• BATTLES & TRANSFORMATIONS: FROM WARTIME VET TO STREET COP
    Nov 17 2025


    Daniel Malek is a Marine in the United States Marine Corps. He served between 2000-2008 as a corporal and served in Iraq as an OIF Vet. He Joined the LAPD in 2005 where he has worked patrol, the gang unit & is now a field training officer, where he trains probationary officers.

    Malek and I have worked patrol at the same precinct for the better part of 10 years. Him and I have always had intense conversations about what it takes to be on patrol. Through the years I have seen his progression and maturity develop as we have gone through politically murky times.

    He’s a genuine warrior, father and a real cop’s cop. After podcasting with him I can truly say that both young coppers AND brass can learn a ton from his insight and approach to policing.

    Thanks for listening and supporting what we do.

    I hope you enjoy this podcast.

    TIMELINE:

    00:02:00 - The Beard: Yay or Nay

    00:05:00 - Tradition: Marine Corp vs Law Enforcement

    00:08:00 - The "Dragon Wagon"

    00:14:00 - Training: Applying USMC principles to law enforcement

    0018:00 - Transitioning: From Marine to Street Cop

    00:28:00 - Caliber of Probationers, then vs now

    00:37:00 - "Shogun” by James Clavell

    00:44:00 - Transformation

    00:47:00 - Muay Thai

    00:55:00 - Physical Fitness

    00:58:00 - Retirement

    00:59:00 - Hypothetically speaking, advice and insight to his daughter the police officer.

    01:08:27 - In honor of Marine Sgt. Major Robert J. Cottle, Killed in Action March 24, 2010

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    1 hr and 13 mins
  • The Bloodhound Warrior: Pain, Peace and the Facade of Perfection, with Joe Cirrito
    Oct 31 2025

    THE FALLEN BUT NOT FORGOTTEN PODCAST:
    “The Bloodhound Warrior: Pain, Peace and the Facade of Perfection, with Joe Cirrito”
    ___________________________________

    I sat down with my friend and fellow street copper, Joe Cirrito.

    Joe is a New York City native, who was inspired by his friend, Fallen Officer Dominick Pezullo, to move to Los Angeles California and become a police officer.

    Since then he’s accomplished tons of endurance runs like marathons in uniforms & ultra marathons. He’s ran from LA to Sacramento in full uniform & leads a yearly 24-hour workout on 9/11 named “The Dom” after his friend.

    We take a deep dive into how he gets through the pain of his endurance runs and extreme workouts.
    ___________________________________

    TIMELINE:

    00:02:15 - Tobacco Pipes
    00:08::00 - Finding peace in a frenzied mind
    00:11:00 - Trail runs & daydreams
    00:13:20 - Laziness
    00:14:20 - Pain
    00:17:35 - Inspiration
    00:20:20 - “The inner governor” -Goggins
    00:23:00 - The spirit of a bloodhound
    00:24:00 - Extreme measures
    00:28:00 - The power of people
    00:36:46 - The bond with Kristina Tudor
    00:38:20 - Lt Humphries
    00:39:45 - Mileage count vs humility
    00:42:25 - The treachery & the beauty of California’s “Grapevine”
    00:49:45 - Books & leaderships. “The Need to Lead” by Dave Berke & books by Jocko Willink.
    00:55:00 - Perfection in policing
    00:59:50 - Figure it out
    01:04:27 - Skittles galore & brown piss
    01:07:30 - Project Endure 3 and shark repellent
    01:08:10 - What’s next?
    01:13:00 - Joe shares a heartfelt dedication to Deputy Andrew Nunez of San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department End of Watch October 27th 2025



    #thefallenbutnotforgottenpodcast #bluecoatfoundation #endurancerun #ultramarathon #thedom #dominicpezullo #projectendure #officerjoecirrito #nonprofit #deputyandrewnunez #sanbernardinosheriffsoffice #davidgoggins #jockowillink #daveberke #theneedtolead #policeofficer #podcast #lawenforcement

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    1 hr and 16 mins
  • From Tanks to Black-and-Whites & the Letter That Was Never Meant to be Written
    Jul 10 2025

    On this episode I have a conversation with Ismael Carlos. Ismael has worked as an officer for Santa Monica College PD and is currently a police officer fo the Los Angeles Police Department. He served in the United States military as a tanker in the Marine Corps and served in Combat in Iraq. Carlos dedicates this podcast to his Godson, Ethan Carlos, who passed away recently at a very young age. Please support the Ethan Carlos Foundation, a nonprofit organization, by going to ethancarlos.org.

