Trooper Talk

From professional basketball overseas to a career serving with the Illinois State Police, retired Master Sergeant John Paul Merrifield has a story unlike any other.

In this episode of Trooper Talk, retired Illinois State Trooper Flynn Hanners sits down with John Paul to look back on the experiences, people, and opportunities that shaped his life both before and during his career with ISP.

Before putting on the Illinois State Police uniform, John Paul played college basketball at Southeastern Community College and Missouri Southern before taking his game overseas to Portugal and Israel. He later traveled and played exhibition basketball with legendary Harlem Globetrotter Marcus Haynes and the Harlem Magicians, participating in charity events, fundraisers, and USO shows across the country.

But becoming an Illinois State Trooper was always in the back of his mind.

John Paul shares how a multi-year hiring freeze delayed that dream, what it was like finally joining ISP, and how his career eventually took him from patrol to the Illinois State Police Academy, recruiting, Equal Employment Opportunity, and the Honor Guard.

The conversation also explores John Paul’s longtime involvement with the Team Illinois Youth Police Camp, a structured weeklong program for youth ages 13 to 16. He reflects on helping young people experience the values and discipline of law enforcement and seeing former campers eventually pursue careers with the Illinois State Police themselves.

Along the way, Flynn and John Paul share stories about the mentors, instructors, troopers, and friends who made ISP feel like more than a workplace. They discuss the pride of wearing the uniform, the responsibility of helping prepare future troopers, and the bond that continues long after retirement.

John Paul may have retired from the Illinois State Police in 2019, but his commitment to mentorship and service continues today, including as an assistant basketball coach at Greenville University.

Listen to this episode of Trooper Talk for a conversation about basketball, service, mentorship, friendship, and a career John Paul says he would gladly do all over again.

Trooper Talk is the podcast of the Illinois State Police Heritage Foundation, dedicated to documenting and preserving the history of the Illinois State Police.

00:00 – Meet Retired Master Sergeant John Paul Merrifield

03:48 – From Greenville to College Basketball

05:10 – Playing Professional Basketball Overseas

06:47 – Playing With Marcus Haynes and the Harlem Magicians

11:45 – Why John Paul Wanted to Become an Illinois State Trooper

15:43 – Beginning His Illinois State Police Career

16:58 – The Story Behind Team Illinois Youth Police Camp

21:47 – Mentoring Cadets at the Illinois State Police Academy

28:53 – Recruiting the Next Generation of Illinois State Troopers

43:10 – Honor Guard, ISP Family and What the Career Meant to Him

Some of the most influential people in Illinois State Police history never wore the uniform.

In this episode of Trooper Talk, retired Illinois State Trooper Flynn Hanners sits down with Pat Kelly, whose career with the Illinois State Police helped shape generations of troopers through training, curriculum development, mentorship, and employee support.

Pat joined the Illinois State Police in 1978 after earning a master’s degree in counseling psychology. What began as a curriculum position at the Illinois State Police Academy grew into a career that placed her at the center of major changes in how troopers were trained, supported, and prepared for the realities of law enforcement.

Pat shares how she immersed herself in the cadet experience, participating in physical training, firearms training, driving, ride-alongs, classroom instruction, and even the gas house so she could better understand the people and programs she was helping develop.

The conversation also explores an important and often overlooked part of her career. Long before conversations about PTSD and mental health became common in law enforcement, Pat and fellow ISP employee Bob McDonnell became trusted people troopers could turn to when they needed someone to listen.

That work took on new significance following the devastating 1979 American Airlines Flight 191 crash in Chicago. Pat recalls helping debrief first responders who witnessed the aftermath of the disaster and how those experiences helped demonstrate the need for greater emotional and psychological support within law enforcement.

Flynn and Pat also discuss the evolution of Illinois State Police Academy training, instructor development, CALEA accreditation, leadership programs, mentoring, and the many instructors and employees who helped build the culture of ISP.

Through it all, Pat says the best part of her career was the people.

Listen to this episode of Trooper Talk for a look at the people behind the badge, the evolution of Illinois State Police training, and one civilian employee whose work left a lasting impact on the agency.

Trooper Talk is the podcast of the Illinois State Police Heritage Foundation, dedicated to documenting and preserving the history of the Illinois State Police.

