Episodes
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**** Trigger Warning Alert****
Episode 100 was always going to be a special episode for our show but when I got today’s guest to finally agree to tell his story I knew I wanted to make it extra special for the listener but also make it special for one of my best friends and one of the most impressive humans I have ever met. – Joe King.
We are honored to share this stage with Dallas SWAT Operator and ATO: Bridging the Divide Co-Creator, Daniel Canete.
Danny gravitated to music at the age of five and quickly began mastering the language and art of music as he became a student of the piano. Most students that age avoided the stage, but Danny ran to it and excelled and built on his natural inquisitive nature and quickly began performing on that stage. Playing at churches, then to recitals, then began dominating in local and state competitions. He was a natural on the performance stage, this trait will become very important as later he will find himself on a life and death stage.
As a musician, his desire was to share music with people to perpetuate a love for the arts and to educate the public in order to keep the classical arts alive. He mastered the piano and percussion but the five-octave marimba will always hold a special place in Danny’s heart.
Danny left his mark on the music world at Colorado State as a scholarship was created in his name, the Daniel Canete Music Performance Scholarship.
Sometimes we all reach crossroads in life and are thrust into a difficult decision as we navigate our life journey. Danny, with all of his skills and successes and dedication to music, was not impervious to these life changing decisions. 9/11 changed us all and changed the world but for some people, people like Danny, it provided him a new calling to serve this world in a different way.
He chose to serve with the Dallas Police Department and was assigned to “God’s Country”, the Southeast Division and fell in love with being a street cop and serving the citizens.
This story will finally give the listener a peek into the life of a very private man that just happens to have a very high-profile profession as a member of Dallas SWAT.
The stage is set and the ATO listeners are making their way to their seats to see a true talented and gifted performer.
Thank you for all of the support you have given us since August of 2021, it has been an incredible journey to 100.
Special Thanks:
Billings PD Lt. Brandon Wooley
USAF Lt. Colonel Zach, Cougar, Fennell
Dr. Janet Landreth
SWAT Lt. Andre Taylor
SWAT ASL Matt Smith
SWAT Sgt. Ryan Scott
SWAT Brandon Berie
Trent Custis
Kimberly Canete
Critical Incidents Discussed:February 13th, 2012
Officer involved shooting in Pleasant Grove, Southeast Division, as CRT members engaged a robbery suspect.
July 7th 2016
The shooting in downtown Dallas on July 7th 2016 when five Officers were killed, and nine others were wounded during a protest in downtown Dallas Texas. Two civilians were also injured during this cowardly attack as it was the deadliest incident for law enforcement since the September 11th, 2001, attacks.
Daniel Canete Music Performance Scholarship - College of Liberal Arts | Colorado State University (colostate.edu)
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Today we sat with Dallas Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Morse to discuss the origins of the Dallas District Attorney’s Office new approach to caring for their own.
Jennifer and a team at the DA’s office saw a need to create something to provide support for their staff in the world of mental wellness and to address, head on, the trauma that they are exposed to.
Police and the District Attorney’s Office work as partners to help give justice to victims of crimes as they prepare each case to be presented before a court of law.
The exposure to violence and trauma is real…the exposure to the stress of carefully prepping a case is real….
Combing over mountains of evidence, graphic photos and videos, speaking with the victims and their families, and game planning against defense attorneys is part of the every day prosecution world and all the stress and anxiety that can accompany it.
Finding Freedom Therapy and ATO counselor Amanda Noyes sits in to cohost to lend her expertise on this topic.
Next time you hear us will be Episode 100……..
Joe
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Missing episodes?
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T.E.D: Tell, Explain, Describe.
Today is our first episode of a training series that will be topic specific and will feature subject matter experts. Our goal is to help provide a form of training and education to other first responders as well as the community.
This episode will cover the art of investigative interviews and will be presented by retired Dallas Police Homicide Detective John Palmer.
