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Law Enforcement Talk: True Crime and Trauma Stories

Law Enforcement Talk: True Crime and Trauma Stories

By: John "Jay" Wiley Bleav
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 True Crime with a twist. By and from those that have been there. Crime stories from those that investigated crimes and caught criminals. Also victims of crimes tell about their experience. Plus trauma stories, by those that have been through it. Often crime based, but not always, people talk about the trauma, how it impacted them and how they built their lives after. Law Enforcement Talk: True Crime and Trauma Stories Radio Show and It is a True Crime Show, a Law Enforcement Officer Show and a Human Interest show all in one. Get a glimpse of life behind the badge, investigations of true crimes, violence they encounter and experience. Law enforcement officers, first responders, military veterans, victims of crime and their families tell their stories of the trauma they experienced mostly regarding True Crime incidents. They also talk about how they built their new lives they wanted afterwards. While many people think the show is about Law Enforcement Training, or Law Enforcement specific topis, it is not, think of True Crime Podcasts with a twist. The Law Enforcement Talk Show goes to radio first. Therefore it is required that I use a clock for the length of segments. You've probably seen on television news interviews that they have a hard break. It's the same with radio. The stations have to be able to program in their commercials, news, weather, traffic reports etc. These are called avails, they are NOT Optional. Every guest knows about and is informed of the length of the segments and that I will interrupt them if needed to go to the break. The interviews are recorded and the guests know that the segments must be in a certain length and it is required and they get to tell their stories to millions of people for free. The bi-weekly podcast version of the syndicated Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show, with numerous affiliate US Radio Stations, broadcasting once a week to millions of people. The show host, John "Jay" Wiley, is a radio DJ and Retired Baltimore Police Sergeant. The show started as a podcast, before being recruited by terrestrial AM-FM radio stations and has been in continuous operation since March of 2017. You can reach him at jay@letradio.com. Background song Hurricane used by permission from the band Dark Horse Flyer, get more information about them and their music on their website. You can follow us and connect on social media, if you are in the Clubhouse Drop In Audio App make sure you follow our club LET Radio and Podcast. You can also find and follow the host of the show John J Wiley on the Clubhouse Drop In Audio Chat program. Be sure to check out our website. Like and follow our facebook page. Our Twitter account. Also on Instagram.2025 John Jay Wiley Personal Development Personal Success Politics & Government Social Sciences
Episodes
  • The Truth About Being a Cop: Lessons From a Reserve Deputy

    The Truth About Being a Cop: Lessons From a Reserve Deputy
    Oct 12 2025
    The Truth About Being a Cop: Lessons From a Reserve Deputy in Colorado. A Special Episode of the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast. Hollywood and the media often paint a glamorous, high-speed picture of police work. But as Len Herstein, a Reserve Deputy in Colorado, reveals, the truth is far more complex, and far more human. The Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast promoted across their Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , Medium and other social media platforms. “It’s far more boring, far more dangerous, and far more impactful on your mental and physical health than most people realize,” Len says during a special episode of the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast, now available on their website, also on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Youtube and many other podcast platforms. This is The Truth About Being a Cop, a story about service, sacrifice, and the lessons policing can teach us all about vigilance, leadership, and life. Look for supporting articles about this and much more from Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast in platforms like Medium , Blogspot and Linkedin . A Late Calling to Serve At age 45, Len Herstein traded business meetings for patrol briefings. After decades in marketing and entrepreneurship, he joined the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office as a Reserve Deputy Sheriff, a volunteer position that requires up to 850 hours of service per year. The Truth About Being a Cop: Lessons From a Reserve Deputy in Colorado. A Special Episode of the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast “I do police work for free,” Len explains. “People think I’m crazy when they hear that, but for me, it’s about giving back. It’s about being part of the solution.” Available for free on their website and streaming on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other podcast platforms. Douglas County, Colorado is located between Denver and Colorado Springs, it is one of the fastest-growing areas in the state. For Len, it’s also a classroom for learning lessons that reach far beyond the badge. “Complacency Kills” — The Lesson That Changed Everything Early in his training, Len learned one of the most important principles in law enforcement: “Complacency kills.” The Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast episode is available for free on their website , Apple Podcasts , Spotify and most major podcast platforms. “When you stop paying attention, when you assume things are safe, that’s when the danger strikes,” he says. “That lesson hit me hard, and it applies to every part of life and business.” This revelation became the inspiration behind his book, Be Vigilant! Strategies to Stop Complacency, Improve Performance, and Safeguard Success, where Len connects lessons from policing to the world of leadership and marketing. The Truth About Being a Cop: Lessons From a Reserve Deputy in Colorado. A Special Episode of the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast Lessons for Business, Marketing, and Leadership Before becoming a Deputy, Len spent more than 30 years in the corporate world, building brands for Coca-Cola, Campbell Soup Company, and Nabisco. He later founded ManageCamp Inc., where he produced 19 annual Brand ManageCamp marketing conferences, attracting leaders from companies like Facebook, Apple, and Google. The full podcast episode is streaming now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and across Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. But his time in law enforcement taught him something no boardroom ever could. “Policing forces you to be aware, to anticipate threats before they appear,” Len says. “That’s exactly what businesses need to survive in today’s world. Complacency can be fatal, whether you’re on the street or in the C-suite.” His blend of law enforcement experience and marketing expertise has made him a sought-after speaker and thought leader, teaching organizations how to build vigilance into their culture and operations. Why Complacency Is the Real Enemy “Success can be deadly,” Len explains. “When things are going well, you stop looking for threats. You stop improving.” The Truth About Being a Cop: Lessons From a Reserve Deputy in Colorado. A Special Episode of the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast. He warns that complacency doesn’t just affect performance, it affects people. It can lower morale, waste money, and create the kind of blind spots that competitors exploit. “The same mindset that keeps a cop alive can keep a company thriving,” Len adds. “Vigilance isn’t paranoia, it’s preparation.” These lessons resonate across industries, especially in a digital landscape where Facebook, Instagram, and social media marketing can shift overnight. “Online, one wrong move can damage your brand,” he says. “Vigilance protects both reputations and relationships.” The Human Side of the Badge Herstein’s experience as a Reserve Deputy in Colorado also sheds light on the emotional and psychological toll ...
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    40 mins
  • Death in a Police Battle, Trauma as a Combat Veteran and Childhood

