ATO: BRIDGING THE DIVIDE

Episode 81 Tim and Kathy Penton: In Remembrance of Mitchell Aaron Penton #11654

"Always come home".

This is the story of a young Dallas Officer who had ambitions of fighting crime, serving the city and starting a new family. Mitchell Penton embraced the Northeast Patrol Division’s fast pace and settled in with several other young officers that became a blue family.  Mitchell loved being a cop….was a loyal son, a devoted father, and husband and everyone in his life looked to the future to travel with him on this journey.

But life being what it is - a series of intersecting lives and incidents, out of anyone's control changed all of that on February 13^th, 2021, on an icy morning in Dallas, Texas. Officer Penton was struck and killed by a drunk driver as he worked an accident scene on North Central Expressway and Walnut Hill.

He left behind an expectant wife, stepson, amazing parents and a brother and sister.

Today we are hearing from his parents, Tim and Kathy, as they give a peek into who Mitchell Penton was as a child, a soccer player, a goofy and fun-loving kid, to his decision to serve as an Officer.

They take us on their own journey from the night of February 13^th, 2021, to the conclusion of a  trial in May of 2023.

 This story is a powerful reminder of the fleeting nature of life and of the importance of cherishing our moments.

It encourages us to live in the present, to appreciate the people and experiences around us, and to make the most of the time we have.

Please welcome the Penton family to the ATO stage.

Critical Incident:

February 13, 2021:

Police 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.

The driver of the vehicle that struck Officer Penton was arrested and charged with intoxication manslaughter of a police officer and intoxication assault. In 2023, he was found guilty and sentenced to 30 years.

Episode 80 (Ret.) Miami-Dade Police Narcotics Omar Carrillo #2233: The Miami Drug Wars

Welcome back to the show for our 80^th episode and we will be taking you back in time to the age of hair bands, the cold war, and the rise of cocaine in the United States. Ground zero for cocaine distribution into the US was Florida and specifically the city of Miami as it rolled into our country from Columbia.  With all the cocaine that was pouring in brought not only the ungodly amount of cash but also extreme violence.

Movies and documentaries have been made about this era, specifically Cocaine Cowboys, as the beautiful city of Miami turned into a warzone and became known as the drug capital of the world.

 

Today’s guest was at the heart of this war as he hired on with Miami Metro-Dade Police Department, the drug capital of the world, and quickly formed a reputation as a hardworking and honest cop who quickly gained a knack for undercover work.

He joined the Police Department in 1981 and began undercover work in 1986. This man worked in various positions that include SWAT, Homicide Bureau, Robbery and Public Corruption and excelled in all of them.

With all the accolades and legendary lawman reputation he also managed to be an amazing father to his children as he mentored and raised some incredible kids. The listeners have heard his name before on the show as the Candelaria twins praised him and emulated their lives and career after him. One half of the twins, Bryan Candelaria, share the mic as a guest cohost to show some love to their pops.

He was their hero.

ATO family……Omar Coming.

Critical Incident:

June 1992, during a narcotics bust, Omar Carillo was involved in a officer involved shooting as the suspect attempted to rob him. The entire incident was captured on video.

The murder of Jimmy Ryce

On September 11, 1995, fifteen days before his 10th birthday, nine-year-old Ryce was riding the bus from school. He was dropped off, along with ten classmates, and had to walk less than a block to his home. According to his confession, Chavez blocked Ryce's path with his pickup truck and forced him at gunpoint into the truck. Chavez took Ryce to his trailer on a nearby ranch where he raped him. About four hours later, when he heard a helicopter hovering above, Ryce ran to the door and tried to open it only to be shot in the back by Chavez, who held the child until he took his last breath. Then, Chavez decapitated and dismembered him.

 

• Corporate Security Director @ Frito Lay
• Director @ Pepsico Global Security
• Mortgage Fraud Investigator @ Citimortgage

Episode 79 Dallas Police Chief Eddie Garcia: Act Outside the Box

“Act Outside the Box”

 

Welcome back ATO Family

 

Today we welcome the Boss of Dallas PD back to the mic as we talk about the Dallas Police Department’s mission in making mental wellness a priority.  

Over the last couple of months Dallas has endured tragedies with officers taking their own life as well as losing officers to medical emergencies.

Chief Eddie Garcia is here to talk about making his employee’s health a priority and is dedicated to establishing a culture to come forward and get help more importantly, trust in the system.

The first responder’s world has long stigmas in Officers seeking help. We are very good at saving people but often do not make our own mental health a priority.

Our mission is daunting, and change is intimidating but with a leader like Chief Garcia at our helm we have HOPE in changing a culture for generations of Dallas Police Officers.
You are NOT ALONE!

