• Police in Court, when they broke no laws. The reasons why.
    Jun 22 2025
    Police in Court, when they broke no laws. The reasons why. In an era where politics often collides with justice, law enforcement officers are increasingly finding themselves in court, prosecuted not for misconduct, but for doing their jobs. Despite well-established legal precedents like Graham v. Connor, some State’s Attorneys and Chief Prosecutors, many of whom are elected political figures, continue to push criminal charges against police officers who have broken no laws. The episode is also promoted across their Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , Medium and other platforms. “These prosecutions aren’t always about justice, they’re often about politics,” says Lance LoRusso, a police officer turned attorney, widely known as “The Blue Line Lawyer.” LoRusso has spent over three decades in public safety, first as an EMT and police officer, and now as a nationally recognized advocate and defender of law enforcement officers. This episode of The Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast now streaming on for free on their website, in addition to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and most major social podcast platforms. The 1989 Supreme Court case Graham v. Connor set the standard for evaluating claims of excessive force by police, focusing on "objective reasonableness." The ruling emphasized that police use of force must be judged from the standpoint of a reasonable officer on the scene, not through the lens of 20/20 hindsight. Yet that critical distinction is often disregarded when officers are put on trial. Police in Court, when they broke no laws. The reasons why. Look for supporting stories about this and much more from Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast in platforms like Medium , Blogspot and Linkedin . “Prosecutors should be guided by facts and the law, not by appearances or political pressure,” LoRusso asserts. He has represented over 175 first responders in critical incidents, including officer-involved shootings. “Too many prosecutions ignore clear-cut evidence that the officer acted lawfully, within department training, and responded appropriately to an immediate threat.” Courts and prosecutors are supposed to weigh key factors like the severity of the offense, whether the suspect posed an immediate threat, and whether they were resisting or fleeing. But when the public cries out and the cameras roll, these facts are often pushed aside. The Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast episode is available for free on their website , Apple Podcasts , Spotify and most major podcast platforms. And the cost is enormous. “Millions of taxpayer dollars are wasted on these prosecutions,” LoRusso explains. “When officers are acquitted, and many are, they still suffer mentally, financially, and professionally. Their families suffer too.” Police in Court, when they broke no laws. The reasons why. Available for free on their website and streaming on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other podcast platforms. According to The Washington Post, police officers who are charged with murder or manslaughter while on duty are only convicted about 50% of the time. That statistic raises a sobering question: Why are so many police being prosecuted in the first place? LoRusso believes he knows the answer. “In at least half of these cases, prosecutors either knew, or should have known, that the officers did nothing wrong. They pursued these charges anyway, for reasons that had more to do with public optics and political ambitions than legal merit.” LoRusso, who holds degrees from Emory, Kennesaw State, and Georgia State University College of Law, is licensed to practice in Georgia, Tennessee, and Arkansas. He collaborates with legal teams across the U.S., defending law enforcement officers in politically motivated prosecutions. In 2021, he was named Attorney of the Year by the National Fraternal Order of Police. You can listen to his stories and interview on our website for free in addition to platforms like Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and other major podcast platforms. Beyond his legal work, LoRusso is also an author. His fiction novels bring to life authentic police stories with characters pulled from the heart of law enforcement. His non-fiction books are resources for officers facing legal scrutiny, and all proceeds go to first responder charities. His books and insights can be found on platforms like Apple, Spotify, and Amazon. Police in Court, when they broke no laws. The reasons why. He also leads training conferences for attorneys and law enforcement professionals. One central theme: how to manage the critical hours after an officer-involved shooting. “What happens in the first few hours can shape the entire case. That’s where most mistakes are made, not by the officer, but by the system that should be protecting them,” says LoRusso. The interview with Lance is promoted on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and other Law Enforcement Talk Radio and Podcast social platforms....
