ATO: BRIDGING THE DIVIDE

Episode 71 Dallas PD Assistant Chief Reuben Ramirez #7345: From Idea to Implementation

Episode 71 Dallas Police Assistant Chief Reuben Ramirez #7345  From Idea to Implementation

 Welcome back ATO family and welcome on Dallas Police Assistant Chief Reuben Ramirez who commands the Tactical Support Division. The Units under his command include Dallas SWAT, Gang Unit, Narcotics Division, Fugitive Unit, Mounted, K-9, Traffic/Motors and the Helicopter Unit.

He started Dallas PD in 1995 and went to the Southwest Division and quickly engaged in proactive policing with the amazing Southwest 4040’s Unit. This unit made a reputation as being the go to team as the most effective crime fighters in that division.

He has worked many units within the Dept that include undercover Narcotics, Major Crimes Unit, PIU, Internal Affairs, Crimes Against Persons Bureau Commander and now over Tactical Operations Bureau Commander.

All of this experience, at different levels of command, different types of people, has helped Reuben grow as a person and a professional and also open his mind to a systemic issue in the American policing model in handling officers’ mental health after long term exposure to trauma.

Fast forward to 2021 Dallas Chief gave Ramirez an assignment to gauge the Dallas Police Department’s overall approach to caring for their employees.

 

After several months of meeting, focus groups, and building a core team to help put his vision in motion the Dallas Police Wellness Unit was born.

Just under a year in existence the Unit has seen early success and is continuing to gain steam to be the leaders and standard to change the mindset in its approach to first responder wellness.

Chief Ramirez wrote a manuscript that was published in the International Association of Chief of Police (IACP) magazine on the implementation of the Dallas Police Wellness Unit for the month of May, Mental Health Awareness Month.

In March of 2023 Reuben drafted Texas House Bill 3858 to incentivize other Texas Police agencies to create a wellness unit that proactively supports the mental health of their employees for years to come. At time of this episodes release it has passed the Texas House and Senate and is on its way to the Texas Governor's desk to sign.

He also created Church Safety Ministry, after a church shooting in Southerland Springs Texas, to provide protocol to church members to survive if attacked. 

 In this episode we will break down this article and listen to Chiefs vision on how he wants this Checkpoint model to become infectious beyond Dallas County to help change a culture, break stigmas, and show vulnerability is not weakness in the policing profession.

This episode begins with a story from over 20 years ago and by the time you finish it you will see that Reuben took a tragedy and is now implementing and idea to benefit generations of first responders.

 Welcome Chief Ramirez to the ATO stage.

 

Link to the IACP article:

From Idea to Implementation - Police Chief Magazine

 

Episode 70 Cedar Rapids Iowa Police Officer Matt Jenatscheck #1226: The Rolodex

Episode 70 Cedar Rapids Iowa Police Dept. Matt Jenatscheck

“The Rolodex”

ATO Family please welcome one of our blue family members that has traveled over 800 miles to take the stage for the listeners.

Nearly a year ago the ATO received a heartfelt message of gratitude, and it formed a new friendship many states away. This rollercoaster of a story will touch on many topics and have many emotions but when we get to the “Never Give Up on You” exit music the listener will be reminded that Police work is the same everywhere, the trauma is the same everywhere, and even trained first responders need help to survive.

In July of 2022 an incident occurred that changed the direction of this officer’s life but also reminded him of very old wounds that existed from the life of being in law enforcement for over two decades. The cumulative trauma officers endure daily can be as damaging as a rifle being leveled at you during a traffic stop and if, untreated, can weigh on you and become too much.

The weight of the badge is heavy not only for the one that wears it but also the ones they goes home to. We have seen the weight ruin relationships with family and friends and we have also seen that NO ONE is immune to the effects of this weight.

The message today will be clear: YOU ARE NOT ALONE!

Here to present this story today is Joe, Kent, and the Great Dallas SWAT Operator Steve Claggett.

Todays guest is the husband to his beautiful wife Jen, father to Chloe and Hailee, and a true public servant to the state of Iowa.

Special Shout Out to Cedar Rapids Blair Klostermann as she and Matt recently won their Department’s Medal of Valor Award.

 Matt Jenatscheck the ATO stage is yours to tell us about the “Rolodex”.

