The Brighter Side of Blue Podcast

From the basement studio at Colombo’s Café & Tavern in Dogtown, we kick off with a powerful true story from JJ—about spotting a familiar face from his childhood, Tim Osborne, living under a downtown overpass… and how a bunch of Melville grads, a good Samaritan named Ken Stevenson, and a whole lot of hustle got Tim off the street and back on his feet. It’s the Brighter Side of Blue in action.Then we sit down with Victor Failoni and Joey Meiners—son and grandson of Alex Sr. & Rosemary Failoni—to peel back the 100+ year story of Failoni’s Bar & Restaurant. From an Ellis Island start in 1916, steel-mill shifts at Scullin, and a $9,700 leap of faith… to Thursday night sing-alongs, the legendary Round Table, Rose’s kitchen revival, and the family recipe that became Uncle Leo’s Pizza—this is pure St. Louis.In this episode:JJ’s viral-worthy rescue: finding Tim, rallying help, and securing housingFailoni’s origin story and the “Manchester Mile”Police friendships and why Failoni’s became a cop-friendly home baseThursday nights: from accordion to Sinatra to Black Eyed PeasHow Uncle Leo’s Pizza was born—and why the dough is still made freshKeeping a neighborhood institution alive for the next 100 yearsIf you love St. Louis history, neighborhood legends, and real community, hit play. Like,  comment, and  share to help the show grow!Subscribe so you never miss an episode of The Brighter Side of Blue.#StLouis #Dogtown #Failonis #UncleLeosPizza #LawEnforcement #Community #Podcast #STLHistory

They worked the streets. They built the cases. In this episode of The Brighter Side of Blue, retired narcotics legends Tommy Murphy and Det. Leo Rice join the crew to reveal their picks for the top dope men in St. Louis of an era — names that dominated the streets, headlines, and federal dockets from the 1990s through the 2010s.From wiretaps to Winnebagos, car chases to courtrooms, and murders to million-dollar busts, Murphy and Rice take us inside some of the most unforgettable narcotics investigations ever to hit the STL.And of course, no episode like this would be complete without mentioning the legendary duo “Tommy & Tommy” — Tommy Murphy and Tommy Llewellyn — whose work shaped an entire era of major narcotics enforcement in St. Louis.⏱ Guest interview begins at 36:52It’s the ultimate double-entendre episode — the best dope men, chosen by the best dope men-catchers.🎧 Watch, like, comment, and share to keep these stories — and St. Louis law enforcement history — alive.#TBSOB #StLouis #Narcotics #DopeGame #TrueCrime #PoliceStories #TommyAndTommy #BrighterSideOfBlue #STLHistory #DrugWars #OldSchoolCops #StLouisPride

The Brighter Side of Blue crew—Danny, Tommy, JJ, and Producer John—teed up a phenomenal sit-down with retired STL legends Tom Carroll and Jeff Stone. Partners for ~18 years (with at least 16 in Homicide), they take us back to the now-defunct 7th District—the West Side beat where they cut their teeth in uniform, sharpened their instincts in the bureau, and lived the stories that shaped a generation of cops.We dig into the neighborhoods, the tempo, and the players: the Horseshoe Posse, B.O.D. (Boys of Destruction), Sanchez “Psych” Smotherman, and Tron Hall—plus the kind of patrol-night chaos you can’t script (including a runaway dumpster barreling toward a brand-new squad). It’s gritty, fast, and funny—brotherhood and gallows humor intact—while we save the Homicide cases for a future part two.We also open the show with a few notes from the week—remembering the Navy’s birthday, community shout-outs, and a somber tribute to a fallen Missouri officer. Because for us, the stories live on, and the sacrifices are remembered.#TheBrighterSideOfBlue #STLPodcast #StLouisHistory #SLMPD #7thDistrict #Horseshoe #WestSideSTL #TrueCrime #PoliceStories #HomicideUnit #StreetCops #LawEnforcement #UrbanHistory #GangEra #PodcastEpisodeHashtags

Retired SLMPD Sgt. Tom Lake and Detective Jeff Stege walk us through the chaotic 24 hours that began with a South City carjacking, a murdered locksmith, and a suspect named George Bush—and ended with Sgt. Lake being ambushed at a red light and a city-wide hunt to stop a violent spree killer. Lake recounts the shooting, the scramble for help, and the aftermath; Stege lays out the investigative breadcrumb trail from Scanlan Ave. to the takedown. It’s brotherhood, black humor, and raw truth—told by the cop who lived it and the detective who chased it.

This week’s episode of The Brighter Side of Blue has it all — from off-the-wall laughs to hard-hitting cases.We kick things off with one of our trademark chaotic openings (yes, it gets rowdy fast 😅) before settling in with Sunset Hills Police Lt. Brad Rainey and Det. Sgt. John Piesker. Together, we dive into the unforgettable summer of 2015, when Sunset Hills saw two murders in just one week — the disappearance and killing of Linda McLaughlin, and the tragic homicide of Terry Tobey.Rainey and Piesker share what it was like to investigate two major cases back-to-back in a city often labeled “Candyland.” You’ll hear behind-the-scenes details, lessons learned, and the realities of police work when tragedy strikes even the quietest communities.It’s classic Brighter Side of Blue — unpredictable laughs, serious storytelling, and a look at both the humor and heart in law enforcement.

