A Message from the Host XIV: Mill Creek Ranch General Manager Norm Bissonnette

Episode 98 Dallas Fire and Rescue Lieutenant and Dallas Fire Fighter Association President Jeff Patterson

Today we sit down with the Dallas Firefighter Association President Jeff Patterson.

After growing up in Plano Texas, Jeff answered the call to serve in 2008 when he applied for the Dallas Fire Department and once, he stepped into that role and into the firehouse he knew that he was where he needed to be. He then had a second family as he now was a firefighter in Dallas and was assigned to one of the busiest areas in one of the most violent parts of Dallas.

On May 3rd, 2014, Jeff and his team answered a house fire call in the 4700 block of Chilton in Dallas and his life and his family’s life changed forever.

Jeff found himself trapped in the burning house and had to be dragged out from a window by one of his teammates, but the damage had been done.

He suffered third degree burns to nearly half of his body and was placed into a medically induced coma for six weeks to recover from these burns.

During this stay in the Parkland Burn ICU and his stay at Zale Lipshy enduring rehab his beautiful wife was diagnosed with cancer.

Another life hurdle for the Patterson family but as their friends and family bonded together they came out the other side stronger and with a different mission to give back.

This episode will release on the ten year anniversary of this incident.

This is the story resiliency, fait, and sheer willpower to survive and serve.

Critical Incident:

5/3/2014 on the 4700 block of Chilton.

Episode 97 Dallas Police Officer Cullen Gordon #12365: Never Forget

We often hear the saying, "You are a product of your environment," and indeed, there is undeniable truth to this. Our upbringing, the values instilled in us by our families, and the communities we grow up in shape who we are and who we become. For many of us, we are born into families with long-standing traditions, passed down from generation to generation. These traditions can be cultural, religious, or even professional. They serve as a foundation, a guiding light that provides us with a sense of identity and belonging. While these traditions provide us with a solid foundation, they should not be a limitation. Each one of us possesses the freedom and the responsibility to carve our own path, to explore new possibilities, and to chase our dreams. It's essential to honor and respect our family traditions, but it's equally crucial to find our own voice and to follow our passions. Carving your own path doesn't mean forgetting where you come from. On the contrary, it means carrying forward the lessons, the values, and the wisdom of those who came before us. It means building upon their legacy, adding our own unique experiences and perspectives to create something new and meaningful. In this journey of self-discovery and personal growth, we must never forget those who have passed before us. They are the architects of our heritage, the keepers of our stories, and the guardians of our values. Their wisdom, sacrifices, and love continue to guide us, even in their absence. So, as we navigate the complexities of life, let us cherish the traditions that have shaped us, but let us also have the courage to explore uncharted territories. Let us honor the memory of those who have passed by living our lives with purpose, integrity, and compassion.

In memory of Micheal Patrick Gordon ~ End of Watch August 8, 2004

A Message From The Host XV: Carry The Load 2024

Welcome back for our 15th Message From the Host!

Today we will feature one of our great partners in the Carry the Load organization.

This great organization started as a grass roots movement in Dallas to restore the true meaning of Memorial Day. It has since grown to a national movement as they have raised over 42 million dollars with a staggering 93% of the monies raised going to the programs for military and first responders and their families. Carry the Load has donated over 800,000 dollars to the ATO since our partnership started.

We sit down with Active Dallas Officers Joe Meno, ATO Chairman Ed Lujan and Sgt. Tony Andujar as they tell the listener their unique stories of what this event means to them.

They will let us know who they are carrying and why in this years national relays.

Also participating in this years CTL relay are Mike Gonzalez, Thomas Ranshaw, Scott Crump, Priscilla Hernandez, retired officers Miguel Sarimento and Beth Sundquist who is New England team captain.