John Palmer retired after 28 years of service with the Dallas Police Department (DPD). He served in the DPD Homicide Unit for 15 years. Prior to his time in the Homicide Unit, Palmer served in the Felony Assault Unit, and 10 years in the Patrol Division including time as Field Training Officer (FTO). Palmer also served as an instructor at the DPD In-Service Academy where he regularly taught classes on investigative topics, interview and interrogation, and Texas master peace officer certification courses.
Palmer has appeared as a guest speaker at numerous venues including the Crimes Against Children Conference, the Crimes Against Women Conference, the International Association of Chiefs of Police Conference, and many other seminars. He served on the National Advisory Board of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Violent Criminal Apprehension Program (VICAP).
Palmer’s investigative work in the DPD Homicide Unit has been featured on the A&E television show, The First 48.
Hosts: Daniel Canete, Kent Wolverton, and Joe King.
Special guest cohost Dallas Police Homicide Detective Andrea Isom.
#A&EFIRST48
#HOMICIDE
#INVESTIGATIVEINTERVIEW
#FLETC
#INVESTIGATIONS
#MURDER
#SUSPECTINTERVIEW
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Today we sit down with the Dallas Firefighter Association President Jeff Patterson.
After growing up in Plano Texas, Jeff answered the call to serve in 2008 when he applied for the Dallas Fire Department and once, he stepped into that role and into the firehouse he knew that he was where he needed to be. He then had a second family as he now was a firefighter in Dallas and was assigned to one of the busiest areas in one of the most violent parts of Dallas.
On May 3rd, 2014, Jeff and his team answered a house fire call in the 4700 block of Chilton in Dallas and his life and his family’s life changed forever.
Jeff found himself trapped in the burning house and had to be dragged out from a window by one of his teammates, but the damage had been done.
He suffered third degree burns to nearly half of his body and was placed into a medically induced coma for six weeks to recover from these burns.
During this stay in the Parkland Burn ICU and his stay at Zale Lipshy enduring rehab his beautiful wife was diagnosed with cancer.
Another life hurdle for the Patterson family but as their friends and family bonded together they came out the other side stronger and with a different mission to give back.
This episode will release on the ten year anniversary of this incident.
This is the story resiliency, fait, and sheer willpower to survive and serve.
Critical Incident:
5/3/2014 on the 4700 block of Chilton.
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We often hear the saying, "You are a product of your environment," and indeed, there is undeniable truth to this. Our upbringing, the values instilled in us by our families, and the communities we grow up in shape who we are and who we become.For many of us, we are born into families with long-standing traditions, passed down from generation to generation. These traditions can be cultural, religious, or even professional. They serve as a foundation, a guiding light that provides us with a sense of identity and belonging.While these traditions provide us with a solid foundation, they should not be a limitation. Each one of us possesses the freedom and the responsibility to carve our own path, to explore new possibilities, and to chase our dreams. It's essential to honor and respect our family traditions, but it's equally crucial to find our own voice and to follow our passions.Carving your own path doesn't mean forgetting where you come from. On the contrary, it means carrying forward the lessons, the values, and the wisdom of those who came before us. It means building upon their legacy, adding our own unique experiences and perspectives to create something new and meaningful.In this journey of self-discovery and personal growth, we must never forget those who have passed before us. They are the architects of our heritage, the keepers of our stories, and the guardians of our values. Their wisdom, sacrifices, and love continue to guide us, even in their absence.So, as we navigate the complexities of life, let us cherish the traditions that have shaped us, but let us also have the courage to explore uncharted territories. Let us honor the memory of those who have passed by living our lives with purpose, integrity, and compassion.
In memory of Micheal Patrick Gordon ~ End of Watch August 8, 2004
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Welcome back for our 15th Message From the Host!
Today we will feature one of our great partners in the Carry the Load organization.
This great organization started as a grass roots movement in Dallas to restore the true meaning of Memorial Day. It has since grown to a national movement as they have raised over 42 million dollars with a staggering 93% of the monies raised going to the programs for military and first responders and their families. Carry the Load has donated over 800,000 dollars to the ATO since our partnership started.
We sit down with Active Dallas Officers Joe Meno, ATO Chairman Ed Lujan and Sgt. Tony Andujar as they tell the listener their unique stories of what this event means to them.
