Cops and Writers Podcast

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On today’s episode of the Cops and Writers Podcast, I have with me retired Chief of Police and Author Brian Brady.

Brian was born and raised in the San Francisco area and became a police officer in Berkeley, California, in the late sixties. He moved around to four different police departments, eventually attaining the rank of Chief of Police. 

After decades of serving and protecting, he retired from police work and transitioned to becoming a corporate security executive. This path led him to holding executive positions at prestigious organizations such as NBC Universal and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.

Brian has published two crime novels and is working on his third.  

I really enjoyed talking to someone like Brian, who has seen the evolution of police work through the years and worked his way up from police officer to chief. Please enjoy this informative and wide-ranging conversation with Brian Brady.

In today’s episode, we discuss:

·      Growing up in San Francisco.

·      Brain’s law enforcement influences.

·      Brian starting his LE career in Berkeley in the late 60s. Lots going on in the world, and of course, Berkeley was the epicenter of turmoil.

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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Welcome back for the conclusion of my interview with Sgt. Bert “Maverick” Gonzalez.

Sergeant Maverick served the South Florida community for 37 years with the Miami-Dade Police Department, retiring in 2020. His career included assignments in uniform patrol, narcotics, airport and port security, and crime scene investigations. Following 9/11, he became a national leader in port security operations. A highly respected police instructor, Gonzalez has trained over 25,000 officers in areas such as crisis intervention, active shooter response, major scene management, tactical driving, and crowd control. A recipient of the Bronze Medal of Valor and two Life-Saving Awards, he has earned over 60 commendations throughout his career. Gonzalez is the author of The Real Greatest Show on Earth and hosts Sgt. Maverick–The Podcast, where he discusses policing, politics, and life.

It was a pleasure talking to Maverick about being a cop in the Miami area back when it was literally the Wild West due to the surge in population and drug-related crimes to the present. Please enjoy the conclusion of my interview with Sgt. Maverick.

In today’s episode, we discuss:

·      The problems and challenges as a police officer dealing with sovereign citizens.

·      Training 25,000 police officers over 38 years.

·      How vital is training, and why is it the first thing to go when cities cut budgets?  

·'>

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

On today’s episode of the Cops and Writers Podcast, I have with me Bert “Maverick” Gonzalez for this special two-part interview that will conclude next Sunday.

Sergeant Bert “Maverick” Gonzalez served the South Florida community for 37 years with the Miami-Dade Police Department, retiring in 2020. His career included assignments in uniform patrol, narcotics, airport and port security, and crime scene investigations. Following 9/11, he became a national leader in port security operations. A highly respected police instructor, Gonzalez has trained over 25,000 officers in areas such as crisis intervention, active shooter response, major scene management, tactical driving, and crowd control. A recipient of the Bronze Medal of Valor and two Life-Saving Awards, he has earned over 60 commendations throughout his career. Gonzalez is the author of The Real Greatest Show on Earth and hosts Sgt. Maverick–The Podcast, where he discusses policing, politics, and life.

I loved talking to Maverick about being a cop in the Miami area back when it was literally the Wild West due to the surge in population and drug-related crimes to present. He continues to reinvent himself and is a genuinely entertaining guy. Please enjoy part one of my interview with Sgt. Maverick.

In today’s episode, we discuss:

·      How Bert got the nickname Maverick.

·      Working as a cop in the Miami area during a population boom. With that came a boom in crime. Cocaine Cowboys and the Mariel Boatlift (125,00 Cubans in one day). What was going through his mind as a new cop with all of this occurring?

·      His biggest drug bust and money seizure.

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

So, you want to go on a cruise. What could go wrong? After listening or watching today’s episode, you might think twice, for good reasons.

When Jamie Barnett said goodbye to her daughter, Ashley, in 2005, who was going on a three-day cruise with her boyfriend and two other couples to Mexico, she never dreamt that it would be the last time she would see her daughter alive. What was supposed to be a birthday celebration resulted in the death of Ashley due to illegal activities on board the ship, gross negligence from the staff of the ship, and subpar medical attention aboard the cruise ship.

My guest on the show today, Jamie Barnett, has turned grief and frustration from dealing with the cruise industry, government officials, and the FBI, into advocacy and hope.