    Death in a Police Battle, Trauma as a Combat Veteran and Childhood
    Oct 8 2025
    Death in a Police Battle, Trauma as a Combat Veteran and Childhood.“From surviving horrific childhood abuse to fighting wars overseas, and later facing tragedy in uniform, Joe Smarro’s life is a story of trauma, transformation, and a relentless drive to heal.” This episode of the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast, available for free on our website, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Youtube and most podcast platforms. Joe Smarro, a former San Antonio Police Officer and decorated U.S. Marine Corps combat veteran, has walked through some of life’s darkest battles, both internal and external. His story begins in a childhood marked by extreme abuse, physical, emotional, and sexual. “I experienced things no child ever should,” Joe shares. “I left home at 15 just to survive.” The Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast promoted across their Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , Medium and other social media platforms. By 17, he was a father, a role that forced him to grow up even faster. With the responsibilities of parenthood and the desire to build a better future, Joe joined the United States Marine Corps. He deployed twice to Iraq, serving in both Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, earning recognition for his bravery and service. But like so many others, Joe came home from war carrying invisible wounds. Look for supporting stories about this and much more from Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast in platforms like Medium , Blogspot and Linkedin . After leaving the military, Joe found a new sense of duty in law enforcement, joining the San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) in 2005. However, his time as an officer would soon test him in ways he could never have imagined. While still a probationary officer, Joe was involved in a violent confrontation that ended in a death in a police battle. “It was the moment everything changed,” he recalls. “The fight, the death, the silence afterward, it all forced me to confront the trauma I’d been burying since childhood and combat.” Death in a Police Battle, Trauma as a Combat Veteran and Childhood. That moment became a turning point. Joe began to realize that his struggles, his pain, guilt, and emotional turmoil, were not weaknesses but warning signs. Signs that he, like many others, was carrying deep trauma as a combat veteran and as a police officer. Instead of running from it, Joe made a choice, to face it head-on and help others do the same. Available for free on their website and streaming on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other podcast platforms. Joe became one of the founding members of the SAPD Mental Health Unit (MHU), a groundbreaking program created to improve how police respond to individuals in crisis. What began as a small initiative grew into a nationally recognized model for compassionate policing, earning national and international awards for excellence. “We wanted to change the narrative, to bring empathy back to policing,” Joe explains. For more than 11 years, Joe served in that unit, developing training and protocols that have since influenced departments across the United States. His work, both on the streets and behind the scenes, showed that when law enforcement meets mental health with compassion, lives are saved, and trust is rebuilt. Joe’s story gained national attention through the Emmy Award-winning documentary, Ernie & Joe: Crisis Cops, which follows two officers as they work to change how police respond to mental health calls in San Antonio. The film, supported by the IDA Enterprise Fund, Fork Films, and The Lovell Foundation, has been shown worldwide, sparking critical conversations about mental health, policing, and reform. Death in a Police Battle, Trauma as a Combat Veteran and Childhood. The Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast episode is available for free on their website , Apple Podcasts , Spotify and most major podcast platforms. He also took his message to the stage, delivering a powerful TEDx San Antonio talk titled “I See You,” where he shared his belief in the power of empathy, understanding, and human connection. “We all want to be seen,” Joe said during that talk. “We all want to know we matter.” In 2017, Joe founded SolutionPoint+, a company dedicated to bridging the gap between criminal justice and behavioral health systems. As CEO, he leads a team that provides training, consulting, and speaking engagements nationwide, helping police departments, healthcare providers, and organizations create trauma-informed, emotionally intelligent workplaces. Joe’s personal mission has evolved into a powerful national movement. His “big, hairy, audacious goal” is to eradicate suicide among all first responders, starting with law enforcement officers. “No one should have to carry their trauma alone,” Joe says. “Not a child, not a combat veteran, and not a cop.” His work has been featured across major News outlets, on the Law ...
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    40 mins
  • Life After Police Work: And Yes, Old Dogs Can Learn New Tricks