They will let us know who they are carrying and why in this years national relays.
Also participating in this years CTL relay are Mike Gonzalez, Thomas Ranshaw, Scott Crump, Priscilla Hernandez, retired officers Miguel Sarimento and Beth Sundquist who is New England team captain.
If you would like to find out more information on Carry the Load please go to www.carrytheload.org
In Memory of:
The Colony Fire Department Jeffrey Scott Bell. EOW: 8/8/22
Dallas Sgt. Mike Smith EOW: 7/7/16
Dallas Sr. Cpl. Lorne Ahrens EOW: 7/8/16
Dallas Police Officer Michael Krol EOW: 7/7/16
Dallas Officer Patrick Zamarripa EOW: 7/7/16
Dart Officer Brent Thompson EOW: 7/7/16
Dallas Officer Mitchell Penton EOW: 2/13/21
Dallas Officer Jose De LA Rocha EOW: 8/20/23
Dallas Officer Jacob Arellano 10/12/22
As we draw near to Memorial Day we would like everyone to reflect on the holidays true meaning and ask yourself…WHO ARE YOU CARRYING?
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Today we sit down with another member of the Banes law enforcement family in Fort Worth PD’s very own Scott Banes.
Scott has been a member of the FWPD since 2005 and has worked patrol, the Special Response Team, Crimes Against Children Unit, Major Case Unit, SRT, CIT, and is currently the Sgt. over the Fentanyl Overdose Team.
Scott is married to a true bad in Karen as she is a six time BJJ World Champion and owner of Genisis Jiu Jitsu and they are parent to four beautiful kids.
We will get a history lesson on the great city of Forth Worth and its PD but also walk through several critical incidents with Scott and how each impacted him.
His identical twin brother, the Great Matt Banes, sits in to tell this story of a nearly two-decade law enforcement officer that found himself at a cross roads in life when he found himself wrestling with a decision to pursue a lucrative career in construction or to follow his call to duty.
After this episode you will understand his decision and also see a sheepdog in this guest.
Both of these individuals are necessary in this world to help battle evil and to act as protectors to those who cannot defend themselves and are also the type of men, type of officers that would die protecting you.
Welcome the Banes twins, Scott and Matt.
Critical Incidents Discussed:
OIS involving a wanted fugitive motorcycle gang member who was attempting to flee to Mexico after sexually assaulting a twelve year old girl.
OIS involving a wanted fugitive when FWPD followed the suspect in an unmarked vehicle.
July 7th 2016 Dallas Texas when a gunman murdered five officers and injured several others. Scott’s twin brother, Matt, was in SWAT at the time and was involved in a shootout with the suspect in El Centro College.
Discussion on FWPD’s efforts to combat the fentanyl drug epidemic.
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Welcome back ATO Family
Today we are sitting with one of the original members of the Dallas Police Fugitive Unit in Daniel Jamieson.
Daniel hired on with the Dallas Police Department in February of 2008 and trained at the Southeast Patrol before moving to Northwest Patrol.
In 2012 Dallas Police Chief David Brown created a brand-new unit called METRO that was designed to follow violent crime trends and began hunting fugitives in the City.
In 2017 this unit morphed into the new Fugitive, and they quickly became every investigative units new best friend as they tracked and hunted down the City’s most violent offenders. Daniel found himself to have a knack for using intelligence and his relentless desire to catch the bad guy as he excelled as a plain clothes Detective in this unit.
This episode will follow the career of an extremely dedicated and accomplished husband, father and law enforcement officer that survived officer involved shootings, tragedy from July 7th, and the successes of putting handcuffs on some of the most evil people in Dallas Texas.
However, in May of 2022 life turned on a dime for this incredible servant as he found himself in a nightmare as he was arrested for DWI and his life and career would be forever changed.
We are hoping this episode could serve as a cautionary tale to everyone that wakes up every day and struggles with life to know that demons, left unchecked, can change lives forever.Even heroes can stumble.
To tell this story one of Daniel’s great friends, Sgt. Omar Figueroa sits in to have his partners back as he exhibits the utmost vulnerability as he shares this story in hopes that others can learn from his successes and his failures.