00:00 – Meet Pat Kelly

02:00 – How Pat Joined the Illinois State Police in 1978

04:48 – Beginning a Career at the Illinois State Police Academy

05:15 – Developing Better Instructors and Training

10:58 – Experiencing Cadet Training Firsthand

15:34 – “It Started With a Cup of Coffee”

17:09 – Supporting First Responders After the 1979 Chicago Plane Crash

27:07 – Taking ISP Training and Counseling Ideas Across the Country

28:06 – ISP’s Early CALEA Accreditation and Changing Training Standards

38:25 – The People, Leadership and Mentorship That Defined Her Career

In this episode of Trooper Talk, retired Illinois State Trooper Flynn Hanners sits down with Bill O’Sullivan to look back on a remarkable career spanning the Chicago Police Department, military intelligence, the Illinois Bureau of Investigation, and leadership within the Illinois State Police.

O’Sullivan’s law enforcement career began in 1964 when he joined the Chicago Police Department at just 21 years old. Originally planning to attend law school and practice criminal law, he saw police work as an opportunity to understand the justice system firsthand. His career soon took an unexpected turn when he volunteered for military service during the Vietnam War, eventually attending Officer Candidate School, Airborne School, and military intelligence training before serving 14 months in Vietnam with the 173rd Airborne Brigade.

After returning home, O’Sullivan had opportunities with both the FBI and the newly formed Illinois Bureau of Investigation (IBI). He chose the IBI, seeing an opportunity to help build a new organization from the ground up. That decision launched a career that would place him at the center of some fascinating chapters in Illinois law enforcement history.

Bill takes Flynn inside his years investigating organized crime in Chicago, including his work targeting major organized crime figures and a historic Cook County murder prosecution involving an informant who survived to testify. He also recalls investigations involving surveillance, undercover agents, and the multimillion-dollar Purolator heist, giving listeners a firsthand look at the challenges of organized crime investigations during the 1970s.

The conversation also explores O’Sullivan’s rise through the Illinois State Police following the 1977 merger of the IBI and ISP. He discusses serving as Director of the Division of Criminal Investigation, moving into operations, becoming Superintendent, and helping expand the capabilities of Illinois State Troopers.

One of the initiatives O’Sullivan remains especially proud of was the development of more advanced tactical response teams across Illinois. Drawing on his military experience, he pushed for highly trained troopers capable of responding to hostage situations, barricaded subjects, and other incidents that local departments might not have the resources to handle.

Bill and Flynn also discuss leadership, relationships between state and local law enforcement, returning troopers to patrol through a “back to the basics” approach, training at the Illinois State Police Academy, and the importance of integrity in preparing the next generation of police officers.

After retiring from the Illinois State Police, O’Sullivan continued his investigative career by helping establish The Ross Agency, a private investigative agency that grew to perform significant work for federal government agencies, including credential verification supporting healthcare provided to veterans.

From the streets of Chicago and military service in Vietnam to organized crime investigations and the leadership of the Illinois State Police, Bill O’Sullivan shares stories from a career dedicated to public service, innovation, and law enforcement.

00:38 – Bill O’Sullivan’s Start with the Chicago Police Department
02:12 – Volunteering for Military Service and the Road to Vietnam
03:56 – Military Intelligence, Vietnam and Returning Home
06:43 – Choosing the Illinois Bureau of Investigation Over the FBI
08:38 – Taking on Chicago Organized Crime
13:22 – Leading the Northeastern Metropolitan Enforcement Group
18:51 – Building ISP Tactical Response Teams
25:56 – Moving from Investigations into ISP Operations
30:07 – The $4.3 Million Purolator Heist
51:10 – Retirement and Building The Ross Agency

Former Illinois State Police Director Terry Gainer is back for another episode of Trooper Talk, joining retired Illinois State Trooper Flynn Hanners to share more unforgettable stories from a career that took him from Illinois law enforcement to the halls of the U.S. Capitol.

This time, Gainer takes listeners behind the scenes of his years in Washington, D.C., including his service as U.S. Senate Sergeant at Arms and Chief of the United States Capitol Police. He offers a rare look at what happens behind the cameras during presidential inaugurations, high-level government meetings, congressional hearings, and everyday interactions with some of the most powerful people in the country.

