ATO: BRIDGING THE DIVIDE

*****Trigger Warning*****

This episode discusses the tragic incident on February 13th, 2021, when a drunk driver hit and killed Dallas Police Officer, Mitchell Penton. 

Today, we sit down with a genuinely good man, a proud Texan, and a Dallas detective who has carried more than most people will ever know—Detective Conner Smith. His journey would take him into the middle of a natural catastrophe and, later, to the scene of an unimaginable tragedy as he responded to a fallen Dallas officer. Those moments leave a mark. Some wounds cannot be seen, and some memories never truly leave us.

But tragedy does not define who we are. Sometimes, it changes us. Sometimes, it breaks us open and forces us to discover a purpose we never knew we had. Conner’s story is a raw and deeply personal look at what happens when trauma is carried in silence—how it can slowly consume the mind, the heart, and the person behind the badge. But this is also a story about courage. The courage to admit you are hurting. The courage to ask for help. And the courage to believe that healing is still possible.

Alongside his wife, Kayla, Conner takes us beyond the badge and into the moments that changed him forever. This is not a story about tragedy. It is a story about what comes after it—and the strength it takes to stand back up, find your purpose, and become a source of hope for someone else who may be silently fighting the same battle.

 

Critical Incidents Discussed:

Hurricane Harvey August 2017

 

Dallas Police Officer Mitchell Penton

End of Watch: Saturday, February 13, 2021

Officer Mitchell Penton was struck and killed by a vehicle operated by an intoxicated driver at about 1:45 am.

He was working at the scene of a vehicle collision in the northbound lanes of the North Central Expressway at Walnut Hill Lane. He was securing traffic with the emergency lights from his patrol car when a vehicle driven by an intoxicated driver, traveling at a high rate of speed, hit the back of his patrol car. The collision pushed the patrol car into Officer Penton.

Officer Penton was transported to Baylor University Medical Center when he died from his injuries.

 

When Dallas calls, the men and women of the Dallas Police Department step forward. They leave behind their families, embrace the unknown, and run toward the moments most people spend their lives hoping to avoid. They do so with courage forged through sacrifice, a commitment tested by every shift, and a promise to protect a city that depends on them.

Behind every patrol car, every detective's investigation, every tactical operation, and every specialized unit is a team of professionals whose dedication forms the backbone of one of America's most historic police departments.

In this limited series, Dallas Police Chief Daniel Comeaux sits down alongside the officers, investigators, and specialists who answer that call every day. Together, they pull back the curtain on the units, the missions, the challenges, and the victories that define modern policing in Dallas. Through candid conversations and firsthand stories, viewers will experience the people behind the badge and the unwavering commitment that drives them to serve.

These are the stories of those who answer when Dallas calls—because protecting Dallas is more than a profession. It is a calling.

Today we sit down with Mariana (Mari) Cartas-Santiago of South Central Patrol. Dallas Patrol is the backbone of the Dallas Police Department and Mari is one of the bright new stars of DPD.

When Dallas calls, the men and women of the Dallas Police Department step forward. They leave behind their families, embrace the unknown, and run toward the moments most people spend their lives hoping to avoid. They do so with courage forged through sacrifice, a commitment tested by every shift, and a promise to protect a city that depends on them.

Behind every patrol car, every detective's investigation, every tactical operation, and every specialized unit is a team of professionals whose dedication forms the backbone of one of America's most historic police departments.

In this limited series, Dallas Police Chief Daniel Comeaux sits down alongside the officers, investigators, and specialists who answer that call every day. Together, they pull back the curtain on the units, the missions, the challenges, and the victories that define modern policing in Dallas. Through candid conversations and firsthand stories, viewers will experience the people behind the badge and the unwavering commitment that drives them to serve.

These are the stories of those who answer when Dallas calls—because protecting Dallas is more than a profession. It is a calling.

Today we sit down with Vice Detective Rebecca Mack

When Dallas calls, the men and women of the Dallas Police Department step forward. They leave behind their families, embrace the unknown, and run toward the moments most people spend their lives hoping to avoid. They do so with courage forged through sacrifice, a commitment tested by every shift, and a promise to protect a city that depends on them.

Behind every patrol car, every detective's investigation, every tactical operation, and every specialized unit is a team of professionals whose dedication forms the backbone of one of America's most historic police departments.

In this limited series, Dallas Police Chief Daniel Comeaux sits down alongside the officers, investigators, and specialists who answer that call every day. Together, they pull back the curtain on the units, the missions, the challenges, and the victories that define modern policing in Dallas. Through candid conversations and firsthand stories, viewers will experience the people behind the badge and the unwavering commitment that drives them to serve.