If anyone out there listens to this and can see themselves in this story….Please reach out and get help. You are Not Alone.
Critical Incidents Discussed:
Officer involved shooting in 2009 on Mesita Dr.
Dixon Circle Shooting
2015 Headquarters Attack
July 7th, 2016, incident in downtown Dallas
Daniel Jamieson’s arrest on May 25th, 2022, in Mckinney Texas
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Welcome back for our latest message from the host with one of the Assist the Officer’s biggest supporters in the Mill Creek Ranch.
We sat down with General Manager Norm Bissonnette who tells the listener about his background in serving the great state of Kansas as a law enforcement officer for thirty years before moving to Texas to serve a different way. Norm was fortunate enough to be welcomed in by the Stewart Family who offered him a job just to maintain the property. After showing his true work ethic and loyalty they offered him the General Manager title.
Mill Creek Ranch is located in historic Canton Texas and offer cabin style cottage rentals.
The ATO has held their couple’s retreat at this location, which has grown in attendance and activities with each year and Mill Creek is always open to help make each event the best.
We are happy to promote our next event April 19th-21st, 2024 which will be our first responders weekend getaway.
April 20th we will have a barbeque and corn hole tournament with meal, music and fellowship.
All first responders are welcome to attend and join in the fun.
We look forward to seeing everyone there!
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In Memory of Dallas Police Sgt. Anthony Allen #8098
Today we will tell the listener the story behind the creation of the Dallas Police Honor Guard Unit. Like all great ideas there is a unique story, and this one is no different.
I knew this story would be important, so I sought out the person who had a vision that he turned, after years of planning and frustrations, into a reality for the Dallas Police Department. Sgt. Joe Denomy #4081 hired on with the Dept. in 1978 and proudly served for 36 years, most of this in Dallas SWAT.
After transferring to Tactical in 1985 part of the duties included an Honor guard function.
The duty was assigned to Tactical because “We looked good in uniform” Over the next several years attending way to many funerals, I noticed a couple of things. One Almost every other police department in North Texas had a designated Honor Guard Team. Most importantly we were sending officers to this vital function that had no desire to be there.
In January of 2000 he was part of DPD representatives at Ft. Worth Chief Windham’s funeral. At the graveside service all the attending Honor Guard were lined up together. As Joe looked down the multiple rows of officers, each department there had an Honor Guard patch or designation. That’s when I asked WHY not DPD. That day started the 6+ years before the team became a reality.
Joe will tell the story of how it all started and how he handed off the torch to Chief Foy.
Chief Foy will detail how he, a Sgt. at the time, had to rally his troops in the Honor Guard to complete 13 events in 5 days as the City suffered its darkest day in law enforcement history after July 7th, 2016.
Sr. Cpl. Reed Higgins, a family services liaison at the time, also joins this documenting of Honor Guard history.
Incidents Discussed:
2000 Funeral of Ft Worth PD Chief Windham.
Death and services of Dallas PD Gang Unit Legend Norm Smith.
July 7th, 2016, shooting in Dallas as 5 officers were murdered by a gunman.
January 23, 1988, Death of Dallas Officer John Chase
January 16th, 1983, Death of Dallas Officer John Pasco
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The ATO is proud and honored to welcome on the Founder of Breaking Barriers United and Chino PD Officer Ryan Tillman.
This episode will cover Ryan’s journey as he hired on with the Chino Police Department in 2013 and quickly realized the need to improve relations with the police and the communities they serve.
After years of working in Chino PD and being the school resource officer the Don Lugo High School he sharpened his God given talents as a pure communicator as he listened and actually heard the students and the community and formed much needed relationships.
Ryan wanted to take his calling and life mission a step further and create Breaking Barriers United to help transform law enforcement, business, and education, through relationship building using the model of Love, Empathy, and Respect into common practice.