One of Gainer’s most memorable stories comes from President Barack Obama’s 2009 inauguration. As Sergeant at Arms, Gainer was responsible for helping coordinate the movement of dignitaries during the ceremony. He recalls telling the newly sworn-in President Obama “no” not once, but twice, when Obama asked to personally escort outgoing President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush to their helicopter. Gainer eventually realized who was making the request and helped adjust a carefully coordinated security plan on the fly.

Flynn and Gainer also discuss the more human side of Washington. Gainer recalls advising senators who were adjusting to life without the security details and special treatment they may have been accustomed to as governors, including some memorable conversations about airport lines and parking tickets.

The stories continue with encounters involving international leaders, congressional testimony, difficult budget hearings, and Gainer’s attempt to establish a mounted unit while serving in Washington. He shares how a request for six horses unexpectedly became the highlight of a Senate budget hearing and the lesson he learned when the program disappeared from the budget the following year.

Throughout the conversation, Gainer reflects on the leadership lessons he carried from the Chicago Police Department and Illinois State Police into his later roles in Washington. For Gainer, some of the most important lessons came from watching leaders interact with everyone around them, regardless of title, position, or rank.

From presidential inaugurations and Capitol security to horses, parking tickets, and telling a president “no,” this return appearance gives Flynn and Terry another opportunity to preserve the personal stories behind an extraordinary career in American law enforcement and public service.

00:35 – Terry Gainer Returns to Trooper Talk

01:04 – Behind the Scenes of President Obama’s Inauguration

03:14 – Telling President Obama “No”

05:11 – A Memorable Obama-Bush Presidential Transition

06:31 – President Bush’s Humorous Reaction to Leaving Office

08:31 – Advising Governors and Senators in Washington

10:16 – Encounters With International Leaders at the Capitol

12:06 – Facing Tough Questions in Congressional Hearings

13:22 – The Battle to Create a Mounted Police Unit

15:29 – The Leadership Lessons Gainer Carried Throughout His Career

In this episode of Trooper Talk, retired Illinois State Trooper Flynn Hanners sits down with former Illinois State Police Director Terry Gainer for a wide-ranging conversation about a lifetime dedicated to law enforcement, military service, leadership, and public service.

Gainer grew up on the South Side of Chicago in a family deeply connected to law enforcement. His grandfather served with the Chicago Police Department, several uncles and brothers became police officers, and that tradition of service would eventually continue into the next generation of his own family. But before his career took him to some of the highest levels of law enforcement in the country, Gainer's path included service in the United States Navy, the Chicago Police Department, and Vietnam.

Gainer recalls graduating from the Chicago Police Academy in 1968 and receiving an unforgettable first assignment: the 1968 Democratic National Convention. He later returned to active duty with the Navy, served in Vietnam, and came back to the Chicago Police Department, where he became a homicide detective, attended law school, and eventually served as chief legal counsel.

The conversation follows Gainer's journey to the Illinois State Police, including how his work with Jeremy Margolis and the Illinois Inspector General's Office introduced him to the agency. In 1991, Governor Jim Edgar selected Gainer to serve as Director of the Illinois State Police, beginning an eight-year tenure in which he focused on training, fair hiring and promotions, leadership development, cooperation between divisions, and strengthening the agency as a whole.

Flynn and Gainer also look back at some of the changes made during his time as director, from uniforms and equipment to motorcycles, training, personnel development, and efforts to give troopers and professional staff the resources they needed. Gainer shares both the successes and the ideas that didn't quite work as planned, including a memorable experiment involving shorts, pith helmets, and rollerblades at the Illinois State Fair.

Gainer's career didn't end with the Illinois State Police. He went on to serve as First Deputy Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, D.C., Chief of the United States Capitol Police, and United States Senate Sergeant at Arms. He also worked with the Department of Defense on efforts involving experienced law enforcement officers embedded with military units in Iraq.

Throughout the episode, Flynn and Gainer reflect on the importance of training, leadership, family, teamwork, civilian and professional staff, learning from mistakes, and breaking down barriers between different areas of law enforcement.

Looking back on more than four decades in policing and the military, Gainer shares why he would choose the same career again and why he believes continued learning remains essential, no matter how much experience you have.

