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PODCAST

Reasons We Serve

Reasons We Serve

Do you ever wonder why people go into law enforcement? Does being in law enforcement change your views of the public over time and how does being an officer affect your family? This podcast explores these questions as well as discusses different careers and the functions of various law enforcement agencies including local, state and federal agencies. The episodes include interviews with retired and active-duty law enforcement officers.

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All Episodes

84:57

Episode 106 Cyndi Doyle Founder of Code4Couples

Reasons We Serve ·

2025/04/27

Episode 106 features Cyndi Doyle, who is a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor focusing on counseling for first responders with an emphasis on law enforcement.Cyndi began her career as a typical counselor, but soon married her husband, who began a career in law enforcement. Cyndi had no idea what to expect, and in the beginning, her husband would come home with stories from his job. As years passed, Cyndi began to notice changes in her husband, including cynicism and becoming far less jovial

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70:31

Episode 105 Erik Lavigne Two Cops One Donut

Reasons We Serve ·

2025/04/20

Erik is an active-duty police officer and host of the podcast Two Cops, One Donut. In this episode, we discuss challenges facing law enforcement today, including verbal and physical skills, and the potential for standardizing policing in the United States. We also discuss the difference between older officers and the new generation beginning their careers.Erik discusses why he joined the military and ultimately what made him choose a career in law enforcement.His show Two Cops One Donut can be found

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107:41

Episode 104 retired DEA Special Agent Lori...

Reasons We Serve ·

2025/04/13

Interview with retired DEA Special Agent Lori Schwarzkopf MillerYears of Service: 1991-2015Growing up in a rural farm town in Iowa, Lori is the youngest of six siblings, all at least 10 years older. She attended a small Catholic school with eight boys and eight girls until high school when her graduating class grew to 187 kids.Lori attended the University of Northern Iowa, starting as a Vocal Music major, switching later to Business, and finally graduating with a Criminology degree and a Business

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99:20

Episode 103 David Syvock retired Newport Beach PD SVU...

Reasons We Serve ·

2025/04/06

Interview with retired Newport Beach PD SVU Detective David SyvockYears of Service: 1988-2016David was hired in 1988 by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. During his time with LACSD, David worked on patrol for the COPS Program and for the Community Action Team and worked for a period of time in Avalon, better known as Catalina Island.In 2005, David, then 39, left the LACSD and was hired by the Newport Beach Police Department. As a Special Victims Unit Detective, David found his calling and

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130:43

Episode 102 retired Deputy Special Agent in Charge...

Reasons We Serve ·

2025/03/30

Interview with retired Deputy Special Agent in Charge HSI John McCabeYears of Service: 1991-2024Born and raised in the Southside of Chicago, John comes from a long line of policemen including his great-grandfather, grandfather, and father who all worked for the Chicago Police Department.John has had a long and storied career, starting with the Cook County Sheriff’s Office, Dallas Police Department, Chicago Police Department, and Secret Service, and finally retiring with Homeland Security

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102:50

Episode 101 retired Los Angeles County Sheriff's Gang...

Reasons We Serve ·

2025/03/23

Interview with retired Los Angeles County Sheriff's Gang Detective Knute "Goose" GraniYears of Service: 1969-1984In 1969, Goose was hired by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and began working in the jail. There, he spoke with the inmates and tried to learn everything he could about them. Goose talks about his interactions with inmates, including a fascinating story about Charles Manson.Goose talks about his time on patrol and working with Operation Safe Streets and the difference between

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131:04

Episode 100 retired United States Navy Seal Robert RJ...

Reasons We Serve ·

2025/03/16

Interview with Robert "RJ" Thomas retired Navy Seal.Years of Service: 1963-1995This is Episode 100, featuring Navy Seal RJ Thomas, who has been twice nominated for the Medal of Honor and is a recipient of the Navy Cross.On March 23, 1969, United States Navy Seal Robert J “R.J.” Thomas was flying in one of two Seawolf helicopters that were on a scouting mission near Nuy Da Dung Mountain in Vietnam. As the helicopter approached the mountain, they came under heavy weapons fire and were shot down from

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77:57

Episode 99 former Group Supervisor Mike Messier

Reasons We Serve ·

2025/03/09

Interview with former DEA Group Supervisor Mike MessierYears of Service: 1995-2010Mike joined the DEA after working as a stockbroker on Wall Street. He decided that the DEA was his calling, even with a substantial pay cut, and after graduating from the DEA academy in Quantico, VA, he was assigned to the San Diego office.Mike began working on traditional drug trafficking cases and soon found his specialty, working on money laundering cases and tracking the illicit proceeds that are made as a result

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81:45

Episode 98 retired King County SO Major Crimes...

Reasons We Serve ·

2025/03/02

Interview with retired King County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Detective Jon HollandYears of Service: 1987-2019Jon began his career in law enforcement with the South Salt Lake City, Utah Police Department. After two years, he moved to Washington State and began working for the King County Sheriff's Office, located just south of Seattle.Jon started on patrol but gradually rose through the ranks, serving in the Street Crimes Team, Vice Unit, FBI Fugitive Task Force, and Special Assault Unit, before

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85:20

Episode 97 retired Los Angeles Fire Department...