He has created afterschool programs that train and teach students about the profession of Law Enforcement and Career Development and he also has a podcast called “ITSNEEDED” which is currently downloaded in over 47 countries. He hosts the “ITSNEEDED” conference, which brings law enforcement and city officials together for common goals. Currently Ryan is developing a program called “The United” which aims at recruiting and training the best future police officers. Ryan won’t cease his efforts until his goal of “Changing the face of modern-day policing”
The ATO started this podcast to provide a stage to first responders and their supporters to tell their stories to inspire, educate and humanize the profession.
Our title is Bridging the Divide because we understand that first responders Must have a relationship with the communities they serve so that we can better understand each other and be partners in this world.
Officer Tillman the stage is yours as we hear your passion and mission to truly bridging divides.
www.breakingbarriersunited.com
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Call 1-800-COPLINE to access this service. YOU ARE NOT ALONE
The ATO is proud to present the story of such a landmark and crucial piece of law enforcement as we tell the story of COPLINE. To tell this story is the founder, Stephanie Samuels. She is a psychotherapist that works exclusively with police officers. Ms. Samuels has lectured all over the country on PTSD and vicarious trauma, including undiagnosed PTSD and the from department silence after officers are involved in critical incidents as well as how traumatic pasts play a role in an officer’s career.
She is a part of a renowned National Research Team looking into the role concussions play in the mental health of law enforcement officers and the potential connection to suicide.
This information was published in Police1 in November in 2023 and this podcast will closely monitor this study as we all want to better understand the mind and spread awareness to help lengthen the minds and lives of the first responder.
In 2004 she officially launched COPLINE, national hotline for police officers which would later be answered 24/7 by retired, vetted, and trained officers throughout the United States. In April 2018, COPLINE became an international hotline when it was opened to Canada as well.
The listener will hear this incredible woman’s true passion for the her mission and the police profession after the end music roles and you will truly understand her “why” and her continued journey to assist the officers.
Ms. Samuels THANK YOU for your service.
Stephanie’s article in Police1 on the role of head injuries play in officers wellness and links to suicide below:
COPLINE's founder Stephanie Samuels on the role head injuries play in officer mental wellness (police1.com)
WWW.COPLINE.ORG
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“Child Abuse casts a shadow the length of a lifetime”
-Herbert Ward
Today’s episode will hold the listeners hand as we walk you through a child abuse investigation from someone that has walked this tragic path nearly twenty years with the Dallas Police Department.
Detective Corey Foreman hired on with Dallas in 1993 and graduated in Class #238 and then quickly headed to the Northeast Division to begin his career as a rookie cop.
However, a prior internship at the Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center seemingly foreshadowed the person Corey would eventually become and who he would help to protect as a Detective.
The title of Child Abuse Detective elicits cringes and concerned looks for all when they find out they are talking with someone in the Child Abuse Unit.
When it comes to crimes and solving certain types of crimes, in my opinion, there is no crime that can literally haunt the victims of those crimes and the people that investigate those crimes more than child crimes.
This episode will detail the early stages of an investigation, the partners involved, the puzzle building, and the emotional toll these investigations can take.
We have special guest cohosts in Child Abuse Detective Kristen King and Nakisha Biglow, Director of Partner Relations of Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center. Nakisha is a former forensic interviewer and has worked with Corey and assisted the Child Abuse Unit for several years. Detective King has been with the Child Abuse Unit since 2020 and has investigated child crimes ranging from chronic physical abuse, sexual abuse, and child homicide.
We are happy to present the Great Corey Foreman to the ATO stage.
Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center – DCAC Improves the Lives of Abused Children.
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Episode 90 Dallas Fire and Rescue Firefighter and Peer Support Coordinator Casey Ellsworth
Welcome back ATO family and welcome one of Dallas Fire and Rescues finest in Casey Ellsworth.
Casey started in 2009 in Dallas and hit the ground running at Station 19, one of the Department’s Urban Search and Rescue stations in Dallas.
He is trained in High Angle Rescue, Low angle Rescue, Trench Rescues, Structural Collapse situations, Heavy Machinery Rescues, Disaster Medical Specialists, Confined Space and Wide Area Searches.
Casey currently holds the position as the Peer Support Coordinator for the DFFA. The Peer Support work is all voluntary and done on the side. His primary job and assignment is Station 39, B Shift, Tiller-man.