These are the stories of those who answer when Dallas calls—because protecting Dallas is more than a profession. It is a calling.

Today we sit with a representative of the great Mounted Unit, Tracy Morgan.

When Dallas calls, the men and women of the Dallas Police Department step forward. They leave behind their families, embrace the unknown, and run toward the moments most people spend their lives hoping to avoid. They do so with courage forged through sacrifice, a commitment tested by every shift, and a promise to protect a city that depends on them.

Behind every patrol car, every detective's investigation, every tactical operation, and every specialized unit is a team of professionals whose dedication forms the backbone of one of America's most historic police departments.

In this limited series, Dallas Police Chief Daniel Comeaux sits down alongside the officers, investigators, and specialists who answer that call every day. Together, they pull back the curtain on the units, the missions, the challenges, and the victories that define modern policing in Dallas. Through candid conversations and firsthand stories, viewers will experience the people behind the badge and the unwavering commitment that drives them to serve.

These are the stories of those who answer when Dallas calls—because protecting Dallas is more than a profession. It is a calling.

Today we sit with Homicide Sergeant Eric Hearn of the Dallas Homicide Unit to highlight this historic unit.

Some of life's greatest lessons are not learned in classrooms—they are forged in locker rooms, tested on the battlefield of competition, and refined through the responsibility of leading others.

In this powerful episode of Geaux Time with Chief Comeaux, Dallas Police Chief Daniel Comeaux unveils the philosophy behind his new book, The Active Sport of Leadership, exploring the many dimensions of leadership through the universal language of sports.

From building championship cultures to developing resilient teams, Chief Comeaux reveals why leadership is not a position to hold, but an active pursuit that demands discipline, sacrifice, accountability, and the courage to inspire others to become more than they believed possible.

Joining him as co-host is five-time Super Bowl Champion and NFL Hall of Famer Charles Haley, whose extraordinary career was defined by an unrelenting pursuit of greatness and an uncompromising standard of excellence.

Together, they draw striking parallels between the gridiron and the front lines of leadership, sharing hard-earned lessons on perseverance, culture, and the immeasurable value of mentorship. This is more than a conversation about winning championships or writing books—it's an exploration of how true leaders build legacies by shaping people, creating purpose, and inspiring the next generation to carry the torch long after the final whistle has blown.

To purchase The Active Sport of Leadership go to :

https://www.dccbooks.com/

 

We are honored to continue hosting out of town guests with Kansas DPS Superintendent, Erik Smith.

Erik Smith’s journey into public service began in 1991 behind the headset of a dispatcher in south-central Kansas, where every call for help reinforced the weight of responsibility and the value of calm under pressure.

In 1993, he stepped into the streets as a deputy with the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office, building a reputation through years of service in patrol, investigations, a DEA Task Force, and ultimately in supervisory leadership.

In 2002, he earned the badge of a DEA Special Agent, embarking on a career that spanned Minneapolis, Wichita, Kansas City, Washington, D.C., Houston—where he served alongside Dallas Police Chief Daniel Comeaux—and finally DEA Headquarters.

Rising to the agency's highest levels of leadership, he retired in 2023 as Assistant Administrator and Chief Inspector, closing one remarkable chapter only to begin another.

That same year, the Governor of Kansas appointed him to her Cabinet as Superintendent of the Kansas Highway Patrol, entrusting him with leading one of the state's premier law enforcement agencies. His career is a testament to a simple truth: leadership is not defined by the position one holds, but by the lives one influences and the legacy one leaves behind.

Critical incidents discussed:   

• May 12, 1991 – Deputy Chris Willems
• January 8, 1996 – Deputy Kevin Easter
• April 18, 1997 – Sergeant Ken Snider 
• November 4, 2000 – Sergeant Jack Galvan
• September 28, 2009 – Deputy Brian Etheridge
• Creating the LODD/FA team in 2025 that ended up working 4 LODD in Kansas in 2025

Today we are honored to give the stage to DCAC Dianna Walsh Smoot, the daughter of trailblazing Dallas Police Lt Bill Walsh.

For thirty-five years, the Dallas Children's Advocacy Center has stood as a guardian for society's most vulnerable victims, serving as a steadfast bulwark against the darkness of child abuse and neglect.

Through compassion, advocacy, and an unwavering commitment to justice, the Center has provided a safe haven where children find their voices, families find hope, and offenders are held accountable. For more than three decades, its dedicated professionals, partners, and supporters have formed a protective shield around countless children, ensuring that no child has to face trauma alone.