00:00 – Meet Former Illinois State Police Director Terry Gainer

03:24 – A Family Legacy in Law Enforcement

04:52 – Gainer’s First Assignment: The 1968 Democratic Convention

11:49 – Navy Service and Volunteering for Vietnam

23:08 – How Terry Gainer Became Director of the Illinois State Police

32:23 – Gainer’s Vision for Leading the Illinois State Police

35:25 – Improving Uniforms and Equipment for Illinois State Troopers

39:51 – Shorts, Pith Helmets and Rollerblades at the Illinois State Fair

42:27 – Bringing Motorcycles Back to the Illinois State Police

01:00:46 – Would Terry Gainer Choose a Career in Law Enforcement Again?

In this episode of Trooper Talk, retired Illinois State Trooper Flynn Hanners sits down with Doug Brooks, a longtime civilian employee of the Illinois State Police whose career in communications began in 1970. Doug started right out of high school as a telecommunications trainee at District 9 in Springfield, Illinois, eventually building a career with ISP that lasted until his retirement in 2002. He takes listeners inside the radio room to share what it was like supporting troopers across Central Illinois at a time when dispatchers relied on manual typewriters, teletype systems, microfilm, early LEADS technology, and radio equipment that looked very different from what law enforcement uses today. Flynn and Doug discuss the critical role telecommunications personnel played in keeping troopers safe, especially when officers were working alone in rural areas with backup miles away. From tracking traffic stops and running license plates to the five-minute safety timers and unmistakable "hit tone," Doug explains why the people behind the radio were truly a lifeline for officers on the road. The conversation also explores the evolution of Illinois State Police communications, including radio frequencies, early portable radios, LEADS, TIPS, ten codes, and the technological changes Doug witnessed throughout his career. Doug later moved into the Bureau of Communications, where he became a LEADS operator trainer and eventually supervised field advisors throughout Illinois. Along the way, Doug and Flynn share plenty of stories from District 9, including memorable midnight shifts, colorful radio exchanges, the close relationship between telecommunications employees and troopers, and a few moments that could only happen in law enforcement. Doug also reflects on growing up with the Illinois State Police already in his family. His father, Raleigh Brooks, worked in ISP communications, and at one point, father and son even worked together in the District 9 radio room. It’s a look back at more than three decades of Illinois State Police history and a tribute to the telecommunications professionals whose voices over the radio helped generations of troopers do their jobs and return home safely.

00:00:40 – Doug Brooks Joins the Illinois State Police
00:07:25 – Dispatching the Only Trooper Available

00:12:33 – Dispatchers as a Trooper’s Lifeline
00:16:46 – The Five-Minute Traffic Stop Safety Check
00:21:37 – “You’re My Trooper”
00:24:44 – The “Hit Tone” and Officer Safety
00:28:13 – “Call Me a Wrecker”
00:29:32 – Denny King Leaves the Console to Help a Trooper
00:40:53 – Becoming Part of the Midnight Shift Team
00:53:22 – Funny Stories from Rural Illinois

In this episode of Trooper Talk, retired Illinois State Trooper Flynn Hanners sits down with retired Lieutenant Colonel Andre Parker to look back on a remarkable career shaped by military service, law enforcement, leadership, and nearly three decades with the Illinois State Police.

Parker’s path to the Illinois State Police was anything but ordinary. Raised on the South Side of Chicago, he served six years in the United States Marine Corps before joining the ISP in 1978. What started with a chance encounter with an Illinois State Police recruiter ultimately led Parker from the Marine Corps directly to the State Police Academy, beginning a 28-year career with the department.

Parker shares stories from his early days as a trooper in District 10, including the culture shock of going from Chicago to rural Illinois and learning to patrol unfamiliar country roads long before GPS. He and Flynn also discuss how advanced the Illinois State Police became during this era, from communications and technology to training and specialized programs.

Throughout his career, Parker served in a wide range of roles, including assignments at the Illinois State Police Academy, EEO, criminal investigations, intelligence, and field support. His career also placed him in leadership positions connected to programs such as ISP motorcycles and canine operations. He later served as Chief of Police in Richmond, Virginia, before returning to the Illinois State Police as Academy Commander, an assignment he describes as the perfect capstone to his ISP career.

The conversation also explores a deeply personal part of Parker’s ISP story: meeting his future wife at the Academy. She went on to become the first female Illinois State Police officer to attain the rank of lieutenant, while the two navigated careers, marriage, and family during a groundbreaking period for women in the department.