Critical Incidents:

 The brutal murder of Lynnsey Donald on April 21, 2015. The suspect attacked her, as her 7 year child watched, and stabbed her to death in a parking lot. The suspect received life in prison with no parole.

Officer involved shooting in July 2022 in Cedar Rapids Iowa.

Acronyms used:

EMDR- Eye Movement Desinsitization Reprocessing

A Message from the Host XI with Rebecca Leppert from Pro Players Foundation

A Message from the Host XI with Rebecca Leppert of the Pro Players Foundation

Very Special guest cohosts Dallas K9 Angela Arredondo and Sgt Andrea Shipp.

Hello ATO Fam and welcome back for a quick message.

Today we are sitting down with Chief Operating Officer Rebecca Leppert from the Pro Players Foundation that is dedicated to improving the quality of lives for the most in innocent in the world we live in……children.

 This organization endeavors to enrich the lives of kids in need across North Texas through their many projects and programs that benefit underserved victims of catastrophic illness, injury, abuse and sex trafficking.

They truly are serving and saving the lives of those who cannot fight for themselves.

Rebecca Leppert will tell us the history of this great mission, which has first responder ties, and how YOU can help them and be a part of it,

Last year they built over 900 bikes for children ages 2-5 and in 2023 they are hoping to build and deliver over 1000.

 This is REAL and SELFLESS service folks. Please this message a listen and help them out.

 

https://ppf.ngo

Episode 69 Dallas Police Placed Network Investigations Task Force Brandon Dye #11015

Episode 69 Dallas Police Placed Network Investigations Task Force Brandon Dye #11015

 Welcome back ATO friends as we welcome on a guest that proves that determination, desire and support can lead to a path of greatness no matter where you grow up.

It about the people around you and that inner drive that can propel you to having the desire to being the human being that can help others and make your family proud.

Dallas PD Officer Brandon Dye embodies these qualities.

He grew up in one of the roughest parts of Dallas Texas, South Dallas, the 415, and attended The Great James Madison High School.

We have mentioned before that in certain parts of inner cities the daily crime and violence can become theater for some neighborhoods and police interaction can vary on the experience.

The Dallas Police and the Dallas SWAT Unit were part of Brandon’s life growing up and it sparked a desire in him to serve and help others. He joined the Dallas Police Explorer Program at the Central Post #7980 and knew he was going to lead and forge his own path to be great. He was an explorer from 2009-2015 and then quickly after hired on with the Dallas Police Dept and joined class 346.

He gravitated to Gang Unit enforcement and utilized his real-life experience and knowledge of growing up in the toughest part of Dallas to sharpen his craft in good old fashion street cop work.

This episode will chronicle the life of a young man that experienced challenges at a young age as he grew up in an area that DOES NOT provide some opportunities, they others may enjoy. This episode will inspire, motivate and show that we can resiliency is created and not given to you.

ATO Family please welcome to the stage Brandon Dye and his partner Jacob Holmes as they tell their story of growth, partnership and earning each other’s utmost respect.

Critical Incidents:

Memorial Day 2018 Incident at the People’s El Shadai (Butterbean Apts)

Arrest of Trap Boy Freddy

2020 George Floyd riots in Dallas Texas

Episode 68 Visual Mediator and American Homicide Project Author Richard Sharum

Episode 68 Documentary Photographer and Visual Mediator Richard Sharum

“Obsession with Time”
Welcome back ATO family as today we present the story of a true visionary in the documentary photographer Richard Sharum. Guest cohosts are Dallas Police Major Nathan Swyers and Dallas Police Homicide Detective Andrea Isom.

Richard Sharum is a documentary and project-centered photographer based in the Dallas, Texas area.  Mainly focusing on socio-economic or social justice dilemmas concerning the human condition, his work has been regarded as in-depth, up-close and personal.

This man will show us the world through a different lens….his camera lens as he commits himself to his projects to show all angles to ensure the reader of his books gets the full picture and the story behind it.

Richard has been embedded with the Dallas Homicide Unit for over a year as he has lived like a Homicide Detective with the midnight callouts for murders as well as the suicide deaths. As Detectives applied their craft at the crime scene so did Richard…..capturing every angle, every emotion from all parties involved. Richard tackles the phenomenon of homicide in our country as he paints a picture from the perspective of the victims, their families, the suspects and their families and the investigators as they attempt to piece together their own puzzles to ensure justice has been served.