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    40 mins
  • Doctor in America pushing addictive pills
    Jun 18 2025
    Doctor in America, pushing addictive pills, The arrest and prosecution. Special Episode. In the ongoing battle against America’s opioid epidemic, few cases have rocked the justice system as hard as the arrest and prosecution of Dr. Stan Xuhui Li, one of the deadliest pill-pushing doctors in U.S. history. At the heart of this historic case was former New York County Assistant District Attorney Charlotte Bismuth, whose relentless pursuit of justice helped bring down a man who had been exploiting the medical profession for profit, at the cost of human lives. This episode of The Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast now streaming on for free on their website, in addition to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and most major social podcast platforms. “It wasn’t just about illegal prescriptions,” said Bismuth. “This was about a doctor in America, pushing addictive pills for cash, fully aware his patients were dying.” The episode is also promoted across their Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , Medium and other platforms. The Start of a Historic Case In 2010, Bismuth, a young assistant district attorney, had just joined the Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor (OSNP) in New York City. That same year, a whistleblower’s tip exposed suspicious activity at a Queens pain clinic run by Dr. S. Li. What followed was a sprawling investigation that would stretch over four years. Doctor in America, pushing addictive pills, The arrest and prosecution. Look for supporting stories about this and much more from Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast in platforms like Medium , Blogspot and Linkedin . Bismuth, alongside a Senior Investigator and another Special Assistant DA, worked tirelessly to trace the damage caused by Li’s clinic. According to investigators, Dr. Li was seeing over 70 patients a day, mostly on Saturdays, and trading prescriptions for cash. He routinely prescribed powerful opioids like oxycodone and anti-anxiety drugs like Xanax with little to no medical evaluation. Even when warned by emergency room doctors and families that his patients were dying, Dr. Li refused to stop. The Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast episode is available for free on their website , Apple Podcasts , Spotify and most major podcast platforms. “We had evidence that patients were overdosing, yet the prescriptions continued,” Bismuth shared in an episode of her podcast, now available on Apple, Spotify, and other platforms. “The public deserved accountability. These were real lives lost to greed.” Doctor in America, pushing addictive pills, the arrest and prosecution. The investigation culminated in Dr. Li’s arrest in November 2011. Over the next three years, Bismuth and her team built a case that would change legal precedent. In 2014, after a grueling four-month trial, a Manhattan jury found Dr. Li guilty on 198 counts, including Manslaughter in the Second Degree, Reckless Endangerment, and Criminal Sale of a Prescription for a Controlled Substance. Available for free on their website and streaming on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other podcast platforms. The court heard that Li was responsible for recklessly causing the deaths of at least two patients and endangering several more. He had even prescribed 24 different prescriptions to the man behind the infamous Medford pharmacy massacre. Special Narcotics Prosecutor Bridget Brennan called the case a “landmark conviction.” It was the first time a doctor in New York State had been held criminally liable for overdose deaths stemming from prescription drugs. You can listen to his stories and interview on our website for free in addition to platforms like Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and other major podcast platforms. A Voice for Justice After the trial, Bismuth continued her advocacy. She was named Director of Training for the OSNP, where she emphasized ethics, family-work balance, and respect within the legal profession. In 2015, she stepped away from law to spend time with her family and to write the full story of the case. Doctor in America, pushing addictive pills, The arrest and prosecution. Her acclaimed book, Bad Medicine: Catching New York’s Deadliest Pill Pusher, dives deep into the trial and the human cost of the opioid crisis. A second book, Killer in a White Coat, further explores the systemic failures that allowed him to operate for years. The full podcast episode is streaming now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and across Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. “Writing the book was painful, but necessary,” Bismuth said in an interview shared across Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X. “This is about accountability. About telling the truth. About never forgetting the victims.” She donates a portion of her book proceeds to the FedUp! Coalition, and continues to speak out about the opioid epidemic, sharing her story through news media and podcast appearances. A Wake-Up Call for the Medical World, Doctor in America, ...
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    39 mins
  • The Traumas of Police Work and Drowning Deaths.