As the organization marks thirty-five years of service, its legacy is measured not only in the lives it has protected, but in the futures it has restored—standing watch as a beacon of hope, healing, and courage for generations of children across North Texas.

In this episode, Dianna Smoot shares that remarkable legacy while reflecting on the evolution of the internationally renowned Crimes Against Children Conference.

What began as a modest gathering of professionals committed to protecting children has grown into the largest conference of its kind in the world, bringing together investigators, prosecutors, child advocates, medical professionals, and educators from across the globe.

The conference stands as a testament to Dallas' leadership in the fight against child abuse and exploitation, fostering collaboration, innovation, and a shared mission to safeguard children everywhere.

Through Dianna's perspective, we explore how a small meeting became a global movement—and how the work of protecting children continues to unite thousands in the pursuit of justice, healing, and hope.

If you would like more info on the DCAC please go to:

Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center - Help Protect Children

If you would like to donate to the DCAC mission please go to:

Ways to Donate - Dallas Children's Advocacy Center

Every badge carries a story, but few careers have traveled the path of Chief Clay Morris. In this episode, we sit down with the Chief of Police of Hoover, Alabama, and journey through a life dedicated to service, sacrifice, and leadership.

Raised in a family steeped in law enforcement tradition, Morris joined the DEA in 1995 and was soon sent to the streets of Dallas, Texas, where the war on drugs was raging and every operation carried the potential for danger.

From high-stakes narcotics investigations and split-second decisions to the leadership challenges that would define his career, Morris recounts the moments that tested his resolve and shaped the man behind the badge. He also reflects on finding himself at the center of one of Dallas' most publicized investigations involving a Dallas police officer and former NFL starMichael Irvin.

But this story is about more than arrests, seizures, and close calls. It is a story of brotherhood, perseverance, growth, and answering a calling greater than oneself.

Join us as we explore the remarkable life, career, and legacy of Chief Clay Morris—a journey from the front lines of federal law enforcement to the chief's office, and the lessons learned along the way.

This is a special bonus episode as we say goodbye to our incredible friend and co creator of the show Danny Canete #8834.

I wanted Danny, and the listeners to get to hear what some of the many people said about getting to work with Danny and share this wild life and career at Dallas PD.

I am a big believer in that your reputation isn’t what you think of yourself but what others think of you and how you impacted their life.

There are so many stories, so many laughs, tears, and incredible moments that make up a twenty year career.

Love you buddy, take care of yourself and that beautiful family.

Below is just one of the many unique stories and inside peeks inside Danny’s family and life.

Dan Canete was born and raised in the Philippines. Dan had lived on the island of Leyte during WWII. He had experienced Japanese Zeros and guerrilla warfare in the jungles and MacArthur landing on the island.

He married Evelyn Senit and had a son, Allen. He immigrated (legally) from the Philippines to the US with their four year old son, Allen, in 1963. Four years later their daughter Lisa was born. They lived on both coasts pursuing advanced education for Dan. He earned his doctorate in psychology and became a college professor. Later in life he liked to be called

"Doc Dan". Along many other talents he was a musician. He loved the USA and all it gave to him and his family. In their retired years they finally settled in Corpus Christi, Texas where a strong community of Filipino families lived and churched

Allen married Kim. Their first child was a son. They named him after both his grandfathers, Daniel James. He has always been known as Danny.

Danny's grandmother, Evelyn, died in 2019.

His grandfather, Daniel, called Lolo by his family, decided to remain in his home in Corpus Christi.

In 2020 the US suffered not only the onslaught of Covid but also the George Floyd riots.

As a Senior Corporal with Dallas SWAT, Danny and his team had been running for days and weeks through the city of Dallas protecting the city from the riots.

On June 14 Lolo called the ambulance because he was not feeling well. He died of Covid June 17.

As soon as he learned his father was sick Allen had booked flights and was headed to Texas from South Dakota. Lolo died before he could get there. Allen continued down to Corpus Christi to take care of immediate needs. He spent Father's Day writing his dad's obituary.

On July 25, 2020 Hurricane Hanna (Danny's daughter is named Hannah) swept through Corpus Christi.

Allen and Kim had driven down to Dallas. Allen's sister, Lisa, and her life partner, Scott, had left their Manhattan apartment for the first time since Covid hit and flew into Dallas.

In Dallas Danny joined his mom and dad and aunt and uncle. They all drove down to Corpus Christi on July 26 to close up and put Lolo's house up for sale. They drove through a torrential rainstorm.

Once in Corpus Christi they all checked into a hotel then they all piled into one car and headed over to Lolo's house.

Allen had gotten into the house in June. But, they were unsure if the garage could be opened.