Richard showed the world Cuba unlike the United States has ever seen or been told with his book Campesino Cuba.

He documented the unknown community Under Las Vegas, the natural disaster of Katrina and is now showing the beauty of our great county inSpina Americana.

 And now he is telling his story on the ATO stage and after the episode you will truly understand Richards “why” in life.

 Mr. Sharum the stage is yours….. 

https://richardsharum.com

IG: @Richard_Sharum 

richard.andrew.sharum@gmail.com

 

Episode 67 Dallas Police Major (Ret.) Leroy Quigg #6823: O.G of the Dallas Gang Unit

Episode 67 Dallas Police (Ret.) Major Leroy Quigg

”It took God to close his eyes in order for him to see…”

Welcome back ATO family and please welcome on a piece of Dallas PD history in Leroy Quigg.

Leroy, curly top, Quigg joined the Dallas Police Department in 1992 and quickly volunteered for the Dallas Gang Unit, during the height of the rise of gangs in Dallas Texas.

From 1993 to 2004 he was an enforcement officer for the Gang Unit. In 1997 he formed a gang intervention project called GI COP to further connect officers to the gang members and community to avoid recidivism. More importantly he wished to stop the violence in the gang world.

In 2004 he became a Detective in the Gang Unit and stayed in this position until 2010 before he climbed the leadership ladder to Sgt.

 

Leroy has been a trailblazer in community policing in the Dallas Police Department as he created several initiatives such as “Enough is Enough” and barber shop talk called “Getting Faded with 12” to bridge divides with the community. He would sit in barbershops, in the roughest parts of Dallas, and welcome honest open dialogue with the patrons because he gained their trust not as Detective, Sgt, Lt. or Major Quigg……..He did it as Leroy.

Leroy dedicated over 30 years to the City of Dallas and now he is enjoying retirement in Ohio taking care of his family.

Leroy Quigg the stage is yours……..

Episode 66 The Return of United States Marshal Chris White: Critical Incident Response

Episode 66 US Marshal Chris White Part Two: Electric Boogaloo

”You are not alone…..”

Former Dallas PD turned U.S. Marshal -  Chris White returns to the podcast for a second episode to talk about the US Marshal C.I.R.T (Critical Incident Response Team) that responds to critical incidents across the country for the Marshal Service.

CIRT members are trained personnel and are peers that are of high character that respond to incidents to assist with the involved Marshal as well as their families.

In this episode we discuss the responsibilities and importance of these units to help the involved and their families through tragedies.

Marshal White discusses a few incidents that he assisted with as a member of the CIRT.

This is a truly inspiring story told by a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt, former MMA pro-fighter, devoted family man, and dedicated law man. 

ATO Family welcome US Marshal Chris White back to the ATO stage.

 

Critical Incidents discussed:

In March of 2019 Deputy Jacob Keltner was working with a U.S. Marshals Service fugitive task force to serve an arrest warrant and was shot and killed as the suspect shot through the door. The suspect received 55 years in prison for this offense.

Deputy Keltner left behind a wife and two young children.

Senior Inspector Jared Keyworth, 42, died in the line of duty on Oct. 1 at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, Mississippi, from severe injuries incurred in a vehicular accident Sept. 28.

US Marshal Ryan Marten passed away on September 14^th 2020.

Ryan was known for having an immense amount of love for his family, friends, country, and of course—the Dallas Cowboys. He was the definition of a true patriot. He will be deeply missed and remembered by all those who had the opportunity to cross paths with him.

A Message From The Host X with Todd Boeding from the Carry the Load Podcast

Welcome back ATO family as we bring you the Tenth Message from the Host.

And today we sit down with a true patriot in Todd Boeding from the Carry the Load Podcast, Lessons from the Front.

Their podcast can be heard on all streaming platforms as they have on service members from all branches of military and all first responders to tell their incredible stories of resiliency.

The Carry the Load Foundation was created by Navy SEALS Clint Bruce and Stephen Holly as their mission is to restore the true meaning of Memorial Day.

To date the Carry the Load group has raised over 38 million dollars to go towards programs to assist military and first responders.

The Assist the Officer Foundation has been a partner with CTL for several years and are extremely grateful for their amazing mission and generosity.

We look forward to our continued partnership with this great organization as we all Carry the Load.