    This podcast holds a ton of value for all of us in law enforcement and for those in the military. Please listen, tell us what you think and share this episode with someone you think it can help.

    Timestamps:

    00:01:25 - 1999: Joining the US Marine Corps
    00:03:00 - Rio Hondo: Paying your own way through the academy
    00:05:00 - We got a tanker job, "Sign me up!”=
    00:06:00 - Straight outtta Whittier
    00:08:00 - From Tankers to Black & Whites
    00:10:00 - Deployment after the September 11th attack
    00:12:30 - Warriorhood
    00:14:00 - Pushing in, arriving in Kuwait
    00:17:00 - The “Death Letter"
    00:19:00 - Faith and survival
    00:21:00 - Survival mode, training, completing the mission then processing
    00:23:00 - Maturity and self-awareness
    00:25:00 - Being scared vs Cautionary fear, mental preparedness of a warrior
    00:27:00 - Experiencing loss during combat
    00:31:00 - Appreciation
    00:33:00 - The newer generation of officers
    00:36:00 - Leadership
    00:45:00 - Getting into a shooting
    00:46:36 - An officer's wellbeing is part of the department's assets
    00:48:00 - Burnout
    00:49:00 - 2020 Riots
    00:51:00 - Empathy-forward leadership
    00:53:38 - Self reflection: What type of leader will I be?
    00:55:00 - Dedication: Ethan Carlos

    #thefallenbutnotforgottenpodcast #bluecoatfoundation #usmc #policeofficer #podcast #lawenforcement



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    56 mins
  • Leadership, Bear Hugs & Prayer: A Widow & Daughter's Perspective
    Jun 17 2025


    On this podcast episode I have a conversation with Tania Owens, widow Sgt Steve Owens. Sgt Owens died in the line-of-duty on October 5th 2016 when he responded to a burglary call in Lancaster, California. This was a very emotional interview as it was recorded at Sgt Owen’s mother’s house. Sgt Owen’s daughter also joined in the talk to give her insight as the child of a fallen deputy.


    Timeline:

    00:01:16 - Discovering Law Enforcement

    00:03:00 - Undercover Narcotics

    07:38:00 - Child Abuse Investigator

    00:12:00 - The legacy of Steve Owen

    00:14:30 -The love story

    00:21:00 - The value of the heart of a God-fearing man

    00:24:00 - A daughter’s perspective

    00:45:30 - A word of advice to spouses of law enforcement

    00:49:00 - The last moment together

    00:50:15 - The phone call

    00:52:00 - The arrival at the hospital

    01:10:00 -Anger, regret & sadness

    01:12:00 - Bear hugs

    01:15:00 - After care

    01:17:00 - The legacy of leadership and humility

    01:19:55 - Prayer

    In honor of Sergeant Steve C. Owen, Los Angeles County Sheriff

    Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, California

    End of Watch Wednesday, October 5, 2016

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    1 hr and 22 mins
  • Historical Beginnings and the Passion for Police Work: With Andre Burton
    May 3 2025

    Officer Andre Burton is a Field Training Officer in the LAPD. His passion for his career goes back into a rich family history of first responders in the City of Los Angeles.


    Timestamp:

    00:01:38 – Podcast guest open invite!
    00:02:11 – The start of a career in law enforcement
    00:03:13 – A deeply rooted family affair
    00:05:45 – Love story of Ruby Earl Boyd, one of the first Black sheriff to patrol Firestone
    00:07:00 – Patrolling the streets and coming across living history
    00:09:00 – A sign of the times “Draw down”
    00:13:00 – Dorothy Fitzgerald
    00:14:00 – The Fire Academy vs Police Academy
    00:16:00 – Ancestry and memorabilia
    00:18:26 – The good ol’ pension. Worth a gander.
    00:21:00 – Street cop vs. promotions
    00:23:00 – Observing FTO culture
    00:25:00 – How a trainee learns
    00:28:00 – Recounting podcast with Sheriff Villanueva
    00:30:00 – Passion, motivation & defining a good street cop.
    00:37:00 – 2014, a tragic year for LAPD
    00:39:00 – Pursuits, ambushes, OIS’s & the emotions that follow
    00:53:00 – Chris closes out with a follow up invitation