Jamie Barnett is the president of the International Cruise Victims (ICV) organization and became an advocate for cruise ship safety after her 24-year-old daughter, Ashley Barnett, died on a cruise in 2005 due to gross negligence by the cruise line. Her advocacy work was instrumental in the passage of the Cruise Vessel Safety and Security Act of 2010, and she continues to fight for stricter regulations of cruise vessels to ensure the safety of their passengers.

Jamie appeared in the Netflix docuseries "Amy Bradley is Missing," further highlighting the dangers on cruise ships by drawing parallels between her daughter's death and the disappearance of Amy Bradley in 1998

As a dad and grandpa, this episode hit home. I can’t imagine what Jamie went through and continues to go through! Bravo to Jamie and others who are attempting to keep cruise lines accountable and safer.

In today’s episode, we discuss:

·      Thank you, Vic Ferrari over at the NYPD Through The Looking Glass Podcast, for the intro.

·      The organization, International Cruise Victims, and her role, and how she became involved.  

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 for the conclusion of my interview with Marine, FBI Special Agent, and HRT Operator Rob D’Amico.

Rob D’Amico has over thirty-six years of federal government service—ten years in the United States Marine Corps and nearly twenty-seven with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. He is the founder and principal consultant for Sierra One Consulting. 

Rob began a life of service when he enlisted as a US Marine during college at The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio, and, after obtaining his bachelor's degree, was commissioned as an officer and served his first overseas tour in the first Gulf War. His work on reconnaissance missions with the Marine Corps paved the way for Rob’s long and successful career with the FBI. After four years based out of the Bureau’s Miami, Florida field office, apprehending the most violent felons of South Florida as a member of a multi-agency violent crime fugitive task force, Rob transitioned into deep undercover work against the most notorious U.S. and Italian-based organized crime families.

Rob was among the few selected to the FBI’s elite Hostage Rescue Team, in which he served as a sniper and was first deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan.

Rob’s career with and beyond the HRT team placed him at each pivotal step in the resolution of kidnapping and hostile detention matters. He has worked on every facet of operations—negotiating hostage releases and exchanges, operating under the highest pressure against pirates, negotiators, warlords, leaders of terrorist networks, as well as with ambassadors, generals, foreign ministers, and non-government organizations. 

From being deep undercover, going after the mob, to dealing with Somali pirates, Rob has had a career that movies are literally made of.

Today’s episode, we go deep into a hostage rescue operation on the high seas, dealing with Somali pirates!

In today’s episode, we discuss:

·      The difference between HRT and SWAT in the FBI? 

· &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 to a bonus episode of the Cops and Writers Podcast! This is something I will throw out there to you all once in a while. Today’s bonus episode will be a part of my author spotlight series, where I focus on the author side of the business to see what is working for them and what makes them tick as successful authors. So, as you can guess, today’s episode is for the authors out there who are looking to start, level up, or might need a tad bit of inspiration to keep going. Or, if you aren’t an author, maybe you are just curious to see how all of this book writing stuff actually works. Either way, I think the content is valuable, and we, of course, will have some fun as well.

For today’s show, I have brought on three very successful authors who write crime thrillers with K9s as an integral part of their stories. Let’s meet our authors.

Jodi Burnette is a bestselling self-published author who has published over 23 books. Before she was an author, she was busy raising four kids and pursuing other businesses. After the kids left the nest, she felt a void and began writing. She hit the ground running, pumping out bestselling thrillers, and has a loyal following that most authors would be envious of.

Margaret Mizushima writes the award-winning and internationally published Timber Creek K-9 Mysteries, which feature Deputy Mattie Cobb, her German shepherd partner Robo, and veterinarian Cole Walker. Together they fight crime in the fictional mountain community of Timber Creek, Colorado. There are nine books in Margaret's series, and the tenth, Dying Cry, will be published on October 14th this fall. In real life, Margaret and her veterinarian husband recently moved from a small ranch in Colorado, where they raised two daughters and a multitude of animals, to a home in the Pacific Northwest.

Award-winning author Kathleen Donnelly brings heart-pounding suspense and unforgettable K-9 heroes to life in her National Forest K-9 and Colorado K-9 series. A retired K-9 handler, she draws on her real-life experience and brings to life the powerful bond between humans and working dogs. Her upcoming release, Colorado K-9 Rescue, shines a light on crisis canines and their power to help victims recover.