As Allen and Scott messed with the garage door Danny jumped out of the car and walked up to the front. Kim thought he was going to try the front door. But, no.

Lolo had a tall flagpole where he had displayed his American flag. The flag was in a wet heap on the ground.

Danny went over to pick it up.

So much came together in that moment.

The immigrant grandfather, so patriotic, and so very proud of his grandson, dies of Covid.

The namesake grandson stepping back from policing riots of people spewing hate for the USA to say good-bye and give his grandfather and his country the respect they deserved.

 

Since being hired by the Dallas Police Department in 1985, Officer Jon Lumbley has dedicated his life to serving people in their darkest moments.

From helping victims of family violence find safety, strength, and hope, to now standing beside the families of fallen officers as they face unimaginable grief, his career has never been about recognition — it has been about compassion. For decades, he has carried the weight of other people’s pain while quietly becoming a source of comfort and stability when lives are forever changed.

In moments where families feel lost in shock, heartbreak, and overwhelming emotion, Jon becomes a lighthouse in the storm — steady, selfless, and present when people need someone most.

His legacy is not only found in the cases he worked or the years he served, but in the countless lives he helped carry through tragedy when they could no longer stand on their own.

Today’s episode we take a look behind the curtain of a forty year life of service to the citizens of Dallas that now has extended to being that guiding light for officers families.

To tell this story we are happy to welcome his son, Jon, to the mic as a cohost.  

In memory of Terry Bacon 1950-2015

Today we welcome Mark Bacon back to the show to finally tell his story.

We last heard from Mark in episode 127, as we talked about our time together on the South East CRT, but this story puts the spotlight squarely on a very private man’s life. I have personally wanted to do his episode for years, but Mark being Mark, did not want to come on to talk about himself.

Sgt Bacon takes us about to growing up in Missouri, country life, and his path to gaining a love and respect for the law enforcement profession. Marks LE journey started in Missouri, and he quickly developed a work ethic and passion that he would eventually come to Dallas Pd.

 

Dallas PD Assignments:

Patrol

Operation Disruption

Southeast CRT

Narcotics: Street Squads, Lab Unit

Creator of the Overdose Squad

Promotion of Sgt: Patrol, CRT, Sgt of Overdose Squad, Dallas Mayors Detail

As you can see the man is successful and this is just noting his professional side with DPD.

Mark is much more than his amazing police work and leadership, he is an even better father, husband, and friend.

 

FINALLY……The life of Sgt Mark Bacon

We are back for another Geaux Time with the Chief and we want to recap Chief’s first year at the helm of the ninth largest Police Department in the United States.

Chief talks about the many proactive operations:

Operation Justice Trail

Operation Clean Sweep

Operation Safe Streets

New Investigative Warrant Unit

Hot Team

Recruiting boom

Sit back and listen to Chief Comeaux reflect back on year one in Big D and what is in store for year two.

Finally, we have talked long time show cohost Kent Wolverton to sit in the hot seat to talk about his life and career.

You have heard him for years now give small peeks into his life, offer wise cracks, and hint at some struggles in his life and career.

This episode will have a much deeper look at who Kent Wolverton is as a person, professional, and friend.

He walks us through the beginning of his career in 2003, and we will dissect his first critical incident in 2005 that nearly ended his Dallas PD career.

Kent’s complex journey has many twists and turns that has built a level of resilience that he still works on to this day.

Sit back and take a rare closer look at one of the cohosts lives as he shows vulnerability and honesty in hopes others may use his story to help or inspire others.

Special guest cohost Dallas SWAT Matt Smith

 

Critical Incidents :

 

Sept 23, 2005, pedestrian struck: Kent was responding to cover officers in South Dallas and accidently struck a pedestrian with his police vehicle.

 

December 2005:

Discussion on two separate vehicle incidents that he was a part of.

Hostage Rescue on Bruton and High Crest while Sgt in SWAT.

2020 George Floyd Riots and aftermath.

 

Sitting down with Dallas Child Abuse detective Kristen King, we hear a story that begins in instability but unfolds into purpose.

Growing up in an unpredictable and difficult home, she learned early what it felt like to live without safety or certainty. Instead of letting that past define her limits, she allowed it to shape her mission.

Today, she channels that lived experience into fierce advocacy for children caught in abusive and neglectful environments, bringing both professional skill and personal understanding to every case she handles.

Her work is more than law enforcement — it is protection, empathy, and a promise to vulnerable children that their story does not end where it began.

Kristen has been a part of the show, as a cohost, since episode 7 and has offered thought provoking questions and insight to pull the very best story from the guest.

She is the twin sister of Episode 64, Gillian Ethridge, and wife of podcast host Joe King.

