Ep. 85 - For this special episode marking the 25th anniversary of 9/11, you will hear excerpts from four prior episodes of On Being a Police Officer in which I interviewed NYPD officers who responded to Ground Zero on 9/11. We talk about that tragic day, how it unfolded for them. That creeping realization we all had that this was terrorism. And then how each of them, without hesitation, like all first responders, went directly there facing the terror and the chaos everyone else was so desperately trying to escape.

As you will hear, the memories, the emotions, the despair at finding no survivors and losing fellow first responders remain fresh in their hearts and minds. We also talk about the hospitals at the ready for victims – victims who never came; the signs of the missing posted throughout the city; police and fire from around the country coming to help; citizens holding signs of thanks as our first responders drove down the West Side Highway; and stories of people – including criminals – bringing flowers and cards to the precincts.

These excerpts are from interviews I did over the years with:

LAPD/NYPD Officer Knocko Nolan (Ret.)

NYPD Cold Case Detective Jason Palamara (Ret.)

NYPD Homicide Detective /ATF Special Agent Pete Forcelli (Ret.)

NYPD Homicide Detective Tom Smith (Ret.)

I know we are all feeling the pain that anniversaries bring. 9/11 happened to all of us. So many lives were lost. So many families and loved ones left broken and grieving—not just in New York City, but everywhere.

For me, however, my experience was in New York City where I was living at the time. The bravery of our first responders was beyond measure. The gratitude we felt was overwhelming. And yet most of us never got to thank any of them. It was a helpless feeling.

One of the unexpected gifts of doing this podcast has been the opportunity to do just that, to thank these NYPD officers for their bravery, commitment and sacrifice on that day and in the weeks and months that followed. And to share their stories for all to hear.

Thank you Knocko, Jason, Pete and Tom. Thank you, NYPD and FDNY.

Original full interviews:

Ep. 45 Meet NYPD’s and LAPD’s Knocko Nolan

Ep. 50 - NYPD Cold Case Det. Jason Palamara (Ret.) - responding to 9/11, solving cold cases, supporting LEOs and Veterans as a crisis counselor.

Ep. 59 ATF Agent Pete Forcelli (ret) and NYPD Homicide Detective (ret) on turning whistleblower on the Operation Fast and Furious scandal and his book The Deadly Path.

Ep. 67 – NYPD Det. Tom Smith on 9/11, Joint Terrorism Task Force, Rescuing an American Hostage in Afghanistan, Stopping a School Shooter – Part Two

Thank you for listening to On Being a Police Officer. YOU are what keeps me going.

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©Abby Ellsworth. All booking, interviews, editing, and production by Abby Ellsworth. Music courtesy of freesound.org

Ep. 84 - Former LAPD Officer Kristina Ripatti joined LAPD in 1996 and later served on LAPD’s CRASH Gang Unit assigned to the Rollin’ 30s Harlem Crips. Her patrol partner and gang unit partner was LAPD Det. Tim Pearce who later became her life partner when they got married.

Their lives would change forever on June 3, 2006, when an Officer Down call came out. That officer was Kristina. While in a foot pursuit with a subject, that subject shot Kristina in her armpit severing her spine and instantly paralyzing her. The subject continued shooting Kristina once she was down until her partner Officer Joe Meyer could neutralize him. Tim responded to the Officer Down call initially not knowing it was Kristina. He arrived on scene to find her near death. In fact, she lost so much blood, she was later diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury after years of not having a medical explanation for what she was experiencing mentally and emotionally.

As I say in the episode, I know Kristina’s story through my interview with Tim in Episode 78 during which he lovingly tells the story of their life together, the impact of this tragedy and Kristina’s courage and grit in getting through all of it.

Hearing Tim tell their story inspired me to want to hear Kristina’s story from Kristina. Tim connected us and the result is this episode.

We do go through the life-altering events of June 3rd, what she remembers, what she experienced. It is a raw and painful account, and I thank Kristina for sharing it.

But as I say to her, it’s not her whole story. Those who know Kristina – likely some of you listening to this episode – know her to have been a hard-charging officer both fearless and tenacious. Or to use Tim’s words, “She’s like a pit bull. She just won’t let go.” Her skill was obvious to all starting as far back as the Academy. Kristina shares some funny stories from those early days as well as some hair-raising accounts from patrol and the gang unit including the near-fatal shooting she and Tim were in and the devastating line of duty death of Gang Officer Phil Cuesta.

