In this episode we review listener questions, explain the Officer Down Memorial Podcast, how you can get involved, and give you a sneak preview of some great upcoming stories – plus an awesome interview with Sgt. Betsy Brantner Smith (ret.) from the National Police Institute. 

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Friends and family referred to him as a gentle giant.  He loved being an officer and helping people in the community.  He was working part-time and attending college to earn his degree which would allow him to work full-time doing what he was meant to do, when his calling as an officer was cut short one holiday weekend in 1999.  

This episode is sponsored by our friends at Law Enforcement Labor Services, Inc.

Check out our website for family and case photos at www.officerdownmemorialpodcast.com.

If you are interested in supporting our mission and the National COPS organization, click here for more info:  www.glow.fm/officerdownmemorialpodcast.com  

In December of 2011, in this small river town of Lake City Minnesota, Christmas was just a week away when this community was rocked by the loss of one of their own. Officer Shawn Schneider responded to a domestic with a gun. Shawn saved the life of a young lady, and in the process, gave his own. A true hero loved by his community and missed by all. 

This episode is sponsored by our friends at Law Enforcement Labor Services, Inc.

Check out our website for more photos related to this case at www.officerdownmemorialpodcast.com.

If you are interested in supporting our mission and the National COPS organization, click here for more info:  www.glow.fm/officerdownmemorialpodcast  

Thomas Underwood was ordered by the courts to stay away from his estranged wife and young daughter. It was almost Christmas. Armed and angry that afternoon, Thomas stormed into the home where his family was staying.  Marshal Johnson’s response likely saved many lives that day, and cost him his own, leaving behind his wife and two sons. 

This episode is sponsored by our friends at Law Enforcement Labor Services, Inc.

Check out our website for historic photos related to this story www.officerdownmemorialpodcast.com.

If you are interested in supporting our mission and the National COPS organization, click here for more info:  www.glow.fm/officerdownmemorialpodcast  

William (Bill) H. Freytag was a proud father of 5, a full-time engineer at IBM, and an active Reserve Officer for the Rochester Police Department.  He loved his kids dearly and loved serving his community - Service that cost Bill his life in 1961 while working downtown.  He was Rochester PD's first fallen hero, their first recorded Officer Down.

This episode is sponsored by our friends at Law Enforcement Labor Services, Inc.

Check out our website for photos related to this story at www.officerdownmemorialpodcast.com.

If you are interested in supporting our mission and the National COPS organization, click here for more info: www.glow.fm/officerdownmemorialpodcast

Christian Johnson and his wife settled with their family in this quiet community of Lyle Minnesota. He was well liked in this town and beat 2 other candidates for the election of City Marshal. Less than two years later an alcohol fueled night would result in Chris’s murder at the hands of one of those candidates in front of the Commercial Hotel.  

This episode is sponsored by our friends at Law Enforcement Labor Services, Inc.

Also, if you are interested in supporting our mission and the National COPS organization, click here for more info:  www.glow.fm/officerdownmemorialpodcast 

The Hastings Asylum in MN had reported escapes annually for years according to local reports.  One escapee stayed on the run for a year before returning to his hometown of Red Wing.  The Asylum's failure to keep him locked up resulted in the murder of Red Wing's top cop and one of his senior officers, a double murder that rocked this river town.  WARNING: Violent Content   (pictures courtesy of MN Historical Society and MN LEMA)    This episode is sponsored by our friends at Law Enforcement Labor Services, Inc.   Check out our website for photos related to this story at www.officerdownmemorialpodcast.com.

If you are interested in supporting our mission and the National COPS organization, click here for more info: www.glow.fm/officerdownmemorialpodcast

It was a warm Sunday morning in the river town of Winona Minnesota.  John Schneider had been promoted to Investigator and was 22 years into his career with the Sheriff's Office.  He grew up in Winona, was well respected in the community, and just a couple years from retirement when he lost his life helping save the life of a 15-month-old baby.   This episode is sponsored by our friends at Law Enforcement Labor Services, Inc.   Check out our website for photos related to this story at www.officerdownmemorialpodcast.com. If you are interested in supporting our mission and the National COPS organization, click here for more info: www.glow.fm/officerdownmemorialpodcast

In 1866, 35 year old Thomas Welch was one of four men assigned to police beats from 8pm-sunrise in Omaha, Nebraska.  That night Welch would encounter a soldier in a beer garden who had just mustered out of the Nebraska 1st Regiment.  It would be his last encounter – a hero’s story that left many unanswered questions…

Check out our website for photos related to this story at www.officerdownmemorialpodcast.com.

If you are interested in supporting our mission and the National COPS organization, click here for more info: www.glow.fm/officerdownmemorialpodcast

A well respected and well liked Detention Deputy, Thomas Carroll served in the Adult Detention Center for 9 years following his service as a US Navy Veteran.  A former Sheriff and Officer help tell the story of this man, his service to their community, and the sad and ironic circumstances on the day he lost his life. 

This episode is sponsored by our friends at Law Enforcement Labor Services, Inc.

If you are interested in supporting our mission and the National COPS organization, click here for more info:  www.glow.fm/officerdownmemorialpodcast