In the early 1990s, gang warfare and the crack cocaine epidemic took hold of South Los Angeles. The violence spiraled out of control, to a scale which grabbed national attention. During this, the most dangerous period in LA’s history, a criminal with an automatic weapon tried to kill an officer at close range. Fortunately for that officer, the weapon malfunctioned, and a chase began. HBH is honored to welcome retired LA Country Sheriff’s Department Homicide Detective and author: Danny R Smith.

The current crime wave in Los Angeles gets a lot of attention both locally and nationally, as 2021 saw a homicide rate of over 300. However, in 1991 that rate was more than triple with over 1,000 homicides reported.

For Danny, decades surrounded by unspeakable violence affecting colleagues, children, and other innocents took a toll. Long after retiring, the effects remain and like too many others who have put their life on the line, the battle with PTSD continues. 

We highly recommend Danny’s book ‘Nothing Left To Prove: A Law Enforcement Memoir'. As always, thanks for downloading and listening to Heroes Behind Headlines.