From military service and life on patrol to leadership, innovation, family, and the evolution of the Illinois State Police, Andre Parker’s story offers a unique look at an important era in ISP history.

Trooper Talk is hosted by retired Trooper Flynn Hanners and presented by the Illinois State Police Heritage Foundation, whose mission is to document and preserve the history of the Illinois State Police.

00:00 – Meet Andre Parker

02:18 – Growing Up in Chicago & Choosing the Marine Corps

06:34 – How a Chance Encounter Led Andre to the Illinois State Police

10:12 – From the Marines to the ISP Academy in 1 Weekend

12:58 – A Chicago Trooper Adjusts to Rural Illinois

19:26 – The “Golden Age” of the Illinois State Police

27:07 – Would Andre Choose Law Enforcement Again Today?

30:54 – Training the Next Generation at the ISP Academy

42:43 – Bringing Motorcycles and Canine Programs Back to ISP

44:27 – Returning to the Academy as Commander and Reflecting on His Legacy

In this episode of Trooper Talk, retired Illinois State Trooper Flynn Hanners sits down with retired Trooper Carl “Moon” Mullen for a memorable conversation about a lifetime of service, brotherhood, and the history of the Illinois State Police. Moon joined the Illinois State Police in 1967, beginning his career on the Illinois Tollway before serving in District 7 and eventually becoming a familiar and highly respected figure in District 9. He shares stories about what it was really like to patrol Illinois during an era when troopers often worked long hours, covered large territories with limited backup, and relied heavily on relationships with the communities they served. The conversation follows Moon through some of the defining moments of his career—from working line patrol near the Wisconsin border and policing rural communities along the Mississippi River to becoming a range instructor and helping generations of Illinois State Troopers develop the skills and confidence they needed to succeed. Moon also reflects on helping train some of the first women entering the Illinois State Police, his commitment to mentoring younger troopers, and the pride he took in helping others throughout his career. For Moon, being a trooper was never simply about enforcing the law. It was about helping people, supporting fellow officers, and leaving the department better than he found it. Flynn and Moon also discuss the early efforts that helped establish FOP Lodge 41 as the bargaining unit for Illinois State Troopers, including the work of Moon, Larry Simms, Les Gunning, Bobby Blair, and others. Moon shares the story behind securing the 3% compounded increase for retirees, an achievement that continues to have a lasting impact on retired troopers today. Along the way, the two longtime troopers trade stories about the Illinois State Police Academy, firearms training, life on patrol, changes within the department, and the friendships that made the Illinois State Police feel like a family. At 83 years old, Moon looks back on his career with gratitude and says he would choose the job again in a heartbeat.00:00 — Flynn Hanners welcomes Carl “Moon” Mullen