If you would like to see our policies for the Dallas Wellness unit, email us at ATOBridging@GMAIL.COM

Episode 78 The Officer Next Door and (Ret.) Dallas Police Chris Wood #8672

Support the good, condemn the bad, honor the fallen.

Our next guest grew up in a very small town in NORTHERN Minnesota, which is why his accent is still so strong despite the fact he hasn’t lived there since 2005. He spent his childhood playing every sport possible, with a year-round focus on hockey. He played hockey in college at Hamline University where he graduated with a degree in criminal justice. Upon graduating college, he joined the Dallas Police Department in 2005. Admittedly, he chose southwest division (ch4) as his first choice but was luckily assigned to God’s country – southeast patrol division. 

In 12.5 years with the Dallas Police Department, he was fortunate enough to work in multiple capacities, SE patrol, NE Patrol, SC Patrol, NW Patrol, Operation Disruption, Auto Theft, Vice, Narcotics Street squad, Narcotics meth lab squad, and ended his career as a “SAFE” detective.

After the events of July 7^th, 2016, he evaluated what he really wanted to do “for his next 30 years” and decided law enforcement was likely not it.  Despite an amazing career, he resigned from the Dallas Police Department in January 2018.

He moved with his eventual wife to Maui, Hawaii where he was the supervisor of the welfare fraud investigations for all of Maui County. While in Maui he started a website or “blog” where he wrote articles about his experiences in law enforcement and reactions to current events as they happened. This blog has evolved and changed over the years and now primarily exists as a “Facebook page”. He says the simple goal of the page is helping and supporting officers however possible.

Whether it’s via fundraising in times of financial hardship or just a voice of support when needed and appropriate.

The motto of the page is simple: Support the good, condemn the bad, honor the fallen.

After a move from Maui to San Diego, he was offered a job in finance which has ultimately proven to be his “second calling in life” after law enforcement. He is currently in the process of building Wood Financial Consulting, a comprehensive financial practice that will help people with everything from personal finance and budgeting to planning for their retirement. He is most excited to work with law enforcement clients to improve their financial situation so they can work less and spend time doing the things in life they enjoy – not working extra jobs!

 

ATO Family welcome badge #8672 to the stage.

 

https://guardianfinancialstrategies.com/

 

Critical Incident:

 

The case of Robert Sparks, who was convicted for fatally stabling his two stepsons and his wife in the Dallas home in 2007.

Sparks was executed by lethal injection on September 25, 2019.

 

July 7^th, 2016, shooting in downtown Dallas, Texas that left 5 Officers dead and several wounded. Commonly referred to as 7/7.

 

Episode 77 Author and (Ret.) Secret Service Agent Samantha Horwitz: Surviving 9/11

" I do not recognize my own reflection staring back at me"

On September 11^th, 2001, todays guest woke up to head to work to the World Trade Center to lead a meeting on an upcoming event.  Her stress began as she sat behind a wreck on the way to the twin towers. The life of a Secret Service Agent is calculated and the importance of being punctual is paramount as she parked and quickly entered the WTC to make her meeting.

The world watched as the North Tower was struck by an airliner at 8:46 am and the destruction and terror unfolded that day.

The South Tower was struck at 9:03 am and the city became aware that the first plane crash was no accident.

At 9:37 am Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon and then at 10:02 and Flight 93 crashed into a field in Pennsylvania. In a little over an hour after the coordinated terror attacks started both Towers of the World Trade Center in New York had fallen.

America was under attack and today we sit down with a survivor who was in the North Tower as the first plane struck and she gives a detailed account of her day watching this terror unfold until she went home that night.

The story did not stop for this guest as she went home however the nightmare was just beginning as she began to see how PTSD is real and can create despair and loss of hope. This guest will walk us through the years of struggle that led her to her basement to take her own life to stop the pain.

This episode is just not an episode about the terrorist attacks on 9/11 but more importantly discusses the real battle, that so many people fight daily with PTSD.

Today’s guest not only survived the incident, not only survived the mental decline, not only survived the thoughts of suicide but now has a new “Why” in life. She fights for so many as she educates others in trauma management and tells her story in hopes that others can learn and survive and thrive themselves.

ATO Family please welcome Samantha Horwitz to the stage as she takes us back to September 11^th 2001.

www.samanthahorwitz.com

www.abadgeofhonor.com

 Critical Incident:

 The September 11 attacks, commonly known as 9/11,^[d] were four coordinated Islamist suicide terrorist attacks carried out by al-Qaeda against the United States on Tuesday, September 11, 2001. That morning, 19 terrorists hijacked four commercial airliners scheduled to travel from the New England and Mid-Atlantic regions of the East Coast to California. The hijackers crashed the first two planes into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, two of the world's five-tallest buildings at the time, and aimed the next two flights toward targets in or near Washington, D.C., in an attack on the nation's capital. The third team succeeded in crashing into the Pentagon, the headquarters of the U.S. Department of Defense in Arlington County, Virginia, while the fourth plane crashed in rural Pennsylvania following a passenger revolt. The attacks killed nearly 3,000 people and instigated the multi-decade global war on terror.