In this episode Casey will take the listener back to May 1, 2017, on Reynolds street in Southeast Dallas as he and his partner Will An were ambushed by an active shooter as they attempted to assist a victim who was laying shot in the streets. Will suffered life threatening injuries as the shooter, armed with an AR-15, opened fire as they approached.
The Dallas Fire Department was formed in July 1872 and has a long history of saving lives in this county and the ATO is proud of the partnership and friendships we have formed.
Critical Incident:
Shooting on May 1,2017 on Reynolds St.
Dallas Firefighters were ambushed as they responded to a down person,
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ATO today’s episode features one of the true leaders of the Dallas Police Department and one of the most influential people in Dallas Police over the last three decades. This is a story of how a young kid from Houston came to Dallas Texas to serve the City in 1994 and end his career as the President over the Department’s largest Association.
Mike started in God’s country, the Southeast Division, and quickly gravitated to an aggressive, proactive style of policing and worked in the 3080s drug enforcement unit and had a unique knack for communicating, a trait that will serve him well later in his career.
He several assignments such as the academy, major crimes, and the traffic unit but all along, behind the scenes, Mike was fighting for the rank and file in the Department.
After years of serving on the Dallas Police Association board and serving as a Vice President, Mike took the keys to the DPA in 2016 then life at Dallas seemingly traveled into the twilight zone as they saw unbelievable tragedy, fight for pay, pension issues poor department leadership that the new president had on his plate.
Mike has dedicated his life to serving the city and not only the Dallas Police Officers but all of Texas law enforcement as he has fought tirelessly for their rights.
The stage lights are bright, the curtain is raised, and Sgt. Mike Mata is standing front and center to tell his amazing story of being a true difference maker in the city of Dallas.
Critical Incidents Discussed:
The tragedy of July 7th, 2016, that saw five officers murdered by a lone gunman.The Dallas Chief Hall administration.The Dallas Police pension issues.September 6th, 2018, Dallas Texas shooting of Botham Jean.2020 George Floyd riots -
Stop Minding Your Own Business
***Trigger Warning: Death by Suicide conversation***
We want to ring in the New Year and welcome on the great Dallas Attorney Terry Bentley Hill to our ATO Family.
Terry turned her personal tragedy into a new mission in speaking on the very uncomfortable topic of a person taking their own life.
She can speak from the unique perspective of being someone left behind not once but twice in her life as both her former husband and 14-year-old daughter suffered from depression and died way too young.
Terry started her career in journalism, and she married Amarillo District Attorney Danny Hill who prosecuted some very high-profile cases and took on all of the pressure and anxiety that accompanies that role.
On Palm Sunday in 1995 The Hill family suffered tragedy as Danny’s battle with depression came to an end as he took his own life as the children slept and Terry was left as the sole parent to pick up the pieces to move forward.
Less than a decade later, in 2004, Terry’s 14-year-old daughter Hallie, who like her father suffered from depression, also died by suicide. Terry’s grief was compounded.
At the time of her daughter’s suicide, Hill was in law school at Texas Wesleyan University School of Law, where she earned her degree in 2008. Today, Hill practices criminal defense law in Dallas, Texas, is remarried, enjoys time with her family and dedicates much of her life to helping others dealing with mental health issues.
Now Terry’s mission is to keep people from minding their own business as she tells her story so that it will bring awareness and education to recognizing to the red flags that lead to this tragic loss of life. Also, her story can help understand the extreme grief and loss that can accompany the void that’s left in families.We also are thrilled to welcome on special guest cohosts Lt Lisette Rivera and new ATO License Professional Counselor, Johanna Wender. Johanna specializes in first responder trauma.
Terry Bentley Hill you have the ATO’s stage and our undivided attention.
Critical Incidents Discussed:
Palm Sunday 1995 in Amarillo Texas.
Terry’s husband, District Attorney Danny Hill, suffers death by suicide.
2004 Terry’s daughter, Hallie, passed away at the age of 14.
WWW.TERRYBENTLYHILL.COM
www.stopmindingyourownbusiness.org
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Merry Christmas ATO Family This message is from Kent, Joe, and two special guest cohosts in Sasha Kim and Omar Figueroa.