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    54 mins
  • Military, Law Enforcement & a Horse Named Lyra
    Apr 25 2025

    THE FALLEN BUT NOT FORGOTTEN PODCAST:

    Military, Law Enforcement & a Horse Named Lyra

    David O’Brien is a United States Marine and an LAPD Police Officer. He has worked the Gang Unit and is currently assigned to night watch patrol.

    Timestamps:

    00:01:18 The Clapperboard Intro

    A gift from Chris's spirit sister, which adds a professional touch to this laidback podcast of sharing memories, experiences and riveting moments of a patrolman's career


    00:01:47 - Natalie Blue

    00:03:30 - Horses and dogs

    00:16:30 - Military vs. Law Enforcement

    00:28:00 - Purpose and navigating trauma

    00:36:00 - The mindset & deadly force

    00:45:00 - Tradition

    00:49:00 - Leadership

    00:56:00 - (video goes out-audio only)

    00:57:45 - Fear

    1:01:00 - Cloning complacent officers

    1:06:00 - The 5 Commandments

    1:09:00 - Discipline

    1:15:00 - Culture

    1:22:00 - Legacy

    1:27:00 - O'Brien dedicates this podcast to Police Officer II Fernando Uriel Arroyos End of Watch January 10, 2022

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    1 hr and 27 mins
  • When Times Get Tough: Music, Reading, Training & Personal Care
    Apr 17 2025

    THE FALLEN BUT NOT FORGOTTEN PODCAST

    Summary:

    Patrick Sloey is a Field Training Officer for the Los Angeles Police Department. He has worked multiple agencies and now trains probationers on how to be proficient street coppers. We work side-by-side on patrol. We do a deep dive into self-care and managing the inevitable traumas that come with police work both in the professional life and the personal life.

    Time stamp

    00:01:26 - Neon moon by Brooks & Dunn

    00:02:31 - "Meditations" by Marcus Aurelius

    00:05:21 - Strength through support systems

    00:10:00 - Career choices

    00:14:00 - Adapt or drown

    00:18:20 - The "Almost" incident

    00:27:00 - Managing the feelings

    00:30:00 - Preventive care & a personal trainer

    00:35:00 - The stigma of therapy

    00:42:50 - Drinking responsibly

    00:43:55 - Podcast Dedication: Sgt Adrian Jordan, EOW December 29th 2024

    #thefallenbutnotforgottenpodcast #bluecoatfoundation #stress #selfcare #policeofficer #podcast #lawenforcement



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    46 mins
  • Self-Publishing, Self-Reflection and the Challenges of Everyday Street Cops: With Christian Wecker
    Apr 12 2025

    On this episode I sat down with Christian Wecker. Wecker authored the book, THE TICKET, and has over 30-years law enforcement experience. 3 of those years are with MTA and 27 years are with the LAPD. He’s worked 77th, Harbor, Newton, Wilshire and is currently assigned to the Los Angeles Police Protective League.

    Timestamp & Topics


    00:01:16 - TC at Crenshaw & Florence

    00:03:00 - When a call for help takes a turn

    00:04:30 - Why Promote?

    00:06:20 - Street Cop Pride

    00:07:25 - The art of storytelling

    00:11:29 - Self publishing

    00:14:00 - Non-cops & the inside view

    00:16:00 - Promotion & disconnect

    00:19:00 - Impossible circumstances & doing the right thing

    00:23:52 - Relationships: command staff vs street coppers

    00:32:00 - Empathy

    00:34:00 - Alcoholism & mental wellness

    00:39:00 - Policing with confidence

    00:44:00 - Deadly force

    00:47:00 - Transitioning out of the police profession

    00:54:00 - Podcast dedication: Officer Ricardo Lizarraga, EOW February 20, 2004



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    56 mins