    Jun 15 2025
    The Traumas of Police Work and Drowning Deaths, Special Episode. The badge doesn’t always protect the heart. Retired Seminole County Sheriff’s Sergeant Mark DiBona knows that truth all too well. After more than three decades in law enforcement, spanning from Braintree, Massachusetts to the heart of Florida, DiBona's battle wasn’t just with criminals, it was with the lasting traumas of police work, the devastating toll of a baby’s drowning death, and a fight for his own life. The episode is also promoted across their Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , Medium and other platforms. “I couldn’t save that baby,” Mark shared in this episode of The Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast now streaming on for free on their website, in addition to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and most major social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn. “And that day nearly cost me my life too.” Look for supporting stories about this and much more from Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast in platforms like Medium , Blogspot and Linkedin . The incident that nearly broke him happened in Seminole County, Florida, where DiBona had built a respected career within a sheriff’s office, with 1,400 employees and nearly $170 million budget. Seminole County, nestled in Central Florida and part of the Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford metro area, is no stranger to public safety challenges. But few hit as close to home as the tragic, preventable death of a young child. The Traumas of Police Work and Drowning Deaths. Drowning: Florida’s Hidden Crisis Florida tragically leads the nation in child drowning deaths. In 2023 alone, 97 children in the state lost their lives to drowning. Residential pools, bathtubs, and even buckets of standing water claim lives year-round, particularly during the spring and summer months. Lack of proper supervision, faulty or missing safety barriers, and elopement behaviors in children are just a few of the contributing factors. The Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast episode is available for free on their website , Apple Podcasts , Spotify and most major podcast platforms. DiBona responded to one such scene: a baby in medical distress from drowning. Despite doing everything he could, the child couldn’t be saved. “That was it for me,” he admitted. “I’d seen violence, accidents, suicides, but that baby…I still hear that day in my sleep.” The Weight of the Badge, Available for free on their website and streaming on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other podcast platforms. The Traumas of Police Work and Drowning Deaths. Law enforcement officers are at a significantly higher risk of developing PTSD than the general population. Studies show between 7% and 19% of officers experience symptoms consistent with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. The causes? The trauma is layered and relentless: Regular exposure to gruesome scenes and high-stress situations. Emotional and psychological burdens from the decisions they make. Cumulative trauma over years without real recovery time. Isolation and internal pressure to "stay strong" at all costs. Mark DiBona was no exception. “I developed PTSD, depression, anxiety…and it showed” he revealed, pausing to reflect. “There were times I didn’t want to live anymore. I didn’t think I was worth saving.” You can listen to his stories and interview on our website for free in addition to platforms like Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and other major podcast platforms. His Recovery and a New Mission But he was saved, through faith, therapy, purpose, and community. DiBona, now a nationally recognized speaker and advocate, travels the country as the “Rock Star of Mental Health,” speaking about suicide prevention, first responder wellness, and the traumas of police work. His voice is raw, honest, and hard-won. The Traumas of Police Work and Drowning Deaths. “I want every cop, firefighter, EMT, dispatcher, any first responder, to know: You can come back from the edge. I’m proof,” he said. The full podcast episode is streaming now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and across Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. He co-founded Behind the Tin an initiative aimed at protecting those who protect others. His story, shared widely through podcasts, various news and radio outlets, and social media platforms like their LinkedIn and Instagram, is saving lives by shining a light on what he calls “the silent injuries” of the job. “I always considered myself a cop’s cop,” DiBona said. “But I didn’t know I’d have to learn how to save myself too.” Spreading the Word, Saving Lives Mark believes the issue of PTSD in law enforcement isn’t just under-reported, it’s dangerously misunderstood. The macho culture, fear of judgment, and lack of institutional support often silence those who are suffering. The Traumas of Police Work and Drowning Deaths. “We lose more cops to suicide than to gunfire. Where’s the outrage?...
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    40 mins
  • Police and Gangs, Her Battle With The Department.