We are extremely grateful for our loyal listeners. We want to say thank you to some of our day one listeners and we want to give special mentions to some of the many folks that have reached out with inspiring messages.
This message we will talk about upcoming episodes and projects we have in store for 2024. This podcast wants to hear from our listeners for suggestions and feedback, good and bad, to sharpen our knives to get better and put out a better product for you.
Please contact us [email protected] if you have suggestions, complaints, or just want to say hi.
If you would like to donate to our cause and support both the Police and Fire Community, please go to ATODALLAS.ORG and donate.
Until next time…..Be safe and let’s take care of each other.
Joe.
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In Remembrance of James Lynn Baker II, A.K.A “Mr. Jackson”
”The Dallas SWAT saved my life”
This show takes pride in providing a variety of topics and guests and although we are all different, we are still human beings. We are flawed, we are complex, we are unique, and we all have the potential to serve at the highest levels. However, some of us take very different paths….dark paths, before we find our true calling.
Life for all of us is literally like a pot of boiling water and what we become in that water will determine and define who we become in this finite life.
Today’s guest will tell the listener how he became hooked on meth and traveled down a dark path that led him on a collision course and a date with destiny with our Dallas SWAT on July 30th, 2008.
The Uptown Dallas area was on high alert after several citizens were victimized as they not only lost their property but also their sense of security. Today’s guest was the ringleader of these crimes and was captured and sentenced to sixty-five years in the Texas Prison system.
In true Shawshank Redemption fashion this guest received help and guidance from the most unlikely of people as he was about to enter the ultra-hot boiling pot of prison life.
The coffee bean story was born and applied as today’s guest fought, learned, and grew as a person through his journey in the penal system and created a mission to help others and be a change agent as he shared his experience and story with others to try to inspire and motivate others.
The Damon West story has been told on many platforms and stages, all across the world, but never from a stage inside of the police department that changed his life fifteen years ago. ATO Family sit back and soak in the coffee bean story and ask yourself, How can I be a change agent in life?
Incidents discussed:
Damon West arrest by the Dallas SWAT Unit on July 30th, 2008, for the Uptown Burglaries.
Trial, verdict and sentence on May 18th, 2009, for his role in the crimes. Presiding over the proceedings was Judge Mike Snipes.
Dallas County jail to TDCJ from 2009- 2015.
Damonwest.org
The best-selling novel:
The Change Agent: How a Former College QB Sentenced to Life in Prison Transformed His World
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Welcome back ATO Family!
This episode has been a project since this show began as we finally tell the story of the attack on Dallas Police Headquarters on June 13th, 2015.
At approximately 12:30 am a suspect, driving an armored van, drove to police headquarters in Dallas Texas and planted bags containing pipe bombs and opened fire on the front of the building with an assault rifle. Several officers responded and were met with gunfire in the streets in front of headquarters and then led the police on a chase that would end in history being made in US law enforcement history with the method in which the threat was eliminated.
The episode will detail the tragedy from the 2013 arrest of the suspect to the events on June 13th, 2015, as he was eliminated by the use of a .50 caliber rifle, the first and only time this weapon platform has been used on a suspect in the United States.
This episode welcomes then Dallas SWAT members Jude Braun, Kent Wolverton, Danny Canete and Keith Rieg to the stage to give a play-by-play firsthand account of this incident and the significance in Dallas and US law enforcement history.
Guest List:
Jude Braun #5015
36 years with Dallas Police and served 33 years with Dallas SWAT. Jude has the reputation of being an expert on explosive breaching and spearheaded the rifle program on the Dallas Police Department. Braun is now retired.
Keith Rieg #6809
32 years with the Dallas Police Department and is still an active SWAT member after 24 years. Keith is a sniper and pulled the trigger of the .50 caliber rifle during this incident.
Kent Wolverton #8393
20 years with Dallas Police Department and served as supervisor in SWAT for nearly 7 years. Kent also commanded the Dallas K9 Unit and now is a supervisor in Narcotics.