Even today several survivors are still suffering from this day with PTSD and unique forms of cancer.

May We Never Forget!

 

Episode 76 Lifeologie Founder Melanie Wells

“Struggle and pain, and fear and shame, are part of the human condition.”

 Welcome back ATO family!

 Today we give the stage to Lifeologie founder Melanie Wells (LPC-S, LMFT-S, RYT, PYT) as she educates us on the difficulties of navigating life and relationships.

The first responder world endures much trauma in the work life but even more in the homelife as marital issues, bad coping skills, bad communication skills, and divorce is prevalent in our profession. This is the topic we have not tackled yet but we couldn’t find a better guest to share her expertise on the topic.

Melanie specializes in couples and marital therapy – particularly last-ditch marriage counseling. She enjoys taking on the trickiest, stickiest relationship issues after couples have all but given up. She also works with a variety of other issues, including spousal abuse, women’s issues, codependency and divorce recovery.

 

This mean fiddle player grew up in the Texas panhandle and she and her family gravitated to the world of music. However, Melanie found a new passion in serving others and helping them have better qualities of life.

Her unique approach and insight, stemming from real life relationship trauma, has helped so many people of all walks of life and careers.

The sad truth is that no one is immune to relationship issues as it will find you if you are rich, poor, successful, member of SWAT or a firefighter donning a helmet to serve. We are all vulnerable to this epidemic.

Sit back and listen and learn from the Great Melanie Wells.

 

www.wefixbrains.com

 

www.thelispyschool.com

 

www.thedawgproject.org

 

Episode 75 Dallas Police FTO and Narcotics Detective (Ret.) David Rodriguez #2776: A Front Row Seat to Life

“A Front Row Seat to Life”

 ATO Family today we are celebrating our milestone 75^th episode with a true piece of Dallas Police and ATO history with David Rodriguez.

David was born in 1948 and grew up in a segregated West Dallas and joined the Vietnam War right after high school. At this time Dallas PD had their recruiting doors wide open for veterans of this war and David walked right through those doors and into DPD’s open arms in 1969 and graduated in academy class #107.

He made his name as a legendary FTO in the Northwest Division and was awarded an award for Trainer of the Decade.

At age 46 years old David wanted to try something new ventured to the growing Narcotics Unit to battle the deadly drug wars in Dallas in the 90’s

David fell in love with the high speed dynamics of the Narcotics Division and embraced this new role and this new war on drugs.

But life being what it is- a series of intersecting lives and incidents, out of anyone’s control changed David’s life and career.

In January of 1994, while executing a Narcotics Search Warrant. David was shot four times by a suspect and became paralyzed from the chest down.

After a lengthy period of rehabilitation, David found himself unable to perform his duties and was forced to retire.

David did retire from Dallas PD but he did not stop working. He recognized the need help his fellow officers who found themselves in similar circumstances and focused on his new mission.

He helped Bill Carollo, Eddie Crawford and Tom Popken create the Assist the Officer Foundation.

Sit back and listen to a true story of resiliency and determination.  Badge #2776 the ATO is yours……

Critical Incident:

 January 1994 Narcotics officer involved shooting that left Detective David Rodriguez paralyzed.

 

A Message from the Host XII with the Dallas Association of Young Lawyers (DAYL)

Welcome back to another message from the host as we sit down with Kathleen,Justin, and Alex from the Dallas Association of Young Lawyers to discuss the 23^rd Annual Freedom Run.

This run was created in November 2001, after the deadly 9/11 attacks, to honor first responders dedication to serving their communities across the country.

DAYL was formed in the 1920s and is now nearly three thousand members strong as they are the only bar organization in Dallas dedicated exclusively to the needs of young lawyers and the community service projects about which they are most passionate.

If you would like to give the ATO feedback or just say hello please email us atATOBRIDGING@GMAIL.COM.

Until next time……..

If you would like to participate, sponsor or volunteer at the Freedom Run please check the links and sites below.

www.dayl.com

Website: WWW.FREEDOMRUN.COM

Date and Location: September 9, 2023 at 8:00amat Trinity  Groves

Instagram: dayl.freedomrun

Facebook: The Freedom Run

Price Increases: August 14th at 12:00am

Registration Coupon: JBTD_23 

Episode 74 Garland PD Internet Crimes Against Children Detective Tony Godwin #299: Catfish Cop

Episode 74

Garland Texas Police Department Internet Crimes Against Children Detective Tony Godwin

****Sensitive Material Warning****

Welcome back ATO Blue Family.

Today we are sitting with a true expert in his field, a law enforcement Hall of Famer, a Detective that investigates some of the most horrific crimes against the truly vulnerable…..children.