    Jun 11 2025
    Police and Gangs, Her Battle With The Department and Court. In the gritty streets of California’s Bay Area, former police officer Janelle Perez patrolled neighborhoods ravaged by gang violence, battling not only criminal organizations but also the very department she once proudly served. The Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast episode is available for free on their website , Apple Podcasts , Spotify and most major podcast platforms. “I came into law enforcement with purpose,” Janelle shared during an interview on The Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show which is featured as a free podcast episode available on their website, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and many podcast platforms. The episode is also promoted across their Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , Medium and other platforms. “But I never imagined that the hardest fight I’d face wouldn’t be with the gangs, but with my own department.” Janelle Perez is a former Bay Area police officer whose career was defined by front-line encounters with violent gangs like the Sureños, Norteños, and Wah Ching, organized groups deeply rooted in California's urban corridors which also grew into the suburbs. In her role, she confronted everything from drug trafficking to gangland turf wars fueled by stolen firearms and fear. But her story doesn’t end with arrests and patrols. Her memoir, The Moral Police, tells a deeper story. It chronicles her unexpected and painful descent from decorated officer to plaintiff in a courtroom battle against the police department that dismissed her. Police and Gangs, Her Battle With The Department and Court. Look for supporting stories about this and much more from Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast in platforms like Medium , Blogspot and Linkedin . Perez was fired after eight months with the Roseville Police Department, she says for an off-duty relationship with a fellow officer during her separation. She took her case to the court, citing gender discrimination and privacy violations. Her battle stretched across seven years and reached the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, where she initially won. But that victory was later overturned. “It wasn’t just a legal fight,” Janelle said. Janelle, a Penn State graduate in Justice Administration and Sociology, became a voice for reform and an advocate for female leadership in law enforcement. In her podcast interviews and media appearances, she says that the justice system often fails its own, especially when gender dynamics and departmental politics collide. Throughout her time in law enforcement, Perez worked in communities where gangs weren’t just a threat, they were a way of life. From the Eddy Rock and Knock Out Posse gangs in San Francisco to major prison gangs like the Mexican Mafia, Nuestra Familia, and Aryan Brotherhood, she navigated a violent landscape that demanded vigilance, intuition, and resilience. “These gangs enforce their own kind of law,” Perez explained. “And when the actual justice system fails from the inside, it becomes hard to tell who you’re really fighting.” Police and Gangs, Her Battle With The Department and Court. Available for free on their website and streaming on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other podcast platforms. Statistics underscore the challenges she faced. By the early 1990s, California had become a hub for gang activity, with thousands of organized groups and hundreds of thousands of members. Urban centers like Oakland, San Jose, and Richmond became battlegrounds where gang-related homicides and turf wars eclipsed many other forms of crime. According to national surveys, gang membership and criminal incidents surged between 1991 and 1993, peaking at over half a million members and hundreds of thousands of gang-related crimes. In these conditions, law enforcement officers walk a razor-thin line. “When you're confronting people who operate by their own rules, you expect your department to have your back,” Janelle said. “But that’s not always the case. And that’s what hurts the most.” The Moral Police doesn’t just delve into the systemic flaws of the police system. It’s a call for accountability, leadership, and reform. Through her writing, radio interviews, and podcast appearances, Janelle Perez shines a light on the importance of transparency in law enforcement—especially when those in power misuse it. You can listen to her stories and interview on our website for free in addition to platforms like Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and other major podcast platforms. Her story resonates across social platforms and professional networks, drawing attention from news outlets and discussion forums alike. The Facebook and Instagram comments are filled with encouragement. LinkedIn readers are engaging with posts about her on workplace equity and integrity. Police and Gangs, Her Battle With The Department and Court. “I wanted to inspire others not to stay silent. Whether you’re in law ...
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    39 mins
  • Arresting A Serial Criminal That Attacked Women.