 

Danny Canete will lead this interview of Kristen.

 

Major Cases discussed:

 Murder of Cash Gernon 2021

 Murder of Susette James in 2023

 

We are honored to sit down with retired Dallas Homicide Detective Linda Erwin as she takes us down the aisles of history in the city and the department.

Linda Erwin didn’t just enter the homicide division of the Dallas Police Department — she changed it forever.

As the first woman in Dallas history to earn a place among its homicide detectives, she stepped across a line few believed a woman could cross. In an era when doors were closed and expectations were low, she walked into crime scenes, interrogation rooms, and command briefings determined not just to belong, but to excel.

Every case she worked carried more than evidence — it carried the weight of proving that courage, intellect, and relentless dedication know no gender.

Through grit and undeniable results, she reshaped what leadership looked like in one of policing’s toughest arenas.

Her badge, #2937, became more than metal; it became a symbol of possibility, paving the way for every woman who would follow her into the most challenging corners of law enforcement.

Homicide Detective Andrea Isom and Sgt. Kent Wolverton cohost.

 

Significant case discussed:

The curious case of American serial killer, Henry Lee Lucas. Linda was featured in Netflix the Confession Killer documentary.

Today we are proud to sit down with one of QT’s dedicated members, James Lollis, to talk about the organizations mission in giving back to the community.

Special guest cohost, Dallas Assistant Chief Jeremy Foy and ATO Chairman Joe Meno.

The Assist the Officer Foundation and the Dallas Police Department have partnered with Qt with one goal in mind: Making the Dallas Police the Department the best and making the City of Dallas the safest community.

QuikTrip began in 1958 and just opened their 1200^th store and has many more projects planned across Texas. Since its inception they have poured back into the communities by giving five percent, annually, in charitable donations.

Across the country, communities are facing rising levels of homelessness, addiction, youth violence and strained public safety systems.

This message from the hosts will detail this great company’s mission and highlight the many police agencies they have assisted.

 

Michael Junk, Public Affairs Manager

Lauren Sherry, Community Relations Manager

Matt Garcia, Cornerstone

 

Projects discussed:

• Reality Based Training Village to be constructed at the Dallas Basic Police Academy
• QT/Fusion partnership
• Donation of four new blocker trucks to the Dallas Police Department
• Homeward Bound

 

Today’s episode takes the listener back to our original mission in cultivating an environment to have the tough conversations that could inspires others to get help.

The marital partnership of Haley and Silver and their story is a true testament to companionship and resiliency as they both navigated the struggles of their relationship and the effects alcohol can take on a mind, body, and soul.

Join us in supporting Haley as she continues her journey of sobriety. By sharing her story, she’s not only reclaiming her own life, but opening the door for others who may be suffering in silence. Her courage to speak openly is a powerful reminder that healing is possible—and that no one has to walk this path alone.

 

Righteous Oaks

 

www.stonegatecenter.com

#sobriety

#reachout

Today we sit down with the Dallas Chief of Police for another episode, but this one comes with two special cohosts to guide this story. Class 406 recruits, Jeremy Delafuente and Casandra Palmer join Chief Comeaux to discuss their short time with the Department and what it means to them to be the future of the profession.

Casandra, growing up in Miami, did her research on where to serve and ultimately decided on calling Dallas her new home and her classmate, Jeremy, didn’t have to travel far to join DPD.

The Dallas Police Department has been in existence since 1881 and we have only had 31 Police Chiefs and so many great many men and women have put on our badge and served that never get to sit down with one of these Chiefs so we wanted to take a different approach to hear from the future of our Department and get their thoughts on how this journey is beginning for them and how we can continue to evolve our culture of excellency.

 Class 406 will graduate on February 27^th, 2026.

Today’s episode is very special to the podcast team as it lets us revisit some of the most fun and memorable times in our careers as we turned a little drug team into a family that created lifelong friends.

In 2010, Chief Brown, began an initiative that mandated all seven patrol substations in Dallas to create a street level knock and talk unit that had one mission, to curb the division level narcotic sales.

This is the story of when the Southeast CRT was created and how, over time, it turned into an effective team that gained a reputation, not only in the Department, but in the streets amongst the suspects they targeted.  

To tell this story we see Danny Canete, Sgt. Mark Bacon, and new Ranger Master Sgt. Candelaria return ot the mic to talk about their experiences and growth while working on this team. We will give an inside look at the laughs, the frustrations, close calls, and brotherhoods forged.

Child Abuse Detective Kristen King, Sgt Kent Wolverton, and podcast newbie Emily Canete join this roundtable of shenanigans. Enjoy