On September 11th 2024 we hosted our 3rd Annual honor workout, THE DOM, in conjunction with our 3rd PROJECT ENDURE.

Officer Joe Cirrito completed a 24-hour workout in honor of his friend, Dominic Pezullo, who died in the line-of-duty when the Twin Towers fell on 9/11.

During the event, I had the honor to talk with a 27-year retired police officer from the same police department Officer Pezullo was from, The Port Authority Police Department.

Robert (Bobby) Egbert was there on 9/11. We talk about his experience that day and how it has affected his life since. I want to thank Bobby for being so open and honest with such a sensitive topic.

Bobby dedicates this podcast to the 65 Port Authority police officers who have died in the line-of-duty, especially the PAPD 37 who perished on 9/11.

Timestamps:

00:01:38 “The Dom”

00:03:15 The power of remembering our police lineage. “…working in the shadows of incredible heroes.”

00:04:54 LAPD Officer Joe Cirrito

00:09:25 Becoming a cop.

00:12:00 Choices made on 9/11

00:14:00 Deploying to The World Trade Center

0030:00 Trauma & balance.

00:32:00 The power of talking it out.

00:34:00 Unbecoming: When do we become human again?

00:36:00 The Gift of Acceptance

00:38:00 Surrounded by death.

00:40:00 The culture and the mindset

00:42:00 The Holy S*#t Factor

00:46:00 Empathy is not possible, and that’s ok.

00:50:00 Mental Health

00:52:00 Suicide

01:02:00 The reality of an OIS (officer involved shooting) and critical incidents.

01:13:00 Gratitude and a lesson learned: “The World Trade Center” vs “Ground Zero”

01:17:00 Big City vs Small Town policing

01:18:00 Podcast dedication

01:22:00 Captain Kathy Mazza

Some of Bobby’s publishings:

Running to honor the fallen - American Police Beat Magazine

https://apbweb.com/2018/11/running-to-honor-the-fallen/

Where our stories are - American Police Beat Magazine

https://apbweb.com/2024/05/where-our-stories-are/

https://apbweb.com/2019/08/rebuilding-after-9-11/

Misunderstood - American Police Beat Magazine

https://apbweb.com/2023/07/misunderstood/

Safety pin - American Police Beat Magazine

https://apbweb.com/2023/05/safety-pin/

https://apbweb.com/2023/02/keys/

The Deuce - American Police Beat Magazine

https://apbweb.com/2022/10/the-deuce/

My 9/11 — well, what I remember of it - American Police Beat Magazine

https://apbweb.com/2022/09/my-9-11-well-what-i-remember-of-it/

In memory of a homeless veteran - American Police Beat Magazine

https://apbweb.com/2019/11/in-memory-of-a-homeless-veteran/

Shad Stilkey and I, Chris Jay, have a nostalgic conversation with retired LAPD Lieutenant Barbara.

Dedicated to Police Officer Vincent Lawrence Leusch, EOW Sept 22, 1075

Timeline:

01:14 - For the love of gaming

07:44 - 1968: The Beginning of a Career

08:20 - Day-1 on the Beat

17:00 - Watts Riots

23:12 - The 1992 LA Riots

27:18 - The leadership of Chief Gates

28:41 - Woman in Law Enforcement

34:10 - Fallen Officer Vince Leusch

35:58 - LAPD Station Names

38:56 - Body Armor

45:04 - The impact of being off-duty when a partner officer goes down

46:42 - Hand to hand combat training, then vs now

51:04 - Lethal vs non-lethal

52:47 - Bell bottoms vs Flares

54:44 - Being a cop in the 70's

56:13 - The change in the 80's

57:00 - From Revolvers to 92F’s

1:00:17 - Lt Barabara saves Chris J

1:06:11 - The importance of taking care of each other

1:08:19 - Radio frequencies and radio traffic

1:11:18 - A valuable lesson: "She is your lifeline"

01:13:57 - Low tech policing

01:23:38 - Change

01:28:39 - Favorite Police Epoch

01:29:36 - The meaning of life

THE FALLEN BUT NOT FORGOTTEN PODCAST:
“Second Roll Call”, with Alex Villanueva.