Kristina has earned her Master’s in social work and is a therapist specializing in trauma. She and Tim are no longer married but remain friends and are working together as part of a documentary project called “Nothing to See Here: Watts.” It’s a unique documentary made by rival gang members, police, victims of violence all from Watts in LA.

Thank you, Kristina, for your service as a police officer and for allowing me to tell your story.

Officer Filberto Cuesta

E.O.W. Sunday, August 9, 1998

You are not forgotten. Thank you for your service.

https://www.odmp.org/officer/15131-police-officer-ii-filberto-henry-cuesta-jr

“Nothing to See Here: Watts”

https://nothingtoseeheremovie.com/

My interview with Tim:

Ep. 78 - LAPD Gang Det. Tim Pearce on his 18-year LE Career and the “Officer Needs Help” Call That Changed Everything.

Thanks for listening to On Being a Police Officer. YOU are what keeps me going.

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Abby@Ellsworthproductions.com

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©Abby Ellsworth. All booking, interviews, editing, and production by Abby Ellsworth. Music courtesy of freesound.org

Ep. 83 - Chief Daniel Comeaux, the 31st Chief of Police of the Dallas Police Department joins me to look back at his first year in the role – his initiatives, his accomplishments as well as his goals for the future. Chief came to the job with 35 years in law enforcement, six with Houston PD starting in 1991 where he spent much of his time in narcotics; and 28 with the DEA which he joined in 1997.

As I say in the episode, I think Chief of Police is a tough job, no matter what department, no matter what city. And the first year in that position has to be the most demanding – fraught with scrutiny, challenges and potential pitfalls – especially when you come in as an outsider to the department and to the city and on top of that, when you’re coming to it after 28 years on the Federal side.

In this interview, you will hear just how well Chief Comeaux has navigated these waters. He has drawn on all of his experience to define his role, strengthen the department, reduce crime and successfully recruit. He has done it judiciously with keen insight, thoughtful decisions, and I would add, humor.

We talk about what shaped him and his leadership style over the years. We discuss what drew him to law enforcement, and some memorable stories from patrol in Houston including the people he remembers and all those fights and foot chases. We cover his time with DEA and talk about the case he is most proud of; the challenges of working hundreds of miles of the Mexican border while in both Tucson and Houston; and his work navigating every drug epidemic over those 28 years, from crack to ecstasy, meth, opioids and now fentanyl.

Thank you, Chief for a great interview and for taking the time. And thanks DPD Officer Joe King head of DPD’s wellness unit and host of the podcast ATO Bridging the Divide for connecting me with Chief and allowing me to share Chief’s story with my audience.

Dallas PD is hiring! Check out all the info here:

https://www.dallaspolice.net/joindpd

Check out ATO: Bridging the Divide. Chief’s Episodes are called “Geaux Time.”

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ato-bridging-the-divide/id1582921763

You can hear my interview with DPD Officer Joe King Ep. 77

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/on-being-a-police-officer/id1532102404?i=1000730846623

Dallas PD Child Abuse Detective Kristin King Ep. 79

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/on-being-a-police-officer/id1532102404?i=1000743979081

Thanks for listening to On Being a Police Officer. YOU are what keeps me going.

Find me on my social or email me your thoughts:

Instagram: on_being_a_police_officer

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Abby@Ellsworthproductions.com

www.onbeingapoliceofficer.com

©Abby Ellsworth. All booking, interviews, editing, and production by Abby Ellsworth. Music courtesy of freesound.org

Ep. 82 – Sgt. Jim Vaglica (ret.) of the Waltham, MA police department shares an eye-opening account of little-known aspects of the Boston Marathon bombing case. If you think you know what happened leading up to and in the aftermath of this terrorist attack, I think you’ll be surprised.

Jim recounts dramatic stories from his 32-year career including 16 years on the regional SWAT team known as NEMLEC, the role that drew him into the intense manhunt of the Boston Marathon bombers.

Jim takes us through the complex series of events that started on that Monday, April 15, 2013, that cast a net of terror over the city for several agonizing days and nights. He talks about NEMLEC’s mutual aid response to Boston, the citywide search for the suspects, the ambush murder of MIT Officer Sean Collier at their hands. Jim details the brothers’ dramatic shootout with police and the capture and death of the older brother.

With the wounded younger brother on the run in Watertown, the city was put under a tense shelter in place. Jim and the NEMLEC team along with neighboring agencies conducted door-to-door searches to find him. Jim describes the chaos that ensued following the discovery of the suspect including a massive multi-agency response, chaotic sympathetic gunfire, and an hours-long standoff before he is finally taken into custody.