    Jun 8 2025
    Arresting A Serial Criminal That Attacked Women. What better place than a courtroom to find a violent serial criminal, but to get to Court you have to arrest them first. Brian Surber, a seasoned attorney and former special agent, is our guest. The courthouse wasn’t off-limits for the predators he’s faced. Surber, who brings experience from both the prosecution and law enforcement sides of the justice system, shares gripping firsthand accounts of tracking, arresting, and prosecuting some of the most dangerous criminals in America, including a serial attacker whose crimes spanned states and whose victims were often unaware they were being watched, followed, and targeted. The episode is also promoted across their Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , Medium and other platforms. In a special podcast episode now available on Apple, Spotify, and shared widely across Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and other social media platforms, Surber recounts the dramatic story of taking down a serial criminal that attacked women. “These weren’t crimes of opportunity,” Surber says. “They were premeditated. This individual targeted women, tracked their routines, and even used social engineering tactics online and in person. What stood out was the level of planning and confidence, he believed he couldn’t be stopped.” The Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast episode is available for free on their website , Apple Podcasts , Spotify and most major podcast platforms. Brian Surber served as a prosecuting attorney and also worked with the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control, giving him a rare dual perspective: one that spans investigation and courtroom prosecution. Over the course of his career, he’s helped dismantle violent drug gangs, secure convictions for high-profile offenders, and navigate complex cases where digital footprints, DNA evidence, and survivor testimony intertwine. Arresting A Serial Criminal That Attacked Women. “One of the most horrifying cases involved a serial rapist who used surveillance of victims,” Surber explains. “He would attack them and systematically erase any sense of control they had left. These predators know how to hide in plain sight.” Look for supporting stories about this and much more from Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast in platforms like Medium , Blogspot and Linkedin . Statistics support the pattern. According to multiple studies, serial rapists often go undetected for years due to a combination of rape kit backlogs and the tendency for early victims not to report. Research from Case Western Reserve University revealed that 60% of serial rapists had been previously arrested for other sexual assaults, a fact that underscores the importance of early intervention and vigilant policing. Surber’s work highlights this point precisely: catching these offenders early is crucial not only to prevent future assaults but also to expose patterns that only emerge over time. “Many of these men had long histories of violence, often rooted in their own trauma. But that doesn’t excuse the choices they made,” Surber says. “Their use of threats, drugging, stalking, and predatory behavior wasn’t random, it was calculated.” Arresting A Serial Criminal That Attacked Women. The FBI’s Behavioral Science Unit, created in 1974, was instrumental in identifying behavioral patterns that would later help in arresting serial predators. Surber often consulted with behavioral experts to map the escalation patterns, from juvenile fetish crimes and voyeurism to full-blown violent assaults. In one study of 41 serial rapists, researchers found over 1,200 attempted and completed rapes, yet only 200 convictions. “That’s a terrifying statistic,” Surber adds, “and it proves how much work we still have to do.” Available for free on their website and streaming on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other podcast platforms. The conversation takes a sharp turn when Surber critiques the growing push for criminal justice reform, a movement he argues has been clouded by emotion rather than rooted in facts. “We’re seeing people who push dangerous policies under the guise of reform,” he says. “But the truth is, these reforms have in many cases made it harder to protect victims and prosecute predators.” His book, "Injustice for All: The (Familiar) Fallacies of Criminal Justice Reform," aims to expose the unintended consequences of poorly conceived reform efforts. “We’re not talking about harmless offenders. We’re talking about men who assault dozens of women, sometimes in public or inside institutions meant to protect them,” he writes. “And then we’re asked to soften our approach? That’s insanity.” Surber’s experiences, and his words, are raw, honest, and deeply unsettling. But they are also necessary. Through his website, BrianSurber.com, and appearances on news platforms, podcasts, and social media, he’s sparking ...