Reasons We Serve ·

2025/02/23

Interview with retired Los Angeles Fire Department Battalion Chief Steve RudaYears of Service: 1978-2019In 1975, Steve attended the Marine Corps Officer Candidate Scholl and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant. He left active duty in 1978 at the rank of Captain.In 1978, Steve joined the Los Angeles Fire Department, where he led a long and storied career spanning 40 years. Steve received the California State Firefighters Association’s Medal of Valor. He also holds three commendations for bravery,

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96:25

Episode 96 retired Los Angeles County Sheriff...

Reasons We Serve ·

2025/02/16

Interview with retired Los Angeles County Sheriff Homicide Detective Gil CarrilloYears of Service: 1971-2009Gil grew up in the 1970s in Los Angeles. As Gil explains, he was a lazy student who often hung around other young men who were going nowhere. At age 17, a police officer took an interest in Gil and recognized that if he didn’t get out of his environment, he was going to end up in jail or possibly dead. The officer brought Gil home one day and told his parents that if they didn’t sign Gil over

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101:17

Episode 95 former DEA Intelligence Analyst...

Reasons We Serve ·

2025/02/09

Years of Service: 1987-2002In the world of law enforcement, there are many careers other than police officers, sheriff deputies, and Special Agents that play a crucial role during investigations leading to the arrest and prosecution of criminals. One of those careers is as an intelligence analyst, where information is gathered and put together in conjunction with on-ground street enforcement. These analysts are on the front lines and often participate in interviews of suspects as well as gathering

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110:17

Episode 94 Diplomatic Security Service Agent Steve Silva

Reasons We Serve ·

2025/02/02

Years of Service: 1986-PresentSteve has had a long line of service, starting in 1986 when he joined the United States Army. He eventually found his way to the Diplomatic Security Service in 1999 where he was assigned to the Washington D.C. Office.Steve has had a long career with assignments domestically to include D.C., Orlando and Miami Florida, Glynco, Georgia, and Honolulu, Hawaii. In between these domestic assignments, Steve has served internationally in hotspots in Algeria, Pakistan and

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99:17

Episode 93 Boise Fire Department Captain Jim Walker

Reasons We Serve ·

2025/01/26

Interview with Boise Fire Department Captain Jim WalkerYears Of Service: 1999-PresentDuring this episode, Jim discusses his journey to becoming a fireman and his path to becoming a Captain with the Boise Fire Department.During this entertaining episode, Jim talks about his early life in Idaho and why he turned down attending two military academies after being accepted.Jim discusses the fun as well as the downside of being a college football player and life after college. The episode features

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88:58

Episode 92 retired Miami-Dade Homicide Detective...

Reasons We Serve ·

2025/01/19

Interview with retired Miami-Dade Homicide Detective Ramesh NybergYears of Service: 1979-2006Ramesh grew up in South Miami, with a mom from India who would later become a Principal and a father who was a Swedish boat-builder. Much like other kids, Ramesh initially had aspirations to become a professional football player but later at Miami Dade College as a music major, he decided he was going to become a professional musician.At 19 years old, Ramesh was listening to his roommate's police scanner and

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86:33

Episode 91 retired United States Customs Special...

Reasons We Serve ·

2025/01/12

Interview with retired United States Customs Special Agent Bob StarkmanYears of Service: 1980-2018Bob began his career in law enforcement in 1980 as a correctional officer at Greenhaven State Prison in New York. From there he worked for the NYC Sheriff's Office that he described as the worst job he ever had.In 1982, Bob was hired as a U.S. Customs Patrol Officer before transferring to Miami and being promoted to Special Agent. Bob was in Miami during the Cocaine Wars and investigated high-level drug

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129:22

Episode 90 retired DEA Assistant Special Agent in...

Reasons We Serve ·

2025/01/05

Interview with retired DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge Dante SorianelloYears of Service: 1987-2022In 1987, Dante was hired by the DEA. After graduating from the DEA Academy, Dante was assigned to the San Diego office where he investigated clandestine methamphetamine laboratories, money laundering including the Green Ice initiative, and was assigned to the gang task force.Dante was deployed to South America where he served under Operation Snowcap destroying cocaine laboratories and clandestine

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120:33

Episode 89 retired NYPD Detective Vic Ferrari

Reasons We Serve ·

2024/12/29

Interview with retired NYPD Detective Vic FerrariYears of Service: 1987-2007Vic was born in New York and from a young age always wanted to be an NYPD police officer. During this episode, Vic talks about growing up in New York and what led him to a career in law enforcement. He tells very entertaining stories about his time on patrol and his work as an auto crimes detective. Vic also talks about what it was like to be on ground zero following 9/11. During his career, Vic was part of the anti-crime

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152:46

Episode 88 retired San Diego Police Department...

Reasons We Serve ·

2024/12/22

Interview with retired San Diego Police Department Sergeant Detective David ContrerasYears of Service: 1985-2015Born in Tijuana, Mexico, David came to the United States and, as a young child, knew he wanted to become a police officer. As David explains, he always had a sheepdog mentality and was always looking to defend the weaker kids who were getting picked on by bullies and saw law enforcement as a way to protect others who were being preyed upon.As a young man, David became the founder and

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120:21

Episode 87 retired ATF Special Agent Roland Ballesteros

Reasons We Serve ·

2024/12/15

Interview with retired ATF Special Agent Roland Ballesteros. Years of Service: 1987-2018Roland grew up in Texas in a large family with a history of law enforcement going back to the 1800s to his great, great, great grandfather, who was a deputy sheriff. That service history continued through his family, with one brother becoming an ATF Special Agent and another working for the Air Force and, ultimately, the NSA.As Roland was searching for what to do with his life, one brother took him for a ride

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