I had a lot of fun doing this interview, and I believe you will get a lot of useful information out of today’s show, and maybe a couple of chuckles!

In today’s episode, we discuss:

·      Why and how they started writing books.

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

On today’s episode of the Cops and Writers Podcast, I have with me Rob D’Amico for this special two-part interview that will conclude next Sunday.

Rob D’Amico has over thirty-six years of federal government service—ten years in the United States Marine Corps and nearly twenty-seven with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. He is the founder and principal consultant at Sierra One Consulting. 

Rob began a life of service when he enlisted as a US Marine during college at The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio, and, after obtaining his bachelor's degree, was commissioned as an officer and served his first overseas tour in the first Gulf War. His work on reconnaissance missions with the Marine Corps opened the door to Rob’s long and successful career with the FBI. After four years based out of the Bureau’s Miami, Florida field office, apprehending the most violent felons of South Florida as a member of a multi-agency violent crime fugitive task force, Rob transitioned into deep undercover work against the most notorious U.S. and Italian-based organized crime families.

Rob was among the few selected for the FBI’s elite Hostage Rescue Team, in which he served as a sniper and was first deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan.

Rob’s career with and beyond the HRT team placed him at each pivotal step in the resolution of kidnapping and hostile detention matters. He has worked on every facet of operations—negotiating hostage releases and exchanges, operating under the highest pressure against pirates, negotiators, warlords, leaders of terrorist networks, as well as with ambassadors, generals, foreign ministers, and non-government organizations. 

From being deep undercover, going after the mob, to dealing with Somali pirates, Rob has had a career that movies are literally made of. 

Today’s episode, we do a deep dive into his beginnings and Marine career. We also dive into what goes on in the head of an FBI SWAT and HRT team member and brush on his undercover work. Next Sunday, we go deep into a hostage rescue operation on the high seas, dealing with Somali pirates!

In today’s episode, we discuss:

·      Thank you, Jerri Williams, over at the FBI File Review Podcast, for the intro.

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

On today’s episode of the Cops and Writers Podcast, we have something special for you all. I was approached by the Wisconsin Sisters in Crime author group to be the moderator for a group panel of cops and a firefighter. Of course, I jumped at the opportunity because of my experiences with the Sisters in Crime groups all over this country, which have been very positive.

I want to give a special thanks to Denise Jendusa and Nicole Prewitt for making this happen. This is the recorded version of this presentation that about 100 people attended over Zoom.

On the Behind the Badge presentation, I had retired NYPD Detective Marique Bartoldus, retired Chicago PD Detective Lieutenant Richard Rybicki, and retired Milwaukee Fire Department Captain Greg Renz. 

We shared a bunch of war stories I guarantee will make you laugh, and maybe shed a tear or two. We then opened the floor for questions and answers. This was one of my favorite appearances I have done in a long time. Please enjoy this entertaining and educational presentation with the Wisconsin Chapter of the Sisters in Crime.

Check out Marique Bartolus's book, Twenty and Out: A compilation of chaos experienced while serving 20 years in the New York City Police Department

Head on over to Richard Rybicki's website to learn more about him and his books! 

Check out Greg Renz's website to learn more about him and his books.

Check out the new Cops and Writers YouTube channel!

Check out my newest book, The Good Collar (Michael Quinn Vigilante Justice Series Book 1)!!!!!

Enjoy the Cops and Writers book series.

Please visit the Cops and 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

There was so much to unpack with Wes about his incredible career in law enforcement and his accomplishments off duty that this is my first three-part interview. Thanks for sticking around until the end! Honestly, I could have talked to Wes all day. I will definitely have him back on the show in the future.

Here's a quick bio of just some of Wes’s accomplishments. Wes became a Hernando County Sheriff’s Deputy in 1988. As a deputy, Wes served as a S.W.A.T. lead, having completed the FBI S.W.A.T. school in 1995. Wes was a Defensive Tactics Instructor, anti-crime and property Detective, and earned the Florida Medal of Valor in 1996 for his heroism by disregarding his own safety, running into an apartment fire, saving multiple lives, and Mittens the cat. 