So leading up to Memorial Day 2023 we ask you……who are you carrying?

 

WWW.CARRYTHELOAD.ORG

WWW.DALLASATO.ORG 

 

Episode 65 Dallas SWAT Lieutenant Andre Taylor #7752: Trust God, Clean House, Serve Others

Episode 65 Dallas Police Department SWAT Sergeant Andre Taylor #7752

 “Trust God, Clean House, Serve Others”

 The Assist the Officer Foundation sits down with an incredibly accomplished and unique individual today in Sgt. Andre Taylor of Dallas SWAT.

As Dre grew up in the South side of Chicago, he regularly witnessed acts of violence but also witnessed an incredible community and family as his mother was ever present in his upbringing ensuring he didn’t fall prey to the many negative lifestyles of the streets that could lead to him in jail or dead.

Life laid itself out for Andre as he found himself moving to Dallas Texas to join the Police force in 1999 and began serving the City of Dallas. He joined the Dallas SWAT team in 2003 and trained under some of the toughest SWAT trainers who exposed him to a new level of police work . Andre experienced several critical incidents during his time in SWAT and one that sticks out more than others is an incident that’s familiar to this show. The hostage rescue on Martel still haunts everyone that was a part of that operation.

After leaving SWAT he joined the Dallas Mounted Unit and learned the tools to have a partner, Tommy, that weighed over 1500 lbs. and quickly understood the power and beauty of horses and saw the importance of community policing.

Andre Taylor returned to Dallas SWAT years later and found himself in a new role as the leader and not the operator, so he had to learn to develop tools for his new role as being a boss to high performing and highly trained operators.

Dre has always been in control of his life and his own destiny however in January of 2023 he looked into the mirror and did not like what he saw and realized he could not control an aspect of his life. As he contemplated his new direction, he typed out on email that would change his life, both personally and professionally, forever as he knew once he hit the send button everything would change.

Once he hit send and the first step in climbing a new mountain was taken and now Dre found himself in a completely new world as he had to ask for help to regain control of his life.

The listener will have to finish this story and hear Andre’s new challenge in life and career as he found a new purpose and “why”.  We are hoping Dre finds that needed time now to work on his old cars and roller skate.

ATO Family you are never alone in this life…….Please always reach out.

 

Critical incident:

Infant hostage on 5800 Martel, Dallas, Texas on 6/20/2007

Acronyms/Phrases:

APC- Armored personnel carrier

#SWAT

#Chicago

12 Step AA Programs: 12 Steps to Recovery for Addiction (americanaddictioncenters.org)

Episode 64 Communications Supervisor for Fairfax County DPSC Gillian Ethridge: Heart Behind the Headset

The ATO is proud to welcome 911 Calltaker/Police/Fire/Teletype Dispatch Supervisor Gillian Ethridge to the stage to shed some light on one of the most crucial components to the first responder world: communications.

Gillian was born in Dallas in 1988 and she and her family moved to Fairfax, Virginia where she had dreams of becoming a firefighter as a teen and some of the best times of her life was when she was an explorer for the fire department.

Her dream was to be in the fire department but life, as it often does, takes you down several turns that you do not wish to take.  So, she started as a 911 call taker and fell in love with the faster pace and found her niche in problem solving and critical thinking behind the headset.

She applied for Dallas PD Communications as a police dispatcher in 2015 and thrived in the fast-paced city of Dallas, Texas.  But once again life took a different turn and Gillian and her new girlfriend decided to move back to Fairfax as both dove back into communications, and also dove into love as they married in 2017.

Gillian promoted to supervisor in 2020 and subsequently won an award for Excellence in Supervision for her agency her first year in.

Her story isn’t just about call taking and dispatching, the necessity for always being the quarterback for her officers when a “tone” comes out, an inaudible shriek calling for help, or being the one that calms the airwaves as chaos erupts. This story is also about resiliency….extreme mental and physical resiliency in professional and personal life.

She is dedicated to her profession, to her wife Jam, to her twin sister Dallas Detective Kristen Greene, and to the many first responders she assisted over her life.

Gillian Ethridge is truly the Heart Under the Headset.

What is MS? | National Multiple Sclerosis Society (nationalmssociety.org)

 

Episode 63 Dallas Police Dept. Joey Arvizu #10624 and his wife Cathy Arvizu

Episode 63 Dallas Police Joey Arvizu #10624

Today’s story time features a true warrior and an incredibly kind human being that also happens to be a Dallas Police Officer.