Former FBI agent Frank Brostrom takes us inside two headline-making cases with surprising St. Louis links:The 1993 kidnapping of Kevyn Wynn, daughter of casino mogul Steve Wynn—how the ransom drop played out, how the suspects were tracked, and the St. Louis surveillance that helped close the case.The stolen Norman Rockwell painting “Russian Schoolroom”—missing for decades after a Clayton gallery heist and later discovered in an A-list collection, sparking a battle over provenance and recovery.#BrighterSideOfBlue #FBI #TrueCrime #KidnappingCase #KevynWynn #SteveWynn #LasVegasCrime #NormanRockwell #ArtHeist #StolenArt #LawEnforcementStories #BehindTheBadge #TrueCrimePodcast #StLouis

In this episode of The Brighter Side of Blue, we are joined by retired St. Louis legends Tony Rask (37 years) and Tony Lachenicht (36 years) to relive their time in the 3rd District—one of the busiest, toughest, and most memorable assignments in the city.From high-speed car chases on icy streets to the chaos of the projects, the guys share wild stories of characters like Sleepy and the notorious Seahorse family. They dive into what patrol life was really like, the bonds formed on nightwatch, the softball rivalries that kept things competitive, and the legendary mentors who shaped a generation of cops.These are just a few of the stories from the 3rd District—many more are still to come.#BrighterSideOfBlue #PolicePodcast #StLouis #TrueCrime #3rdDistrict #LawEnforcement

A police family with three unsolved homicides. In this powerful episode, we sit down with Charlyn O’Brien to revisit the killings of her grandmother (1952) and her brothers Brady (1990) and Kelty (2008)—all still cold. Former FBI Special Agent–turned–PI Frank Brostrom joins us to walk through what’s known, what was missed, and why fresh tips now could finally crack these cases.You’ll hear:The 1952 robbery-murder of Charlotte’s grandmother and the eyewitness account that survived with herBrady O’Brien’s last night, the party, and the chase that ended in a brutal attack—plus the 2020 tip that reshaped the timelineKelty O’Brien’s 2008 early-morning ambush near work and why investigators believe it was a targeted, possibly for-hire hitHow retired legends from STL homicide and prosecutors are re-reviewing leads todayThe O’Brien family’s resilience—Mark O’Brien’s service, health fight, and the community that still rallies around themKnow something—anything—about Brady or Kelty’s cases?Call CrimeStoppers: 866-371-TIPS (8477). Tips are routed to Frank and vetted with local/state/federal partners. Even a small detail or something you heard years ago could move this forward.🎧 Hosts: Danny, Tommy, JJ & Producer John📍 Recorded in St. Louis • “The Brighter Side of Blue”#TrueCrime #ColdCase #StLouis #JusticeForBrady #JusticeForKelty #LawEnforcement #BrighterSideOfBlue

This week we take it back to the 90s and early 2000s—when St. Louis’ 5th District was lit up with gangs, dope sets, and street violence. Our guests, Joe Crews, Billy Noonan, and Tony Boone, were right in the middle of it.💀 Murders.😂 Funny moments.💊 Dope houses.👊 Gangsters.They saw it all—and now they’re telling the stories.But let’s talk setups:Billy Noonan coming in hot from rural Missouri, American flag flapping proudly while he chain-smokes like it’s a competitive sport.Tony Boone dialing in from the cab of his 18-wheeler, rolling down some lonely Nebraska backroad.Joe Crews showed up in-person… but not to some sterile studio—he joined us in the basement of a bar, the only place fitting for a trip down memory lane through the 5th District.It’s gritty. It’s raw. It’s entertaining. #PolicePodcast #StreetStories #TrueCrimePodcast #StLouis #STLCrime #CopLife #StoriesFromTheStreet #PodcastLife

In this gripping episode, we sit down with Luke Adler, a 27-year veteran of the US Marshals Service and author of Chasing Bandits. Born and raised in St. Louis, Adler’s story is anything but ordinary. From a childhood in a troubled home and a wild season working with traveling carnivals, to becoming a Marine Recon and later one of America’s most relentless manhunters—Luke shares it all.He opens up about his early brushes with the St. Louis mob, the life lessons that shaped him, and the pursuit of justice that led him into some of the most dangerous missions of his career, including the infamous Ruby Ridge standoff. Along the way, you’ll hear unforgettable stories—like the time he hunted down a meth-dealing mall “Santa Claus.”Packed with raw honesty, dark humor, and behind-the-scenes insights from decades in law enforcement, this conversation is a ride through survival, service, and justice.