01:54 — Moon joins the Illinois State Police in 1967

07:44 — Working line patrol on the Illinois Tollway

12:20 — Moving to District 7 and policing Rock Island

14:22 — Serving Mercer County and the Keithsburg area

24:28 — How the job & ISP changed over the years

34:20 — Moon reflects on the best parts of being a state trooper

35:11 — Training women at the ISP firearms range

49:38 — Moon’s advice for anyone considering joining the ISP

53:38 — FOP Lodge 41, retiree benefits & Moon’s lasting legacy

In this episode of Trooper Talk, retired Illinois State Trooper Flynn Hanners sits down with retired Captain Dennis Sloman to look back on a remarkable career with the Illinois State Police and the experiences that helped shape a lifetime in law enforcement. Dennis Sloman joined the Illinois State Police in March 1979 after growing up on a farm south of Pawnee, Illinois. As a child, trips to Springfield took him past ISP headquarters, where the troopers, uniforms, and patrol cars left a lasting impression. Years later, that childhood interest became a career that would take him from patrol in District 14 to District 9, investigations, strategic planning, command positions, and ultimately the rank of Captain. Flynn Hanners and Dennis Sloman discuss what it was like working the road in rural Illinois, the opportunities that came with serving in the Springfield area, and the unique responsibilities of District 9. Dennis shares memories from his time as a sergeant, investigations commander, and district commander, along with stories about working alongside local police departments, sheriff’s offices, and fellow Illinois State Troopers. A major part of the conversation focuses on the Illinois State Fair, one of the largest annual details for the Illinois State Police. Dennis recalls the months of planning required, coordinating nearly 200 personnel across multiple shifts, working with State Fair leadership, handling dignitary visits, responding to emergencies, and managing the unpredictable situations that can arise when thousands of people gather on the fairgrounds. The conversation also explores something that defined Dennis’s career: the camaraderie of the Illinois State Police. From troopers supporting one another during difficult times to reconnecting with officers from across the state at special details, Dennis and Flynn reflect on the strong sense of family that existed within the department. Dennis also shares why he loved the job so much, why he rarely wanted to miss a shift or special assignment, and why serving as an Illinois State Trooper gave him the opportunity to experience events that most people would only read about or see on television. For anyone interested in Illinois State Police history, law enforcement careers, police leadership, the Illinois State Fair, or firsthand stories from retired state troopers, this episode offers an inside look at decades of service from someone who experienced the job at nearly every level. Trooper Talk is the podcast of the Illinois State Police Heritage Foundation, dedicated to documenting and preserving the history, stories, people, and traditions of the Illinois State Police. Listen as Flynn Hanners and Dennis Sloman remember the people, places, challenges, friendships, and unforgettable moments that made a career with the Illinois State Police “the greatest show on Earth.”

00:00 — Meet retired Captain Dennis Sloman

02:15 — Why Dennis wanted to become a Trooper

05:30 — From the FBI to the Illinois State Trooper

11:20 — Moving through leadership roles in District 9

18:10 — Inside the Illinois State Fair police detail

23:40 — What it was really like working the State Fair

31:00 — Troopers as part of the State Fair experience

38:30 — Why helping people mattered most

46:00 — The camaraderie & brotherhood of the ISP

53:00 — Would Dennis choose the career again?

In this episode of Trooper Talk, retired Illinois State Police Trooper Flynn Hanners sits down with retired Sergeant Hank Endzelis to reflect on a remarkable life of service, perseverance, and dedication to country. Born in Germany to Lithuanian parents who fled their homeland during World War II, Endzelis immigrated to the United States through Ellis Island as a young child. After growing up in the Chicago area, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served in Vietnam before pursuing a career in law enforcement. Endzelis shares how his experiences with military avionics, competitive shooting, and the law enforcement officers he met while working at the Oak Lawn Gun Shop eventually led him to join the Illinois State Police. He discusses entering the ISP Academy in 1975, serving in District 15, becoming a firearms instructor at the Academy, and later working as a sergeant and equipment officer in District 9. The conversation also explores Endzelis's decorated competitive shooting career, including state championships in Illinois, Wisconsin, and Missouri, as well as recognition at the National Police Revolver Championships. He offers insight into firearms training, the importance of mastering proper shooting fundamentals, and the Illinois State Police’s transition through several generations of duty weapons. Beyond his ISP career, Endzelis continued serving through the Illinois National Guard and Air National Guard. He recounts participating in Operation Southern Watch, responding immediately after the September 11 attacks, coordinating the secure transport of live munitions, and later deploying to Afghanistan. Throughout the episode, Endzelis reflects on the opportunities his family found in America and the responsibility he felt to give back through military and public service. His story is a powerful account of immigration, sacrifice, law enforcement history, military service, and the enduring value of serving others. Trooper Talk is the official podcast of the Illinois State Police Heritage Foundation, an organization dedicated to documenting and preserving the history of the Illinois State Police. Topics include: Illinois State Police history, law enforcement careers, police firearms training, competitive shooting, military service, Vietnam veterans, Ellis Island immigration, Operation Southern Watch, September 11, Afghanistan deployment, and public service.

00:00 — Introduction to retired Sergeant Hank Endzelis

00:43 — Born in Germany & immigrating through Ellis Island

04:44 — A childhood fascination with aviation

05:31 — Enlisting in the Air Force and serving in Vietnam

09:56 — The path from college to the Illinois State Police

14:29 — Entering the ISP Academy and choosing District 15

27:31 — The evolution of Illinois State Police duty weapons

34:33 — Teaching firearms fundamentals at the ISP Academy

42:57 — State & national competitive shooting

54:59 — Responding to 9/11 and deploying to Afghanistan