Jose Julian Arvizu hired on with the Dallas Police Department in 2013 and spent most of his time at the Southeast Division (God’s Country) and quickly gained a reputation as being a by the book officer and natural born leader.

This episode tells the story of a Marine, a Police Officer, and a dedicated husband whose life changed on April 18^th 2018 as he found himself within a whisper of death.

While training for a charity boxing match, known as Guns and Hoses, Joey began sparring and woke up in Baylor Hospital trying to figure out what happened to him.

His wife, Cathy, stood by his side through all of the fears and all of the unknowns as he fought for his life.

Cathy had always heard of the “Blue Family” but she witnessed, first hand, just how strong that thin blue line is when one of its family is in need of help.

ATO family welcome on the Arvizu family.

Critical Incident discussed:

On April 18^th, 2018 Joey Arvizu suffered a brain bleed while prepping for a charity boxing match.

Guns and Hoses event is an annual event that features local police and fire in boxing matches.

Episode 62 Dallas Police (Ret.) Gretchen Rocha #10942: Resiliency Defined

Episode 62 Ret. Dallas Officer Gretchen Rocha 

" Live Simple, Live Brave, and Live Kindly"

 Welcome back ATO Family today’s episode has a lot of moving parts and includes a lot of heartache, inspiration, healing and the survival.

Gretchen Rocha tells her unique story of growing up in Wisconsin as she was raised in the fundamental independent Baptist culture and learned resiliency at an early age. She chose to take a different path in her life as she experienced early trauma in family and in her religious upbringing that continues to stay with her.

 She hired on with the Dallas Police Department in 2016 and just three weeks into training the unthinkable happened as the City of Dallas was rocked by the most loss of police lives since the 9-11 attacks in NYC.  Gretchen found herself in the line of fire as she could hear the bullets whizzing by her ear and passing through her hair she had to take cover behind a car that was absorbing rounds from the sniper. After being struck, in two different places, she had to drive another downed officer to the hospital and seek medical attention herself.  July 7^th 2016 saw five officers murdered and several others wounded, including this guest.

Sit back and listen to the story of an interesting woman, officer, mother, wife and bad ass entrepreneur.

 

The ATO stage is given to  the domestic Goddess Gretchen Rocha.

 

Follow her on Facebook at Dolce Beauty Bar 

Critical Incidents discussed:

July 7^th 2016 in downtown Dallas at Lamar and Main St. that resulted in 5 Officers murdered and several others wounded.

November 16^th 2018, Arts Apartments on Ross Ave. Off Duty Incident that Gretchen encountered burglary suspects in her apartment parking garage.

A Message From The Host IX Kevin James Clayshoot Edition

Welcome back ATO family as we bring you the ninth Message from the Host.

This will be our Kevin James Clayshoot Edition as we sit down with one of the organizers of this great event in Dallas SWAT Lt. Kevin Campbell.

Lt. Campbell currently commands the SWAT Unit and has been instrumental in planning and organizing the annual KJ Clay Shoot that benefits the Assist the Officer Foundation.

To register for this event go to WWW.KEVINJAMESCLAYSHOOT.COM if you want to sponsor a team or come out and shoot.

 

The Event will be April 7^th at Elm Fork Shooting Range in Dallas. Registration begins at 8am and with a 9am shoot start.

Breakfast and lunch will be served and several kick ass items will be up for raffle.

We also always need volunteers to help run these events so please reach out atATOBRIDGING@GMAIL.COM OF YOU WANT TO COME SUPPORT US.

 

We are also raffling off a unique Peacock Bass fishing trip in the amazon that is all inclusive. The trip will be onboard Rio Negro Queen for two spots.

YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE PRESENT AT THE CLAYSHOOT TO WIN THIS FISHING TRIP.

Value of the trip is around 10K.

Big thank you to Wade Dews and Tyler Remediz at Frontline Real Estate Team for starting the Heroes Serving Heroes Program and will donate percentage of commissions to the ATO.

As always thank you for supporting us and be safe, keep listening and lets take care of each other.

