ATO: BRIDGING THE DIVIDE

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

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 25th 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 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 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 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

 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 Documentary Photographer and Visual Mediator Richard Sharum

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 

[email protected]

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 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 14th 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.

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