Garland Pd Detective Tony Godwin has been a Detective with the Garland Police Department (30^thyear). Assigned to the Northern Texas ICAC Task Force for almost 18 years now.

He has conducted in excess of 3,500 criminal investigations as the primary Detective into offenses related to the exploitation of children. He is a certified computer and cell phone forensic examiner. Tony has conducted joint criminal investigations while assisting the Federal Bureau of Investigation, The United States Postal Service, the Department of Homeland Security Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency, the United States Secret Service and other local Law Enforcement agencies in an effort to combat child exploitation and child pornography on the World Wide Web.

In this episode we delve into the seedy underworld of Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) and take the listener down a dark road as we hope to bring awareness and educate the listener on this awful topic and crime.

Tony is the best in the business and is a national expert on this topic and recently was inducted into the National Law Enforcement Hall of Fame.

He has owned Law Man Laser Engraving for over 15 years to show off his creative side as well as leave behind a business for his family.

Tony is also cohost of the hit podcast Catfish Cops as they dissect case studies and provide information so that other children and parents do not become another victim in this horrible world.

They also provide information and victims resource on their site https://Catfishcops.com.

You can reach him at LawManLaser@gmail.comfor custom award work and engraving.

As you heard in the Great Clint McNear’s episode this guy is a loyal friend and truly dedicated to helping others. More evidence is Tony’s battle with the Texas Legislative as the is attempting to change laws in Texas to help these children that are victims of these crimes.

Sgt. Jessica Criddle returns to the mic as a guest cohost for this show.

ATO listener sit back and soak in the words of an incredibly humble human being and a true treasure to the law enforcement profession.

 

Episode 73 Dallas Police Homicide Sergeant Jessica Montgomery-Criddle #8634: Professionalism Defined

Episode 73

Dallas Police Homicide Sergeant Jessica Criddle

Welcome back ATO Family as we are extremely happy to welcome Dallas native, Homicide Sgt. Jessica Criddle to the ATO stage and pull back the curtain a bit on this amazing human’s life.

She attended The Booker T. Washington Highschool for Arts and studied dance. She then ventured to Sam Houston State and dove into Biology Pre-Med and Dance and graduating with honors in 2003.

Jessica then began interning at the Medical Examiner’s Office and was accepted into the Dallas School of Mortuary Science, but turned it down to join Dallas PD. After reading her resume, pre- DPD, I wondered how in the hell did the City of Dallas get such an exceptionally brilliant mind to work on the Dallas Police Department?

The answer is simple…..She chose to serve this City.

She has worked various assignments, including IAD, ICAC, Child Exploitation and now her current assignment is Dallas Homicide. Wherever she goes the lasting Impression she leaves on her coworkers is that they love her and would run into battle with her.

There are so many layers to Jessica’s “Why” in life and I encourage the listener to sit back and soak in the story of a truly fierce and incredibly unique individual that just happens to wear a Dallas Police badge.

The theater lights are dimmed...the curtain is slowly rising and the stage lights are shining bright……….Jessica Criddle is center stage.

Acronyms Used:

PIU: Public Integrity Unit

IAD: Internal Affairs Division

ICAC: Internet Crimes Against Children

Episode 72 Former LAPD & Criminologist Dr. David Klinger: Into the Kill Zone

Welcome back ATO family.

"You saved your partner's life"

Today we are sitting down with former Los Angeles Police Department David Klinger as he tells us his story of starting in LA PD in the 80s and immediately being thrusted into a life in death situation as he had to take a life to protect his partners in the streets of LA.  Following his shooting he continued his work in law enforcement and delved into the academic world to continue his research and studies to further serve law enforcement by arming them with facts and education.

His book on police shootings, Into the Kill Zone: A Cop’s Eye View of Deadly Force, was published by Jossey-Bass in 2004.

David A. Klinger is a Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of Missouri-St. Louis and Senior Fellow at the National Policing Institute in Washington, DC.

He has held research positions at the National Policing Institute in Washington, D.C.; the University of Washington, Seattle; the Washington State’s Attorney’s Office; and the Seattle Police Department. In 1997 he was the recipient of the American Society of Criminology’s inaugural Ruth Cavan Young Scholar Award for outstanding early career contributions to the discipline of criminology.

 

Dallas Police Major Dr. Stephen Bishopp and the great Dallas SWAT Legend Steve Claggett sit in as cohosts to show the Dr. our Texas hospitality.

Sit back ATO listeners and enjoy this police academia round table.

 

Critical Incident discussed:

July 25^th 1981 Officer Klinger shot and killed suspect, Edward Randolph, as he was in the process of stabling his partner; Officer Dennis Azevedo of LA PD.

Nationally recognized criminology professor is featured ALEAPS speaker (wtvy.com)

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)