Retired FBI Agent Frank Brostrom shares three of his wildest cases — going undercover as a hitman in a St. Louis murder-for-hire sting, tracking a fugitive who tried to ram his in-laws’ house with a gasoline-filled car bomb, and working the 1996 Atlanta Olympic bombing where quick action and a twist of fate saved lives.From undercover stings to domestic terror investigations, these are the kinds of cases you don’t see in the movies.

In tonight’s episode, we dive into the viral video that’s making headlines—our very own host, JJ, at the center of controversy after removing a fan from a soccer game for wearing a Make America Great Again hat.We’ll also uncover the rise of a terrifying new drug stronger than fentanyl—ISO—now creeping into the Midwest.Plus, a wild case that began in St. Louis and ended in California with murder arrests tied to the illicit manufacturing of marijuana extract, resulting in the deaths of five lab workers.All that and more—don’t miss it.

In this episode, former DEA Deputy Administrator Jack Riley takes us back to the gritty streets of late-1980s Chicago, where drugs, dirty cops, and the notorious Chicago Outfit ruled the shadows. Riley recounts an explosive investigation that exposed officers like Nick Rosado and Nedrick Miller—sworn to uphold the law, but instead working hand-in-hand with organized crime. With the help of daring undercover cocaine buys, relentless surveillance, and wiretaps, the case blew wide open, leading to the downfall of more than 30 players in the city’s criminal underworld, including corrupt cops, jail officials, judges, and even councilmen.

Join us for an inspiring look into Officer Nathan Spiess’s extraordinary journey of resilience and recovery.Nathan recounts the harrowing incident on March 17, 2025, when he was struck by a vehicle while pursuing a carjacking suspect on foot—an accident that led to the amputation of his right leg below the knee. He also reflects on a prior traumatic event from 2022, when he and his partner, Officer Collin Ledbetter, were both shot while chasing a murder suspect. Ledbetter nearly lost his life in the exchange, while Nathan sustained a gunshot wound to his left leg that required multiple surgeries.This episode explores Nathan’s physical and emotional recovery from both incidents, including his struggle with survivor’s guilt, and his determination to return to duty.Support pours in from across the community, including heartfelt messages from Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe, Blues legend Chris Pronger, Head Coach Jim Montgomery, and Goalie Jordan Binnington, all rallying behind Nathan as he pushes through rehab and works toward resuming his role in law enforcement.

Cassandra Harvey and her son, Joshua Harvey, of Festus MO who were the owners of Miracle Cleaning Products Inc, were the central figures of Operation WEBSLINGER, the DEA's most significant national investigation to date targeting a prolific trafficking organization distributing GHB, GBL and 1-4 BD, all of which can be used as date rape drugs. This operation developed evidence sufficient to convict the Harvey's and other traffickers with using the internet and the anonymity of cyberspace to distribute these dangerous drugs. Through this investigation, DEA was able to track these predatory drugs and their analogues from legitimate chemical wholesalers to the Harvey’s, who then packaged the drugs for both wholesale and retail distribution. Through this international investigation DEA was able to bring charges against 175 individuals in North America and Europe and to slow the spread of these highly dangerous controlled substances.

Unlike many confidential informants, Andrew did not start out with working off a case. In 1984, Andrew walked into the St. Louis DEA building to inquire about being an agent against the war on drugs. Andrew did not qualify to be because he did not have a college degree but he left still wanting to be involved. He came back later that day with his first case. The first day, Andrew met Special Agent Michele Leonhart who would later become the DEA Administrator. He would also meet the future Head of Operations. These relationships would last decades and result in some eye popping numbers which are told during the show. Andrew worked with many agencies in many different cities.

Former DEA Deputy Administrator Jack Riley discusses the rise of the Sinaloa cartel and El Chapo in the US, starting in Chicago in the early 80s. The Flores twins grew up in Chicago and followed their fathers footsteps as part of the Sinaloa cartel. The twins emerged as a money making machine for El Chapo until they decided to turn themselves into DEA in 2008. Their cooperation resulted in over 50 indictments of high ranking cartel members.

Former US Atty Mike Fagan recalls the investigation of Jerry Lewis-Bey and his 8 co-defendants which culminated in a 7 1/2 month trial. The trial is the longest trial in the history of St. Louis. Mike recalls several murders and the drug dealing of the organization

Det. Wasem recalls some of his memorable arrests. 2:30 the arrest of Stephan Cannon, who was later convicted of killing Capt. David Dorn15:00 the arrest of Myron Kimble, who was the mastermind behind the ATM Solutions robbery where over $6 million was taken28:50 the arrest of 2 bank robbers33:20 lying in the weeds all day...for a bag a weed😮41:00 the arrest of Michael Glover, numerous guns and a large amount of money

We are joined by prominent St. Louis defense attorney Scott Rosenblum. We discuss some courtroom battles over the years. Scott talks about how he got started. We discuss some of his clients and cases over the years, including members mentioned in our BMF series and other episodes. We also discuss the respect and decorum that comes with being friends and foes.