    Life After Police Work: And Yes, Old Dogs Can Learn New Tricks
    Oct 5 2025
    Life After Police Work: And Yes, Old Dogs Can Learn New Tricks, Special Episode of the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast. Where John Jay Wiley is a guest on the "Don’t Be Caged By Your Age” Podcast. For many, retirement means slowing down. But for John Jay Wiley, a retired Baltimore Police Sergeant turned nationally syndicated radio broadcaster, life after police work became an opportunity to reinvent himself and inspire others along the way. The Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast promoted across their Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , Medium and other social media platforms. In a recent special episode of the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast, Wiley appeared as a guest on Ande Lyons’ Don’t Be Caged By Your Age podcast, a program dedicated to helping people thrive after 65. The conversation focused on resilience, reinvention, and breaking age stereotypes, proving that, yes, old dogs can learn new tricks. This is a special episode of the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast, available for free on our website, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Youtube and most podcast platforms. The episode, available for free on the Law Enforcement Talk Radio website, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and most podcast platforms, has been promoted across Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Medium, and other social media outlets. Look for supporting stories about this and much more from Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast in platforms like Medium , Blogspot and Linkedin . From Police Sergeant to Podcaster “I remember being in the Baltimore Police Academy in 1980 and an instructor telling us that the average maximum age for a Baltimore Police Officer at that time was 52, and that many of them died within two years of retirement,” Wiley recalled. “That hit me like a ton of bricks. Although I could never imagine myself being that old at the time.” READ THIS FREE ARTICLE: 3 Tips to Help You Stand Out from the Crowd. Wiley’s law enforcement career ended abruptly after a career-ending injury, forcing him to make a difficult decision about what came next. Instead of allowing the setback to define his future, Wiley pivoted toward broadcasting, a leap that would eventually redefine his life. Life After Police Work: And Yes, Old Dogs Can Learn New Tricks, Special Episode of the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast. Available for free on their website and streaming on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other podcast platforms. Over time, he built a successful second career as a nationally syndicated radio host and podcaster, launching the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show to give first responders, veterans, and their families a platform to share their real, unfiltered stories. “Resilience and mental health are topics we can’t ignore,” Wiley shared. “Our show isn’t about headlines or quick soundbites, it’s about honest, authentic voices that deserve to be heard.” Embracing Technology: Old Dogs, New Tricks Beyond radio, Wiley faced another major challenge, technology. The world had gone digital, and for someone whose professional beginnings predated smartphones and social media, the learning curve was steep. The Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast episode is available for free on their website , Apple Podcasts , Spotify and most major podcast platforms. “The question was, could this old dog learn new tricks?” Wiley joked. “Not only did I have to embrace technology, but I had to use it as a tool, to grow financially, expand my reach, and create multiple streams of revenue.” Today, Wiley connects with audiences across Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, and podcast platforms like Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Through these channels, he’s built a national and international following, all while keeping the mission at the heart of his work, amplifying the voices of first responders. Life After Police Work: And Yes, Old Dogs Can Learn New Tricks, Special Episode. Challenging Age Stereotypes Ande Lyons, host of Don’t Be Caged By Your Age, praised Wiley’s energy and authenticity: “John Jay is a remarkable storyteller and advocate. He’s living proof that thriving after 65 is possible, and that old assumptions about aging no longer apply. His courage to adapt and grow is exactly what inspires my audience.” Lyons’ show celebrates pro-aging perspectives, weekly conversations with individuals who defy outdated expectations about what life “should” look like after 60. Her mission is to provide ideas, resources, and motivation for anyone seeking to flourish in later life. Wiley’s story fit perfectly into that vision. The full podcast episode is streaming now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and across Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. READ THIS FREE ARTICLE: Unplug and Disconnect for Success: The Power of Intentional Disconnection During the interview, they also discussed ageism, which Wiley addressed candidly: “Ageism is something ...
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    37 mins
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