For the first time we recorded an episode with a live audience! To watch the video of the recording, click here: https://youtu.be/_wC_azpHH20?si=38SlsPORkcTdwVwY

On this episode we dive into former Sheriff Villanueva’s climb through the ranks, the future of policing & navigating line-of-duty deaths as the top sheriff.

Guest:
Alex Villanueva Former Sheriff of LA County

Co-Hosts:
•Richard Medina, LAPD Officer & surviving partner of Fallen Officer Roberto Sanchez •Joe Cirrito, LAPD Officer & friend of Fallen Officer Dominic Pezullo

Time-stamps:

00:01:19 Welcome

00:01:45 "Alex, will work" A humble down to earth start with Alex Villanueva, Former Los Angeles County Sheriff

00: 02:33 Fallen Officer Fernando Arroyo

00:03:00 Panel Introductions

00:03:44 Alex’s career path

00:06:30 Alex meets his wife, Vivian.

00:10:20 The "Rude awakening" of the 2014 Rosehedge active shooter

00:12:30 Overcoming adversity, the one thing Alex couldn't be stopped from doing.

00:14:00 A vison of change.

00:15:18 "Top dog”

00:15:57 Policing, 5-years from now.

00:20:54 Law enforcement as a career choice today.

00:24:00 Loss

00:30:00 Advice for agency leaders

00:36:00 Covid.

00:41:00 Richard Medina: Living after surviving

00:44:20 PTSD, it's perfectly ok, and The Resiliency Project

00:47:00 Joe Cirrito’s passion.

00:52:30 Back to the love story

00:53:00 Encouragement

00:55:30 Quick fire questions

Timeline:

0:0:08 Introduction.

0:00:53 Who is Father Hicks?

0:05:29 Personal triumphs

0:06:58 Hardly Davidson life

0:09:40 His mission

00:14:56 The power of prayer

00:21:00 Survival techniques

00:24:57 On duty suicide

00:26:00 Dark times, solitary souls & alcoholism

00:34:28 Therapy & mental health

00:36:00 Weakness & Remedies

00:38:00 Father Hicks’ Dedication.

00:40:00 Who does Father Hicks go to when he is in need?

00:42:00 Quick-fire questions

00:43:37 The meaning of life

00:44:18 Closing prayer

On this episode, we sit down yet again with Richard Medina, this time in his cozy garage. We chatt & riff over a cigar, a whisky & anything that comes across our minds.

In honor of his partner, Officer Roberto Sanchez, we included the YouTube video made in remembrance.

Special thanks to:
•Johnny Castro Art, for allowing us to use his amazing drawings.
• Equipe Athletics, for their continued support in creating our shirts.
https://equipeathletics.com/
• Claudia Moreno, for her unending dedication with time-stamping our podcasts.
__________________________
Outline & Timestamps:
________________________

01:54 - Hitting stogies and reminiscing

02:16 -Getting comfortable with public speaking as a survivor

12:25 - The power of writing, journaling & documenting

16:35 - It can be scary to open that door.

18:00 - The debate over what it takes to make a difference, organized and orchestrated over genuine passion.

29:01 - Who needs fancy wireless equipment, background, and scripts?

30:50 - Super Bowl, priorities, time management.

32:15 - A taste of the Stay - At - Home Dad Life.

32:36 - Chris wears an apron.

33:00 - Richard weighs out his future professional moves.

34:25 - The responsibility and the dedication to the upcoming generations.

36:16 - Training probationers as a survivor

38:44 - Patrol culture and specialized units.

40:12 - Is Chris a stage 5 clinger? What will you do when you leave your police career?

~Break~

44:24 - Chris introduces the official team running shirt, which was created for the Puerto Rico Honor Run

48:48 - Is Chris's brain too structured?

49:47 - Social Media: Friend or foe?

1:02:01 - 2024 Police Unity Tour

1:09:25 - The plans for the future are about timing.

1:10:00 - Revisiting the framing of a podcast

1:12:00 - Drinking the Kool Aid w

1:16:51 - Awkward silence as Chris Gazes into Richard's eyes.

1:17:20 - Future topics, whiskey makes the mouth dirty.

1:18:45 - What is the meaning of life?