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    38 mins
  • A Friend Police Officer Was Murdered, The Mystery
    Jun 4 2025
    A Friend Police Officer Was Murdered, The Mystery. Special Episode. In a Free Podcast episode now streaming on Apple, Spotify, and shared widely across Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, former law enforcement officer and paramedic David J. Brown opened up about a tragedy that has haunted him for decades, the 1982 murder of his friend and co-worker, Deputy Town Marshal Richard E. Hart. “This wasn’t just a fellow officer,” Brown shared. “Rick was a true friend, a devoted family man, and someone who represented the best of what it means to serve.” It is also promoted across their Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , Medium and other platforms. A Routine Traffic Stop Turns Tragic The heartbreaking incident took place in the early hours of October 16, 1982, in the small town of Firestone, Colorado. Hart and another officer were patrolling when they responded to the sound of a nearby car accident. The Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast episode is available for free on their website , Apple Podcasts , Spotify and most major podcast platforms. Hart approached a car, suspected of fleeing the scene while the driver appeared intoxicated. As Hart leaned into the vehicle to retrieve the keys, the driver sped off, dragging Hart along the pavement. He sustained massive head injuries and was airlifted to a Hospital in Englewood. Despite all efforts, Hart died two days later. A Friend Police Officer Was Murdered, The Mystery. He was just 34 years old, a Vietnam veteran, a father of two, and a respected part-time officer with the Firestone Police Department. Look for supporting stories about this and much more from Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast in platforms like Medium , Blogspot and Linkedin . The Manhunt and the Mystery The suspect, was arrested that same morning, hiding in the weeds not far from the abandoned car. Despite his .20% blood alcohol content, a history of DUIs, and a recent license suspension, he was released on a $2,000 bond, posting just $200 through a bail bondsman. “That’s when the nightmare deepened,” Brown said. “How someone like him could walk out of jail the same day he put a police officer on life support, it just didn’t make sense.” Available for free on their website and streaming on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other podcast platforms. The suspect disappeared shortly after being released. A multi-state manhunt followed. Despite FBI involvement and multiple added charges, including vehicular homicide, habitual offender, and failure to appear, the suspect remained elusive. A Friend Police Officer Was Murdered, The Mystery. The answer to this enduring mystery came nearly five years later, when the suspect's body was found near Weber Reservoir in Nevada. He had committed suicide with a .38 caliber revolver. His note left no mention of Officer Hart. You can listen to his stories and interview on our website for free in addition to platforms like Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and other major podcast platforms. “He ran for years,” said Brown. “But he couldn’t outrun his guilt. The impact of what he did never left him, just as the consequences never left Rick’s family or the rest of us.” A Life of Service Born in the Midwest, Richard Hart served as a Military Policeman in Vietnam before beginning his law enforcement career in Duncan, Oklahoma. In the mid-70s, he moved to Colorado, balancing work as a tank truck driver and part-time police officer. Firestone Marshal Tony Onorato, Sr., personally recruited Hart in 1977 due to his exceptional record. Known for his humility and dedication, Hart quickly became a pillar of the Firestone Police Department. A Friend Police Officer Was Murdered, The Mystery. Hart was also a devoted husband to and father. His youngest son, was born with Treacher Collins Syndrome, requiring multiple surgeries. The tragedy galvanized the community. A benefit event named “Heart to Hart Day” raised over $21,000, helping fund his son's treatments. Follow the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and podcast on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Medium and most all social media platforms. Honoring His Legacy Over the years, former and current Firestone Police Chiefs, including Steve Modrell and David L. Montgomery, have worked tirelessly to ensure that Officer Hart’s sacrifice is never forgotten. His name is etched on memorials at: Bittersweet Park, Weld County Colorado State Patrol Academy Colorado Law Enforcement Memorial National Law Enforcement Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C. In 2002, the town dedicated Hart Park at 4th & Jackson in his honor. It was later rededicated in 2012 for future generations to remember his legacy. A Friend Police Officer Was Murdered, The Mystery. The interview is available as a free podcast on the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and podcast website, also available on platforms like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and most major podcast outlets. “His story is a reminder of what law enforcement ...