In 1998, he was hired by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Wes had a 23-year career with the DEA and has been stationed in Field Divisions such as: St. Louis, Miami, Chicago, D.C., Los Angeles, and internationally in cities such as Guatemala City, Guatemala, Caracas, Venezuela, Cartagena, Colombia, and Bogota, Colombia. During this time, he was representing the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in positions such as: supervisory special agent, country attaché, assistant country attaché, Deputy Section Chief, Assistant to the Global Deputy Chief of Operations, and Assistant Special Agent in Charge.

Wes was paralyzed in an auto accident where a drunk driver and career criminal had been at fault. Fortunately, he recovered from his spinal cord injury (C5/6) fracture and went back to being a DEA agent. The suspect later absconded and was on the run for 23 years only to be captured in 2024.  He was given probation for 6 months by a local judge in Minnesota. 

From 2012 to 2015, Wes was assigned to the Central Intelligence Agency as an Assignee to various locations in the Western Hemisphere, conducting various classified activities on behalf of the DEA while embedded with the CIA.

He has worked with some of the most prestigious law enforcement and military agencies, conducting operations and training modules, with the FBI, Secret Service, Defense Intelligence Service, US Army Special Forces, and Navy Seals.

As a DEA agent, rising through the ranks to Assistant Special Agent in Charge in Los Angeles, he was the division's Strike Force Commander, where he oversaw global money-laundering investigations, High Value Mexican Cartel Investigation, and led his teams in pursuit of some of the largest cases on the globe.

Thanks again for sticking around for the conclusion of this amazing interview. I think we covered a lot of ground and went places that I didn’t foresee. But that’s the fun of running a podcast. Please enjoy the conclusion of my interview with Wes Tabor.

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

On today’s episode of the Cops and Writers Podcast, I have with me Author and Retired DEA Agent Wes Tabor.

There was so much to unpack about his incredible career in law enforcement and his accomplishments off duty that this is my first three-part interview. Part three of the interview will go live tomorrow. Honestly, I could have talked to Wes all day. I will definitely have him back on the show in the future.

Here's a quick bio of just some of Wes’s accomplishments. Wes became a Hernando County Sheriff’s Deputy in 1988. As a deputy, Wes served as a S.W.A.T. lead, having completed the FBI S.W.A.T. school in 1995. Wes was a Defensive Tactics Instructor, anti-crime and property Detective, and earned the Florida Medal of Valor in 1996 for his heroism by disregarding his own safety, running into an apartment fire, saving multiple lives, and Mittens the cat. 

In 1998, he was hired by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Wes had a 23-year career with the DEA and has been stationed in Field Divisions such as: St. Louis, Miami, Chicago, D.C., Los Angeles, and internationally in cities such as Guatemala City, Guatemala, Caracas, Venezuela, Cartagena, Colombia, and Bogota, Colombia. During this time, he was representing the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in positions such as: supervisory special agent, country attaché, assistant country attaché, Deputy Section Chief, Assistant to the Global Deputy Chief of Operations, and Assistant Special Agent in Charge.

Wes was paralyzed in an auto accident where a drunk driver and career criminal had been at fault. Fortunately, he recovered from his spinal cord injury (C5/6) fracture and went back to being a DEA agent. The suspect later absconded and was on the run for 23 years, only to be captured in 2024. He was given probation for 6 months by a local judge in Minnesota. 

From 2012-2015, Wes was assigned to the Central Intelligence Agency as an Assignee to various locations in the Western Hemisphere, conducting various classified activities on behalf of the DEA while embedded with the CIA.

He has worked with some of the most prestigious law enforcement and military agencies, conducting operations and training modules, with the FBI, Secret Service, Defense Intelligence Service, US Army Special Forces, and Navy Seals.

As a DEA agent, rising through the ranks to Assistant Special Agent in Charge in Los Angeles, he was the division's Strike Force Commander, where he oversaw global money-laundering investigations, High Value Mexican Cartel Investigation, and led his teams in pursuit of some of the largest cases on the globe.

I told you there’s a lot to Wes’s story! Today and tomorrow’s episodes will deal with the meat and potatoes of Wes’s incredible story.

&n

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