On Being a Police Officer

Ep. 86 - Tristin Kilgallon, a former warrant investigator with the Philly Warrant Unit joins me for a no-holds-barred look at the world of fugitive apprehension in one of the country’s toughest cities.Our conversation is based on Tristin’s book Philly Warrant Unit which he co-authored with his partner and lifelong friend Sgt. Mark Fusetti. They were part of a three-man team working “last out” – an 11:00 pm to 7:00 am shift. They were assigned priority cases like probation detainers and judge-only bench warrants but also had the freedom to choose where in the city they wanted to work and which cases to pursue.One of those areas was Kensington, one of Philly’s most famous and infamous neighborhoods. It was the setting for the Rocky movies as well as a real-life zombie land of the drug addicted, an area rife not only with drugs but also prostitution and violence.The people Tristin and his partners encountered ranged from dangerous criminals to those whose lives had been destroyed by addiction. Their stories can be funny and bizarre, but more often than not, incredibly sad. We talk about the revolving door of the legal system and what it’s like to repeatedly arrest the same people, only to see them back on the street.We also get into tactics. When you’re doing some of the most dangerous work in law enforcement, tactics – as those of you listening know - can mean the difference between life and death. Tristin takes us inside the process of clearing a house, searching for suspects and the art of breaching. And we cover the unique – and I mean unique – places fugitives found to hide including refrigerators, washing machines, storage bins and more.After leaving the Warrant Unit, Tristin earned his law degree and went on to teach criminal justice at the university level for 15 years. That part of his career leads to another important conversation—one I also had in Ep. 80 with retired SFPD Deputy Chief Jim Dudley, host of Policing Matters: the influence of criminal justice professors and the anti-cop narrative many are teaching to the next generation.The interview, like the book is a fascinating look inside a specialized unit that most people know very little about.Thank you, Tristin!Buy the book on Amazon!Check out the Facebook page for the book:https://www.facebook.com/PhillyWarrantUnitConnect with Tristin:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tristin-kilgallon-2a99a23b8/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tristinkilgallon/X:@tmkilgallon https://x.com/tmkilgallonConnect with Sgt. Mark Fusetti co-author on X:@MarkFusetti XIn Memoriam:Sgt. Joseph Eugene LeClaire, Jr.First Judicial District of Pennsylvania Warrant UnitE.O.W. Friday, March 19, 2004Thank you for your service and your sacrifice. You are not forgotten.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_officerFacebook: On Being a Police OfficerAbby@Ellsworthproductions.comwww.onbeingapoliceofficer.com©Abby Ellsworth. All booking, interviews, editing, and production by Abby Ellsworth. Music courtesy of freesound.org

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 NolanEp. 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 TwoThank you 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_officerFacebook: On Being a Police OfficerAbby@Ellsworthproductions.comwww.onbeingapoliceofficer.com©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 CuestaE.O.W. Sunday, August 9, 1998You 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.Find me on my social or email me your thoughts:Instagram: on_being_a_police_officerFacebook: On Being a Police OfficerAbby@Ellsworthproductions.comwww.onbeingapoliceofficer.com©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. 77https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/on-being-a-police-officer/id1532102404?i=1000730846623 Dallas PD Child Abuse Detective Kristin King Ep. 79https://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_officerFacebook: On Being a Police Officer [email protected]©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 McPheeIn remembrance of your service and sacrifice:Officer Sean CollierMIT Police DepartmentE.O.W. Thursday, April 18, 2013Sgt. Dennis SimmondsBoston Police DepartmentE.O.W. Thursday, April 10, 2014Thanks 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_officerFacebook: On Being a Police OfficerAbby@Ellsworthproductions.comwww.onbeingapoliceofficer.com©Abby Ellsworth. All booking, interviews, editing, and production by Abby Ellsworth. Music courtesy of freesound.org