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    39 mins
  • A Violent Sex Crime Broke Her, Retired Sheriff Recovering From PTSD
    Jun 1 2025
    A Violent Sex Crime Broke Her, Retired Sheriff Recovering From PTSD. When Trauma Breaks the Strongest: A Retired Florida Sheriff’s Deputy Shares Her Journey From Violent Crime Scenes to PTSD Recovery. In the heart of Orange County, Florida, where the sun and theme parks often mask the darker truths of urban life, violent crime remains an ongoing concern. With a violent crime rate of 836 incidents per 100,000 residents in 2023, significantly higher than the national average, law enforcement officers in the area are exposed to deeply traumatic scenes on a regular basis. It is also promoted across their Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , Medium and other platforms. Donna Michaels knows this firsthand. A retired Orange County Sheriff's Deputy, Michaels spent years responding to violent sex crimes, tragic accidents, and gut-wrenching child deaths. One case still haunts her to this day, a brutal gang sexual assault involving a teenage girl, discovered wandering the streets in a drug-induced haze, her body covered in graffiti. The injuries were severe. "She didn’t just survive the attack, she survived the betrayal," Donna recalls. “One of the suspects in the attack was her own brother. And to make it worse, her own mother actively obstructed the investigation.” The Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast episode is available for free on their website , Apple Podcasts , Spotify and most major podcast platforms. The trauma of that investigation didn’t fade when the case stalled. It followed Donna. “We were up against walls that no amount of law enforcement training prepares you for,” she said during a recent interview on the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show, available on Apple and Spotify podcast platforms. A Violent Sex Crime Broke Her, Retired Sheriff Recovering From PTSD. For Donna, the trauma didn’t stop when she hung up the badge. It lingered, a constant companion that took the form of cumulative PTSD, a condition many officers suffer in silence. “Every time I thought I had moved past it, the memories came back,” she says. “We don’t talk enough about what happens after the uniform comes off.” Look for supporting stories about this and much more from Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast in platforms like Medium , Blogspot and Linkedin . From the Front Lines to Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn Donna took her story public. She began sharing her experiences across social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, hoping that openness might help others who were silently battling similar demons. Her vulnerability struck a chord. It was through this transparency that her book, Courageously Broken: A Memoir About Overcoming Adversity and Conquering the Battle Scars of Life, came to life. In it, Donna recounts her journey from a small town and an abusive home to the Navy, and eventually, to law enforcement. She tells of skydiving with Navy SEALs and investigating child drownings, moments of courage and collapse alike. “I didn’t write it because I had all the answers,” she says. “I wrote it because people need to know they’re not alone.” A Violent Sex Crime Broke Her, Retired Sheriff Recovering From PTSD. Available for free on their website and streaming on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other podcast platforms. The Birth of Heroes United To Heal Inspired by the overwhelming response to her story, Donna founded Heroes United To Heal, a nonprofit aimed at eradicating “Hero Suicide.” The organization raises awareness about PTSD and works to eliminate the stigma surrounding it, especially among veterans and first responders. “Too many of us are suffering in silence,” Donna said. “The same people who are willing to charge into burning buildings or confront armed suspects often won’t admit when they’re struggling emotionally. That needs to change.” Heroes United To Heal doesn’t just talk about the problem, it funds real solutions. The organization provides financial support for therapies not covered by the VA or insurance, including equine therapy, EMDR, and group retreats. “We want to make sure that no hero is left behind, especially not because of bureaucracy,” Donna added. You can listen to his stories and interview on our website for free in addition to platforms like Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and other major podcast platforms. The Sheriff’s Legacy and the Shadows of Trauma The Orange County Sheriff's Office, one of the largest in Florida, with a $300 million budget and more than 2,700 employees, has a long and proud history dating back to 1845. Today, it serves more than 1.4 million residents and millions of tourists annually. Yet, for all its resources, Donna believes more needs to be done to support those who serve within it. A Violent Sex Crime Broke Her, Retired Sheriff Recovering From PTSD. "Leadership matters,” Donna says. “But so does listening, really listening, to what your deputies are carrying with them ...