Joe

Episode 61 Dallas PD SWAT ASL Matt Smith #7765: Don't Get Left in Virginia

Episode 61 Dallas SWAT Matthew Smith #7765

“Don’t get left in Virginia”

ATO friends, you are in for a treat.  We sat down with the not so ordinary man with an ordinary name.  Senior Corporal Matt Smith talks about how his East Texas upbringing helped forge the discipline that has defined him throughout his police career. 

Matt joined the Dallas Police Department in 1999.  He was assigned to the Northeast Patrol division after completing the Police Academy.  In 2005 he competed in a tryout for the Dallas SWAT Team and has not looked back.

Senior Corporal Smith was originally assigned to a sniper role but since that time, he has been trained in almost every discipline the SWAT team offers. Matt attacked each role with a determination that is difficult to match.  He has been an Assistant Squad Leader in the prestigious Dallas SWAT Team for 8 years and running. In that role he demands a lot from the officers in the unit and more of himself.  For almost 18 years he has crafted different ways to be even more prepared for any incident. 

Whether it is a hostage rescue, barricaded person, natural disaster, or a presidential dignitary protection assignment, you can count on Matt Smith to be ready in a pressed uniform with his equipment prepared and his ride clean.

Join us as we discuss preparation, operations, mindset, and training with a true professional.

 

Critical incidents:

Oak Park search warrant/shooting multiple officers hit by gunfire

July 7^th 2016

October 2007 search warrant in which Lieutenant Carlton Marshall was shot

 

 #SWATTRAINING

 #TTPOA

 #SWAT

#firstresponders

#mentalhealth

#policestories

#firefighters

#firstresponderpodcast

#wellness

#police

#policepodcasts

#coplife

#policecriticalincidents

#truecrime

#policedetectives

#SWAT

#DallasSWAT

#truecrimejunkie

#truecrimeobsessed

#crime

#murder

#truecrimefan

#truepolicestories

#podcasts

 

Special Bonus Episode: Dallas The Ticket’s review of Bob Sturm’s Episode

Bob’s World Segment 
This is special bonus episode so our ATO family can hear the Great Bob Sturm on his own show, The Hardline, discussing his experience on the ATO: Bridging the Divide Podcast.
The radio station, The Ticket, is iconic in the sports talk world and has won the top award for radio station of the year four times. Bob is a good friend and longtime first responder supporter as he comes from a long line of police family members.

In his episode we discuss some police ride alongs he did with us back in 1999 and 2007 and we may have been too candid with these stories but hey everything turned out great.

They aired this segment right after we released Bob’s episode and, being a longtime Ticket fan, it was entertaining to hear.

I want The Ticket and Bob to know how grateful we are to have joined us for an episode and go even further to give us some additional love with an entire segment.

You are about to hear a segment of Bob’s World from The Ticket.

Thank You Bob and Thank You Hardline for the support.

ATO friends……Enjoy this bonus clip and have an amazing and safe weekend.

Joe

Episode 60 Dallas Police Dept. Twins Bryan Candelaria #9294 and Gabriel Candelaria #9326

Episode 60

Dallas Police Department’s Bryan Candelaria #9294 and Gabriel Candelaria #9326

The Dallas Island Boys

The Assist the Officer Foundation welcomes on the Dallas Police Department’s identical twin brothers in Bryan and Gabriel Candelaria.

Hailing from the 305, Miami Florida, they do embody the flavor of South Florida as they grew up in the fast- paced post cocaine cowboy era of Miami.

They both gravitated to law enforcement as they grew up in a first responder family under the tutelage of the great Miami-Dade PD Legend Omar Carrillo.  (The ATO family will hear Omar’s story on a later episode)

In the true spirit of Greek mythology twin archers, Apollo and Artemis, they are identical yet very different in their approach to life and career.

They moved to North Texas to begin their law enforcement career and joined the Dallas Police Department and started the academy in the same academy class.

They hit the streets in different part of Dallas as Gabe went North and Bryan went South and both then truly began forming their own style of police work. Bryan chose “Chasing Dope” and Gabe gravitated to Intelligence led policing and finding his niche in undercover deployment.

Like Artemis and Apollo both had a passion for the “hunt” of policing as they quickly became effective in just taking bad guys off the street to make the neighborhoods safer.

 

After leaving the Southeast Division CRT Bryan joined the prestigious Dallas SWAT to fulfill a life-long dream, following in Omar’s footsteps and Gabe joined a team on the ground floor that would revolutionize the Dallas PD in ushering in the video age in the body worn camera program.