Danny Canete #8834
17-year Dallas veteran with over 8 years in Dallas SWAT. Danny also was a member of the Dallas Narcotics Unit and the Southeast CRT.
Master Breacher Certified, Sniper and Less Lethal and Rope Master and instructor for High Angle Team as well rappel instructor for TTPOA.
Terms used in episode:
“Green Light”: Order giving by the Chief of Police authorizing operators to use deadly force to eliminate the threat.
Weapons used by the suspect:
Jennings JA-9 9mm handgun
Taurus Judge .45 caliber handgun
Savage Model 111 6.5/284 Norma with Redfield scope
Ruger 10/22 with Nikon scope
Stevens Model 320 Security 12 gauge pump
Pipe Bombs
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Today’s episode details a collaboration between two countries, The United States and Australia, that have the same goal in combating the flow of illicit drugs into their countries.
The Drug Enforcement Administration was formed in 1973, by the Nixon administration, for the war on drugs and over the years this administration has grown, evolved and they have been the countries leading experts on illicit narcotic sales that terrorize the globe.
The Western Australian Police Force, colloquially WAPOL, was formed in 1834 and provides police services to over 2.5 million citizens of Western Australia.
This story will detail how two countries formed a partnership and created a “pilot” program that sent two Detectives from WAPOL to the Dallas DEA Field Division for a 90-day special assignment to observe the DEA investigate cases in the United States.
After a strict selection process, WAPOL Detectives Benjamin Willian Cox and David Joseph Gilliland were sent to the Dallas Texas to work under Special Agent in Charge Eduardo Chavez and Special Agent Guy Baker.
SAC Chavez leads the DEA Dallas Field Division.
Detectives Cox and Gilliland joined the amazing Strike Force Group to immerse themselves in long term investigations so that both groups can learn from each other in detective styles, techniques and case managing.
Longtime Dallas Narcotics Task Force member, David Roach #9150, took the mates under his wing to show them all that Dallas and the great state of Texas has to offer in narcotics and violence.
Enjoy this different type of episode as we bridge two countries that have common goals in making their home a better and safer place for their people.
Episode Guest List:
Detective Superintendent John Hutchison
Superintendent Hutchison spearheaded this initiative and oversees the Serious Organised Crime Squad in WAPOL. He started in WAPOL in 1986 and became a Detective Sgt in 1992 and has served as a Detective in several positions including covert undercover unit, drug and organized crime investigations and in 2022 he started a TSOC Squad to build the capabilities of the Western Australian Police Force.
DEA Special Agent in Charge Eduardo Chavez
SAC Chavez leads the DEA Dallas Field Division that oversees daily operations in the North Texas Region and the entire state of Oklahoma.
SAC Chávez began his career with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in the San Francisco Field Division in 2000 as a Special Agent assigned to the Bakersfield, California, Resident Office. During this period in the Central Valley of California, SAC Chávez conducted numerous complex conspiracy and undercover operations where his fluent Spanish and upbringing along the U.S.-México border allowed him to infiltrate several Mexican Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs).
DEA Assistant Special Agent Guy Baker
I met Guy as I learned he enjoyed listening to this podcast and he prefers to be a behind the scenes operator and does not like the limelight however I want the listener to know this episode would not have happened without Guy. He commands the respect of his peers and has dedicated his life to the DEA. I am honored to have met him.
Guy has over 25 years with the DEA and is keen and outspoken in the fact that Fentanyl is one of the globes most dangerous crisis.
Dallas Police Narcotics DEA Task Force Detective David Roach #9150
David has gravitated to enforcing narcotics going back to working in God’s Country, the Southeast Division, when he started as a rookie officer. David’s proactive talents and knack for natural street instincts as pure police was noticed by all as he spent several years in uniformed positions on assignments that allowed him to showcase his talents. Detective Roach was assigned to the Dallas Narcotics Division and quickly joined the Narcotics Lab Unit then was hand picked to be a member of the DEA Task Force. David is a friend, respected and loyal team member and is bulldog of a Detective that is relentless in building cases on some of the most violent traffickers in the metroplex.
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