But there is more here than meets the eye. Jim takes us through the mysterious backstory of the older brother. His potential ties to a triple homicide committed prior to the bombing. His FBI connections. And other unsettling details that raise more questions than they answer.

I start the episode by getting to know a little about Jim – what drew him to LE in 1985. His time on patrol and his stint on a street level drug unit. His promotion to sergeant in 1995 and his decision to test for and be selected to join the prestigious NEMLEC team in 1998. Though retired, Jim remains a Sworn Special Officer. We close with a chat about our shared passion for the role of School Resource Officer and hope for the future of law enforcement.

I am choosing to air this episode on April 15th, the anniversary of that horrible day for Boston in honor of all the city endured and in honor of the civilians who were murdered and maimed, the officers who lost or nearly lost their lives. And for Jim, his fellow officers and all the first responders for all they did to protect Boston.

Thanks, Jim!

Jim’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jimvaglica/

Jim’s website: https://jimvaglica.com/

Check out the book Jim mentions: "Mayhem" by Michele McPhee

In remembrance of your service and sacrifice:

Officer Sean Collier

MIT Police Department

E.O.W. Thursday, April 18, 2013

Sgt. Dennis Simmonds

Boston Police Department

E.O.W. Thursday, April 10, 2014

Thanks for listening to On Being a Police Officer. YOU are what keeps me going.

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Abby@Ellsworthproductions.com

www.onbeingapoliceofficer.com

©Abby Ellsworth. All booking, interviews, editing, and production by Abby Ellsworth. Music courtesy of freesound.org

Ep. 81 - This is a gripping look at the high-stakes world of the U.S. Marshals Service with retired Supervisory Deputy U.S. Marshal Bobby “LED” Ledogar who committed 25 years to the agency handling high-profile extraditions, hunting fugitives and nearly losing his life serving high-risk warrants.

It is also a deeply personal account of what it was like to lose everything at the hands of the very institution he served because he chose to be a whistleblower in a discrimination case against one of his own deputy marshals. What you’ll also find in this episode is Bobby’s indomitable spirit and the strength he drew on to not only fight for what’s right, but also to fight back.

Bobby joined the U.S. Marshals Service in 1995 as a Deputy U.S. Marshal for the Eastern District of New York/Brooklyn. In 2010, he promoted to Supervisor of the Warrants Squad assigned to the New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force where he led a team of twelve marshals. Prior to joining the Marshals, Bobby served seven years in the U.S. Navy as a Master-at-Arms deployed to combat zones during Operation Desert Storm.

Bobby shares behind-the-scenes accounts of some of the most dramatic operations of his career including apprehending a violent MS-13 gang member; his involvement in the extradition of El Chapo; as well as tracking down a double-murder suspect who had evaded capture for more than 16 years – Andre Neverson – a U.S. Marshals “15 Most Wanted” fugitive featured on America’s Most Wanted TV show.

In 2015, Bobby supported Deputy U.S. Marshal Dawn Mahoney after she reported harassment and discrimination within the task force. As her supervisor and mentor, Bobby stood by her and testified on her behalf. What followed was swift and severe retaliation by the task force members identified in this whistleblower case involving a smear campaign that not only ended Bobby’s career but also threatened his and his wife’s safety ultimately forcing them to relocate from New York to Florida.

In April 2020, just two months shy of his scheduled retirement, Bobby was terminated. The firing immediately stripped him of his pay, medical coverage, and pension—leaving him and his family financially and emotionally devastated. We talk about what has kept him going these past few years, the mission to get back what was taken from him, and where things stand now.

Two organizations that supported Bobby from day one:

The National Police Defense Foundation (NPDF), which put a legal defense fund in place for the legal expenses Bobby has incurred with his case that is now before the Merit System Protection Board (MSPB). The NPDF is a nationally renowned and congressionally recognized non-profit that provides free medical and legal support services to the law enforcement community. https://npdf.org/

The other non-profit of which Bobby is a board member is the Federal Enforcement of Homeland Security Foundation (FEHSF), a non-profit whose mission is to provide emergency funding to the Federal Law Enforcement Community. https://www.fehsf.org/

You can connect with Bobby on LinkedIn under Robert Ledogar: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-ledogar-276277146/

Thanks for listening to On Being a Police Officer. YOU are what keeps me going.

