Zone 7 Legends: Guns, Grit, and Generations with John B. Edwards

In this episode of Zone 7, Crime Scene Investigator, Sheryl McCollum, talks with guest, John B. Edwards.

Together, they dive deep into a career spanning over four decades in law enforcement. John's journey began at a humble sheriff's office, evolving into extensive work in undercover narcotics, crisis management, and homicide investigations. John also shares insights from his post-retirement endeavors as an author, with novels like 'Burden of Command' and 'Darkness Under the Oaks.'

Show Notes:

[0:00] Welcome back to Zone 7 with Crime Scene Investigator, Sheryl McCollum.  Sheryl kicks by recounting a personal tragedy that led her into the world of law enforcement

[1:37] Sheryl introduces guest, John B. Edwards to the listeners 

[3:30] John describes becoming an undercover narcotics officer at just 18

[4:49] “There should be no ego in investigations”

[6:30] John recalls the loss of his partner in the line of duty

[8:16] Distinguishes between the complexities of drug enforcement and homicide investigations

[10:12] Question: Do you have any notable cases that you want to mention, like things you worked on in Georgia?

[13:00] Advice from J.B: “Write down everything you love right now. The minute you start to see that changing, do something about it.”

[16:12] Sheryl and John uncover the unseen emotional toll and camaraderie of working in law enforcement

[18:04] Daily challenges faced by cops. Officers often encounter individuals at their worst

[23:39] Generational differences spotlighted. John discusses the impact of the internet on social behavior.

[25:28] Question: Can you describe your books to the listeners? 

[27:23] Burden of Command 

[30:40] Sunlight over the Marshes 

[31:28] Homicide Investigative Praxis  

[31:53] Darkness Under the Oaks

[33:18] Question: Can we talk a bit about your grandmother, Josie Mae? 

[37:57] Question: Can we talk about your bloodline in law enforcement?  

[42:09] I had gone through a near-death experience and that gives you insight into how fleeting life is and to what's important. -F.S

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Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an Emmy Award winning CSI, a writer for CrimeOnLine, Forensic and Crime Scene Expert for Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, and a CSI for a metro Atlanta Police Department. She is the co-author of the textbook., Cold Case: Pathways to Justice. Sheryl is also the founder and director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, a collaboration between universities and colleges that brings researchers, practitioners, students and the criminal justice community together to advance techniques in solving cold cases and assist families and law enforcement with solvability factors for unsolved homicides, missing persons, and kidnapping cases.  

You can connect and learn more about Sheryl’s work by visiting the CCIRI website https://coldcasecrimes.org

Social Links:

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @ColdCaseTips

Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum

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