If you would like to find out more information on Carry the Load please go to www.carrytheload.org

In Memory of:

The Colony Fire Department Jeffrey Scott Bell. EOW: 8/8/22

Dallas Sgt. Mike Smith EOW: 7/7/16

Dallas Sr. Cpl. Lorne Ahrens EOW: 7/8/16

Dallas Police Officer Michael Krol EOW: 7/7/16

Dallas Officer Patrick Zamarripa EOW: 7/7/16

Dart Officer Brent Thompson EOW: 7/7/16

Dallas Officer Mitchell Penton EOW: 2/13/21

Dallas Officer Jose De LA Rocha EOW: 8/20/23

Dallas Officer Jacob Arellano 10/12/22

As we draw near to Memorial Day we would like everyone to reflect on the holidays true meaning and ask yourself…WHO ARE YOU CARRYING?

Episode 96 Fort Worth Police Sgt. Scott Banes #3551: A Call to Duty

Today we sit down with another member of the Banes law enforcement family in Fort Worth PD’s very own Scott Banes.

Scott has been a member of the FWPD since 2005 and has worked patrol, the Special Response Team, Crimes Against Children Unit, Major Case Unit, SRT, CIT, and is currently the Sgt. over the Fentanyl Overdose Team.

Scott is married to a true bad in Karen as she is a six time BJJ World Champion and owner of Genisis Jiu Jitsu and they are parent to four beautiful kids.

We will get a history lesson on the great city of Forth Worth and its PD but also walk through several critical incidents with Scott and how each impacted him.

His identical twin brother, the Great Matt Banes, sits in to tell this story of a nearly two-decade law enforcement officer that found himself at a cross roads in life when he found himself wrestling with a decision to pursue a lucrative career in construction or to follow his call to duty.

After this episode you will understand his decision and also see a sheepdog in this guest.

Both of these individuals are necessary in this world to help battle evil and to act as protectors to those who cannot defend themselves and are also the type of men, type of officers that would die protecting you.

Welcome the Banes twins, Scott and Matt.

Critical Incidents Discussed:

OIS involving a wanted fugitive motorcycle gang member who was attempting to flee to Mexico after sexually assaulting a twelve year old girl.

OIS involving a wanted fugitive when FWPD followed the suspect in an unmarked vehicle.

July 7th 2016 Dallas Texas when a gunman murdered five officers and injured several others. Scott’s twin brother, Matt, was in SWAT at the time and was involved in a shootout with the suspect in El Centro College.

Discussion on FWPD’s efforts to combat the fentanyl drug epidemic.

Episode 95 Former Dallas Police Fugitive Unit Detective Daniel Jamieson #9370

Welcome back ATO Family

Today we are sitting with one of the original members of the Dallas Police Fugitive Unit in Daniel Jamieson.

Daniel hired on with the Dallas Police Department in February of 2008 and trained at the Southeast Patrol before moving to Northwest Patrol.

In 2012 Dallas Police Chief David Brown created a brand-new unit called METRO that was designed to follow violent crime trends and began hunting fugitives in the City.

In 2017 this unit morphed into the new Fugitive, and they quickly became every investigative units new best friend as they tracked and hunted down the City’s most violent offenders. Daniel found himself to have a knack for using intelligence and his relentless desire to catch the bad guy as he excelled as a plain clothes Detective in this unit.

This episode will follow the career of an extremely dedicated and accomplished husband, father and law enforcement officer that survived officer involved shootings, tragedy from July 7th, and the successes of putting handcuffs on some of the most evil people in Dallas Texas.

However, in May of 2022 life turned on a dime for this incredible servant as he found himself in a nightmare as he was arrested for DWI and his life and career would be forever changed.

We are hoping this episode could serve as a cautionary tale to everyone that wakes up every day and struggles with life to know that demons, left unchecked, can change lives forever. Even heroes can stumble.

To tell this story one of Daniel’s great friends, Sgt. Omar Figueroa sits in to have his partners back as he exhibits the utmost vulnerability as he shares this story in hopes that others can learn from his successes and his failures.

If anyone out there listens to this and can see themselves in this story….Please reach out and get help. You are Not Alone.

Critical Incidents Discussed:

Officer involved shooting in 2009 on Mesita Dr.

Dixon Circle Shooting

2015 Headquarters Attack

July 7th, 2016, incident in downtown Dallas

Daniel Jamieson’s arrest on May 25th, 2022, in Mckinney Texas