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    41 mins
  • Her Triumph Over PTSD, In Marriage and Life.
    May 28 2025
    Her Triumph Over PTSD, In Marriage and Life. Special Episode. Trauma often leaves silent scars. Jen Satterly has emerged as a powerful voice for recovery, resilience, and hope. Her journey, from behind the camera lens to the front lines of healing, reveals a deeply personal and professional commitment to helping others overcome the lingering effects of PTSD, especially within the tight-knit communities of Special Forces veterans and their families. The Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast episode is available for free on their website , Apple Podcasts , Spotify and most major podcast platforms. Jen’s story begins not in uniform, but in creativity. As an award-winning advertising specialist and filmmaker, she was invited to embed with elite military units, capturing the essence of Special Operations training missions. Working alongside Navy SEALS, Green Berets, and Army Rangers, she documented the unfiltered reality of war simulation. But what she captured went far beyond the battlefield. It is also promoted across their Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , Medium and other platforms. “Being embedded in that world opened my eyes not only to the courage of our warriors,” Jen shared, “but also to the invisible wounds they carry, ones that follow them home.” It was during this time that Jen met Tom Satterly, a retired Command Sgt. Major with Delta Force, and a highly decorated combat veteran. Tom’s career had taken him through the darkest corners of modern warfare, including the Battle of Mogadishu, portrayed in the Oscar-winning movie "Black Hawk Down". This brutal engagement marked the longest firefight since Vietnam and left permanent imprints on all who survived. Her Triumph Over PTSD, In Marriage and Life. Look for supporting stories about this and much more from Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast in platforms like Medium , Blogspot and Linkedin . Tom’s internal battle didn’t end with his military service. Like many veterans, he struggled with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and Jen quickly realized the emotional toll extended beyond the soldier to the entire family unit. Their marriage became both a test and a testament to what love and understanding could achieve in the face of trauma. Together, they founded the All Secure Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping Special Operations warriors and their families heal from the trauma of war. Jen, now a certified health and wellness coach, stepped away from production to focus on helping others navigate life after combat. Their mission: to treat both the seen and unseen wounds of war. “PTS doesn’t just affect the veteran,” Jen emphasized. “It’s a battle that affects the entire household. Spouses and children experience what’s called complex secondary PTSD. They become collateral damage in a war they never signed up for.” Available for free on their website and streaming on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other podcast platforms. Jenn Satterly co-authored "Arsenal of Hope", a powerful book that delivers practical tools and raw, authentic stories from their life together. In it, Jen draws from both scientific research and lived experience, weaving together tactics to manage PTSD symptoms, from isolation and anxiety to anger and depression, through actionable advice and humor. Her Triumph Over PTSD, In Marriage and Life. “Arsenal of Hope isn’t just a book,” Jen said. “It’s a lifeline for anyone who feels like they’re drowning.” Jen also founded Virago, a platform tailored specifically for women who face PTSD on the home front. Virago, which means a woman of strength, aims to educate, empower, and connect women who are often the silent strength behind our nation’s heroes. Their story has resonated with thousands, especially through social platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, where they regularly share resources, insights, and community events. Their podcast, also titled All Secure, is available on Apple and Spotify, and features unflinching conversations about trauma, healing, and personal transformation. You can listen to his stories and interview on our website for free in addition to platforms like Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and other major podcast platforms. In this episode of the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast listeners will find an unfiltered look into the reality of military marriages, life after combat, and practical recovery strategies. The Satterlys’ efforts haven’t gone unnoticed. The All Secure Foundation has earned top ratings from nonprofit watchdogs and now serves thousands of veterans and families. Their work fills a vital gap in the support system, especially for those in the elite Special Operations community who often face stigma around seeking help. Her Triumph Over PTSD, In Marriage and Life. Tom, who once led missions capturing war criminals and taking down high-value targets, including Saddam Hussein, now ...
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    39 mins