Quad City Blue Flight is a local 501(c)(3) nonprofit with a mission to honor those who have served while inspiring the current generation of law enforcement officers. On September 9th 2026, we will take the nation's first Blue Flight, which will bring active law enforcement officers, retired officers, and the families of officers killed in the line of duty from Scott and Rock Island counties together on a chartered flight to Washington, D.C. During the trip, participants will visit the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, the National Law Enforcement Museum, the Police Memorial Wall, the US Capitol, and other historic and law enforcement-related sites. It's an opportunity to reflect on the profession, build relationships, and recognize the incredible service of the men and women who have dedicated their lives to protecting our communities. But this organization is about much more than one trip. We want to elevate positive stories of law enforcement, strengthen connections between officers and the communities they serve, and inspire future generations to consider a career in public safety. Right now, any active or retired law enforcement officer from Scott or Rock Island County are eligible to participate. We believe that when we recognize service, we strengthen our communities and help protect the future of our profession, which is vital to public safety.

Joe Leonas is the Chief of Police for Lincolnshire, Illinois. Chief Leonas has been the Lincolnshire Police Chief for 10 years, but began his law enforcement career in 1990 with the Village of Bartlett, Illinois. Over the course of his 26-year career, he held various positions including: Detective, Crime Prevention Officer, School Resource Officer, Sergeant, Investigations Commander, and Deputy Chief. Leonas also served as the Case Management Commander on the Major Case Assistance Team (MCAT) – a homicide task force comprised of over 22 police agencies in Cook County – and was responsible for the development of MCAT’s Serious Traffic Accident Reconstruction (STAR) Team. Leonas graduated from DePaul University with a bachelor’s degree in English and received his master's degree from Western Illinois University in Law Enforcement and Justice Administration. Leonas also graduated from Northwestern University's Center for Public Safety School of Police Staff & Command, as well as the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia. Leonas has instructed police officers since 1998 in many areas, including: homicide investigations, juvenile justice, police applicant backgrounds, leadership & management, and internal affairs. In addition to teaching for the Northwestern University Center for Public Safety, Leonas is an adjunct professor at DePaul University in Chicago. Leonas also taught at the Suburban Law Enforcement Academy (SLEA), Northeast Multi-Regional Training (NEMRT), Aurora University, and the College of DuPage. Leonas currently serves as the President on the Executive Board of the Lake County Chiefs of Police Association, Secretary on the Advisory Board of Directors for North East Multi-Regional Training (NEMRT), and Vice President on the Board of Directors for the Lake County Major Crash Assistance Team (MCAT).  Chief Leonas was the President of the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police from April 2025 – May 2026. 

The often unseen side of Quad City law enforcement, the Quad City International Airport Public Safety Director Jeff Swan and Public Information Officer Ashleigh Johnston join us to talk about all things airport and how important it is to have an airport in our metro area. 

Over the past 50 years, Steve Casstevens has served his country, has served small-town and suburban Illinois policing, and held statewide executive leadership positions as the past President of the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police, and past President of the International International Association of Chiefs of Police. Steve began in military police with the U.S. Army’s 101st Airborne Division in 1976, worked for the Mendota and Peru police departments after leaving the Army in 1979, joined Hoffman Estates in 1981 and retired there in 2011 as assistant chief, then served about two and a half years as chief in Cary before becoming chief in Buffalo Grove where he served until 2022. He served as ILACP president in 2016-2017 and IACP president in 2019-2020. Steve holds a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice Management from Judson University, served as an adjunct instructor for Northwestern University Center for Public Safety, and authored articles for Police Chief Magazine, Command Magazine, and Law and Order. Throughout his career he has been focused on global roadway safety, police response to active threats, and officer suicide prevention.

Chronic stress, poor sleep, hypertension, obesity and elevated cardiovascular risk all lead to the #1 health epidemic facing law enforcement officers in America today, cardiovascular death. 

On this podcast we are joined by Chief Patrick Flannelly from the Coptimizer Podcast and Sagahealth talking about unique testing they are doing to help early detection of cardiovascular risks and to help eliminate those risks. 

Chief Gault takes the blood tests and reveals his results on air. 

Dougal Nelson, is a community pioneer that has changed the lives of thousands of Quad Cities area students through his time at Junior Achievement of the Heartland. Dougal began his career with what he calls “being a non traditional” student at Black Hawk College and then Western Illinois before finding his niche as a Community Advocate due to some amazing mentors. Dougal has worked at Isabelle Bloom, the American Red Cross and Habitat for Humanity but he made his lasting mark on the Quad Cities by his time at Junior Achievement.  Dougal was the driving force behind the creation of BizTown and the Inspiration Center which included raising over $3million to finish the projects. 

Thomas A. (Tad) DiBiase received a B.A. in politics from Wake Forest University in 1987 and a J.D. from Brooklyn Law School in 1991. From 1995 to 2007, he was an Assistant United States Attorney with the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and spent most of his career trying homicide cases. In 2006, he tried United States vs. Harold Austin, only D.C.’s second no-body trial ever. He is the nation’s leading expert on no-body homicide cases and has a website that tracks and discusses these cases at www.nobodymurdercases.com and he Blueskys at @thenobodyguy. He consults with police and prosecutors throughout the country on no-body murder cases and has formally consulted on more than forty no-body murder cases. He has appeared on television numerous times and has been quoted widely in newspapers throughout the country. His book, No-Body Homicide Cases: A Practical Guide to Investigating, Prosecuting, and Winning Cases When the Victim is Missing, remains the only how-to book on the topic and the second edition come out in November 2023 

Chief Paul Sikorski is a retired 34-year veteran of the Davenport Police Department. Chief Sikorski was hired in 1988 and served in every division of the police department, including 24 years on the Emergency Services Team. Chief Sikorski spent 14 years in special operations and investigations including Gang Unit, Vice and as Supervisor of the Tactical Operations Bureau Covert Unit. Chief Sikorski was sworn in as the Chief of Police in January 2016 and remained in that position until his retirement in August 2022. 

Chief Sikorski is a graduate of the University of Northern Iowa, a Master’s Degree from Western Illinois University and a graduate of the 274th class of the prestigious FBI National Academy. 

Joe Moreno is a life long public servant to the Quad Cities. Growing up in East Moline and attending United Township High School, Joe has served as an East Moline Alderman for 12 years then as East Moline Mayor. Joe spent his career working at 3M but his life’s passion has been on the roads of the Quad Cities, where he has led the Quad Cities race circuit for dozens of years. Joe credits an intervention by volunteers with the Youth Services Bureau as an impetus of change which led to his life of service. 

Marcy O’Brien has long been heralded as a voice for children in Rock Island County. March spent 29 years as a police officer, beginning her career with the East Moline Police Department in 1988 before transferring to the Moline Police in 1993 where for the next 24 years, most of which spent spent in community policing or juvenile investigations advocating, protecting and fighting for children. Upon retiring in 2017, Marcy was selected as the Director of the Children’s Advocacy Center where she continues to fight for our children, gives them a safe space and a voice.