1:19:08 - Honoring Officer Robert Sanchez

https://youtu.be/vctCjIDv7yc?si=USiiLrjgJ32jqH1w

Officer Lizarraga passed away in the line-of-duty on Friday, February 20th, 2004. I sat down and spoke with his partner, Joel Ruiz. His story is an inspirational one about healing, camaraderie and about the strong bonds of a police partnership.

Outline & Timestamps:

2:00 - “Inked in Honor”: Tattoos, connections & friendships are made. (Side note- To date Bluecoat Foundation is the only organization that puts this together)

4:00 - Project Endure 2

5:03 - Officer Lizarraga: Loyalty, making history & white chocolate mochas.

17:35 - Going Through the Motions in the Aftermath.

20:26 - Overcoming "The dark place" and survivor's guilt.

26:47 - Becoming that person that can reach out to others in need

30:00 - Debriefing after critical incident

32:26 - Receiving words of affirmation from seasoned officers.

34:20 - How can officers that work with surviving partners help?

38:00 - Backtracking to patrol days with Officer Lizarraga and the Bad Ass swivel Holster

39:44 - Officer Lizarraga's sense of humor

41:00 - Talking to Lizarraga, even today, as a way to cope

42:37 - Believing in signs :"The Chubby Bird".

46:20 - Getting that "Kick in the pants".

48:30 - Replaying scenarios in our heads.

56:32 - Bringing two cultures together Tattoo artist & Law Enforcement

01:00 - Signature drink and the meaning of others keeping the memory alive.

THE FALLEN BUT NOT FORGOTTEN PODCAST - Spanglish Edition -

“Being Shot, Losing Brothers in Battle & Healing” with Policia Angel L Colon-Guevara from Policia Estatal de Puerto Rico

This podcast is dedicated to:

The 3 officers who died in the line-of-duty during the same incident where Officer Colon-Guevara was shot:

Agent Luis A. Marrero-Díaz
EOW:1/11/21

Agent Eliezer Hernández-Cartagena EOW:1/11/21

Agent Luis X. Salamán-Conde.
EOW:1/11/21

In addition, this podcast is dedicated to Lt. Juan Baez Guerra, who recently passed. He played a father figure role for Officer through the aftermath of the incident on 1/11/21.

Outline & Timestamps:

2:45 - Becoming a cop and assignments with the Puerto Rico State Police

4:22 - Being shot on duty.

11:28 - When things don't go as planned

14:52 - Coming out of self blame.

16:35 - Importance of family support through critical incidents

19:24 - Running in 2025

21:00 - Pride doesn't allow Chris to be picked up in the “wawa” (PR term for “van”)

22:07 - Ride alongs

22:50 - Crime trends, growing population of youth offenders.

27:58 - Life, goals & prioritizing family

31:24 - Motivation on the hardest days

32:13 - Podcast Dedication

Claudia Moreno, former police officer with Fresno PD, co-hosts an interview with Chaplain Wilson Rios. Chaplain Wilson started the nonprofit, Policia TSU, an organization that is committed to remember, honor and immortalize the memory of fallen officers in Puerto Rico. https://www.facebook.com/groups/535728907448061/

We end the podcast with a song by Natalie Blue, who will perform an acoustic set for an upcoming Bluecoat Foundation Fundraiser. https://www.natalieblue.com/

This podcast is dedicated to:

Agente José Ferrer-Pabón
EOW 12/24/21
https://www.odmp.org/officer/25814-agent-jos-ferrer-pabn

&

Sargento Erasmo García- Torres
EOW 6/10/2021
https://www.odmp.org/officer/25321-sergeant-erasmo-garca-torres

Outline & Timestamps:

3:49 - Policia TSU (Todos Somos Uno)

6:10 - Inspiration for starting the non profit organization

10:43 - How connecting with surviving loved ones influenced and shaped the organization

13:10 - Chaplain follows his calling from Chaplain to Law Enforcement Chaplain

16:30 - Facing obstacles of church and state

18:10 - Overcoming obstacles

18:30 - The inclusivity and broad reach of a Chaplain

28:00 - Importance of genuine passion when running a non-profit

29:30 - Vision for Policia TSU

31:00 - Limitations to the resources of Police in Puerto Rico

32:37 - Importance of transparency

34:00 - Expanding the Blue line beyond the funeral

39:00 - Dedication

41:00 Woodworking