Find me on my social or email me your thoughts:

Instagram: on_being_a_police_officer

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Abby@Ellsworthproductions.com

www.onbeingapoliceofficer.com

©Abby Ellsworth. All booking, interviews, editing, and production by Abby Ellsworth. Music courtesy of freesound.org

Ep. 80 - Joining me is Jim Dudley, host of Police1’s acclaimed podcast Policing Matters. Jim was with the San Francisco Police Department for 32 years, rising to the rank of Deputy Chief. He takes us back to policing in San Francisco in the 1980s and walks through how the profession — and crime itself — evolved over the decades, from the crack epidemic to today’s open drug use and reforms impacting law enforcement like reducing felony charges to misdemeanors. He reflects on his time as an Investigator in the Bureau of Inspectors, working cases ranging from burglary and property crimes to domestic violence, assaults, and serious violent offenses.

Jim also speaks candidly about the critical incident in which he used deadly force to save his own life and his partner’s during a struggle with an armed suspect. We discuss the reality of being investigated after a fatal use-of-force incident, the emotional toll that follows, and how that experience shaped his leadership style when supporting officers navigating their own critical incidents.

Since retiring in 2013, Jim has continued serving the profession as the host of Policing Matters and as a criminal justice instructor at San Francisco State University, where he has taught for 14 years. We touch on a topic of particular interest to me and that is the impact criminal justice professors can have on framing the national narrative on policing.

Thank you, Jim.

I also want to thank the listeners who I mention in the episode: @Luv fitness pal and @Emandagat01left very kind words in their five-star reviews on Apple podcasts. It means a lot to me.

Here’s where you can find Jim and Policing Matters:

Policing Matters podcast

Policing Matters YouTube

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/policing_matterspodcast/

LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimdudley1946/

My interview with Jim Dudley on “Policing Matters”

Thanks for listening to On Being a Police Officer. YOU are what keeps me going.

Find me on my social or email me your thoughts:

Instagram: on_being_a_police_officer

Facebook: On Being a Police Officer

Abby@Ellsworthproductions.com

www.onbeingapoliceofficer.com

©Abby Ellsworth. All booking, interviews, editing, and production by Abby Ellsworth. Music courtesy of freesound.org

Ep. 79 As Child Abuse Detective Kristen King says in this episode, “If you haven’t cried in child abuse, you probably haven’t been there long enough or you’re lying.” In the years I’ve interviewed law enforcement, officers have always said that incidents with kids are the hardest. I wanted to shine a light on those that handle these cases on a daily basis.

Kristen has been with Dallas PD for 12 years. We review her career and talk about her not so predictable path to choosing law enforcement, some memorable calls from patrol and making the move to Child Abuse, something she said she knew she wanted to do during training. As she says, when it comes to crimes involving children – children are always going to be the victims, and she wants to help give them a voice. She cites the hard work of a multidisciplinary team of experts, agencies and organizations that make this possible.

Kristen explains what constitutes child abuse, the calls she has responded to and the cases she has handled as well as the importance of weighing all the variables when determining if an incident was a crime, an accident, or just bad parenting.

Kristen shares the emotional toll this work can take and why wellness matters — a topic that connects to Ep. 77 in which I interviewed her husband, Dallas Police Officer Joe King, head of the department’s wellness unit and host of the podcast ATO: Bridging the Divide.

A big part of Kristen’s passion is educating families on various topics to keep their kids safe. For example, why teaching “Stranger Danger” falls short because most assaults on children are committed by someone known to the child. She talks about what parents should teach their kids and how to recognize warning signs.

We also cover Kristen’s efforts to educate families on the importance of properly storing firearms in the home to prevent injuries and fatalities due to a child’s access to unsecured weapons which can lead to the charge known as "Making a Firearm Accessible to a Child."

And Kristen launched a campaign for which she helped raise funding called “Tiny Breaths Safe Sleep” about safe sleeping habits for babies – life saving tips that many parents may be unaware of.

This is a powerful episode on the work being done every day to protect our children.

Thank you, Kristen!

You can find Kristen on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristen-king10671/

Find me on my social or email me your thoughts:

Instagram: on_being_a_police_officer

Facebook: On Being a Police Officer

Abby@Ellsworthproductions.com

www.onbeingapoliceofficer.com

©Abby Ellsworth. All booking, interviews, editing, and production by Abby Ellsworth. Music courtesy of freesound.org

Jim Dudley of Police1’s “Policing Matters” interview with me!