This story is about two brothers, different in many ways, but equally genuine as human beings that pursued a calling and both succeeding in every stop they’ve had with Dallas PD.  

Both are finally in leadership roles to be mentors and role models to help mold the future of the Dallas Police Department as Gabriel serves as the Lieutenant for the Dallas Police Chief Eddie Garcia and Bryan a Sergeant for the Violent Crime Task Force.

 

Sit back and enjoy laughter, inspiration, heartbreak and growth as we introduce the Candy Twins to the ATO stage.

 

Critical Incidents:

Officer involved shooting in the Dixon Circle Community 7/24/2012

Hostage rescue with children on 2/9/2020 at 6000 Abrams

Hostage Rescue Homicide/Suicide on 511 Highcrest 5/18/2020

George Floyd riots in downtown Dallas in 2020

 

Instagram: ato_bridging_divide

ATODALLAS.org

Contact us at atobridging@gmail.com

#firstresponders

#mentalhealth

#policestories

#firefighters

#firstresponderpodcast

#dallaspolice

#police

#dallaspolice

#SWAT

#305tillidie

#miami

 

Episode 59 Dallas Police Major Mark Harris #7877: Charlie Brown Effect

Episode 59

Dallas Police Department Major Mark Harris #7877

”The craziest rage I’ve ever felt in my life”

Today the ATO crew is sitting with a genuine individual and true professional to discuss the “Charlie Brown Effect”.

Dallas Major Mark Harris grew up in St Louis and found the love of his life Yvonne before joining the United States Marine Corp as he started his life of service.  From 1986-1989 he began his life in law enforcement as an MP for the USMC before he traveled to South Texas to work for the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office until 2000. 

In 2000 he joined the Dallas Police Department and has risen through the ranks up to Police Major and now commands the North Central Patrol Division. 

Mark has had several events in his life and career that have defined him and also strengthen him as he endured the “Charlie Brown Effect”. 

Every year at Thanksgiving Charlie would trust Lucy to hold the ball while he kicks it, and every year she would yank the ball away and Charlie would fall flat on his back. Yet Charlie still tries, every year, to kick that ball that Lucy holds. 

Life can be that way for all of us…..Falling flat on our backs. However getting back up and being persistent is what can define a person and establish growth.  Throughout his career Mark never stopped trying to kick that ball and he is now a Major in one of the largest Police Departments in the country. 

Even as a Commander he never lost his genuine kindness he has possessed his entire life as he always treats his troops with fairness, compassion, and support. 

You can travel the halls of Dallas PD headquarters and you will be hard pressed to find anyone to say something negative towards Major Mark Harris.

Special guest cohost Narcotics Detective Todd “T-Bone” Conway joins us as he is a longtime friend of Major Harris as well having a unique perspective as he was present when Mark was shot while running a Narcotics search warrant in the Pleasant Grove area of Dallas.

Critical Incident:

On 9/28/2006 at 9711 Pinehurst, Dallas Texas, Dallas Police Narcotics Division were involved in a shooting while they executed a search warrant. During this officer involved shooting Major Harris was hit with gunfire as his teammates returned fire at the barricaded suspect. 

#policenarcotics #criticalincident #fallenheroes #police #narcotics #narcos #policeresponse

Episode 58 Dallas Police Homicide Detective Andrea Isom #9272: Investigating Death

Episode 58

Dallas Police Homicide Unit Detective Andrea Isom # 9272

The Dallas Police Department’s Homicide Unit is incredibly rich in history.

The Homicide and Robbery Unit, under Captain J.W. Fritz, was considered the elite unit of the Dallas Police Department as it investigated high profile crimes like the Texas Eyeball Killer, the pastor Walker Railey, and the murder of President John F. Kennedy in 1963.

Capt. Fritz created traditions and a standard in excellency that lives on today as they investigate the most egregious of crimes……taking another humans life.

Penal Code Chapter 19:

A person commits criminal homicide if he intentionally, knowingly, recklessly, or with criminal negligence causes the death of an individual.

Today’s guest continues the great tradition of putting together puzzle pieces and solving crimes that a victim does not get a chance to tell their side of the story.  She does this with her meticulous style and grace that has formed her reputation as being one of the best Detectives that works for the City of Dallas.

