Send a text

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