathing 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

Hey cops and writers, thanks for being here with us today for another episode of the Cops and Writers podcast! I’m Patrick O’Donnell, and I will be your host for today’s show.

Before I start, can I ask you all a favor? If you are enjoying this podcast, could you please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify? It is so important, thank you.

This show is listener-supported, so thanks to all of you who keep this show going!

I would especially like to thank those of you who are patrons of the show. Most notably, Frances Sheldrick, Kathleen Donnelly, Frank Cross, Katherine Kovacic, Richard Towles, Ryan Ta, Carl Vonderau, Melinda Colt, Jodi Burnett, and Richard Rybicki.

Your generosity helps pay for the software, equipment, and my time producing this show. Yes, you too can become a patron for less than a cup of coffee or a pint of Guinness. Just go to patreon.com/copsandwriters.

Welcome everyone, for my interview with attorney, author, former California State Assemblyman, and son of a murdered father, Mike Gatto.

Mike Gatto served four terms in the California Legislature, representing Los Angeles. He chaired the Appropriations Committee, served as Assistant Speaker, and authored several pieces of landmark legislation.

On November 13, 2013, his father, Joseph Gatto, was brutally murdered in a home-invasion robbery, which remains unsolved.

Mike wrote the book, Noir by Necessity: How My Father's Unsolved Murder Took Me to Dark Places, which documents his father’s brutal murder and the investigation that took place. Mike takes the reader along with him, witnessing Mike’s frustration, anger, and grief.

It was indeed an honor to talk with Mike. He was honest and sincere, taking me to places during the interview I didn’t expect. I hope and pray that someday soon the killer in this case is brought to justice and the Gatto family can get some much-deserved answers.

In today’s episode, we discuss:

·      Why Mike went into politics and what his wife thought.

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