Hailing from the great city of Kansas City Missouri Andrea Isom hired on with Dallas PD in 2007 and began working the streets in North East Patrol Division as a rookie street cop.

After working as an Assaults Detective she fulfilled her dream of becoming a Homicide Detective. She hit the ground running as the City of Dallas has no shortage of violent crimes as she cut her teeth on training as she assisted on the high-profile Zoe Hastings and the murder of a local dentist.

This episode Andrea details cases she worked on as well as the victimology aspect of putting together pieces of the puzzle to bring these suspects to justice to give the families and friends some form of peace.

Detective Isom recently was awarded the Dallas Police Association Cop’s Cop Runner-Up Award for the 2022 Officer of the Year. This award is voted on and given by her peers on the Dallas Police Department.

She also is co-founder of the TAB7 non-profit organization that was designed to raise funds for the Homicide Unit for equipment and training that can be used for solving crimes.

ATO family sit back and soak in the story of a true professional that sees and investigates some of this City’s most horrific scenes and still makes time to bake her coworkers homemade cookies.

#firstresponders #homicidedetective #trauma #criticalincidentresponse #homicide

Episode 57 Texas Super Lawyer Bob Gorsky: Protecting First Responders Rights

Episode 57

Bob Gorsky of Lyon, Gorsky, & Gilbert LLP.

Texas Super Lawyer 

When Police are put into a position to use deadly force or they have incurred an injustice they may have to make a phone call for help. 

For over 45 years attorney Bob Gorsky has picked up the phone when first responders call in need of help.

Members of the Dallas Police Association, Dallas PD’s largest association,  and many other Texas Officer and Firefighter groups have had to make that call to Bob.

Mr. Gorsky grew up in Buffalo, New York and graduated from the famed Southern Methodist University School of Law in 1978 and quickly began getting involved with the defense of Texas peace officer in the Dallas Area.

He is the founding partner of Lyon, Gorsky, & Gilbert LLP and has responded to over 2000 critical incidents since 1983. He is believed to be the first attorney in Texas to regularly respond to officer – involved critical incidents.

In addition to the development of the attorney’s role in responding to critical incidents, he was the first to attorney to represent an officer at an Internal Affairs Division. (Circa 1985)

He has passionately fought for the rights of first responders throughout his career and continues to do so to this day.

 

In this episode we detail some of those historic fights like the Ron Iscaro case that occurred on August 25^th 1983 when Bob had to fight to create light duty positions for injured officers. Before this case there were no light duty positions for officers that were injured and unable to return to full duty.

There has not been a major fight for Officers against the City of Dallas or the Dallas Police Department that Bob’s expertise and true dedication hasn’t played a role in those fights.

 

Thank you, Bob for all that you do and being our guardian and protector for our first responders.

www.lyongorsky.com

 Critical Incidents:

On August 25^th 1983 Dallas Officer Ron Iscaro responded to 1960 Toronto St. and was shot in the temple with a shotgun. Officer Iscaro was only 23 years old at the time of this incident.  

A Message From The Host VIII with The Officer Next Door

Hello ATO family

On the eve of releasing the Great Bob Gorsky episode I want to drop our latest message from the host.

This is no ordinary message as we are proud to sit down with a true first responder supporter in the creator of The Officer Next Door Page.

The father of this page likes to remain anonymous so we will respect his wishes but his former Dallas PD friends and family know the real man behind the mask and know his true mission behind this great page.

I met him when he arrived to God’s Country, Southeast Patrol, and I saw that we were very like minded as we both loved putting away neighborhood terrorist. His work ethic and charisma helped him propel to the Dallas Narcotics Division and climb to the top of that unit to take on the “Lab Unit” which is still looked at as the cream of the crop in that Division.

This message tells a little more about why he created his page, The Officer Next Door, and why he is committed to standing along side his police peers as he enjoys a new adventure in life.

Sit back and enjoy this message as it just a “glimpse” of a great man,Officer, Detective, and incredible friend.

Who is this mysterious person that runs this page??  Tune in to try and figure it out.

And please wish him a HAPPY BIRTHDAY TODAY!!!

THEOFFICERNEXTDOOR@GMAIL.COM

If you would like to donate to the ATO please go to ATODALLAS.ORG. Any contribution will be greatly appreciated and it will go to our first responders.

Keep listening….Stay Safe and we will see you soon.

JK