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(39:26) Our Featured Interview...In September 2015, Dominic Smith’s body was discovered floating in the Mississippi River near South Broadway in St. Louis. Former SLMPD Homicide Detective Mark Biondolino and his partner, Detective Mike Herzberg, were assigned to investigate. What followed was a complicated investigation filled with rumors, conflicting tips, South Side characters, and suspected connections to a Missouri prison gang. Despite countless leads, investigators struggled to determine who killed Smith. Then, in December 2016, an unexpected confession in an entirely different murder investigation changed everything. In this interview, Detective Biondolino walks us through the investigation, the breakthrough that finally identified the killer, and the astonishing discovery of shotgun pieces hidden inside a concrete-filled planter near South Broadway. It's a fascinating look at homicide detective work, the challenges of separating fact from rumor, and how one unexpected lead can change an entire case. #TheBrighterSideOfBlue #TBSOB #SLMPD #StLouisCrime #TrueCrime #HomicideInvestigation #ColdCase #PoliceStories #StLouisHistory

St. Louis sports history has some stories that go far beyond the playing field. This week on The Brighter Side of Blue, the guys dig into the strange and sometimes shocking connections between professional sports and crime. The 1982 Cardinals: A look back at the World Series champions, the cocaine stories surrounding the team, and Lonnie Smith’s unforgettable run-in with the Phillie Phanatic. Leonard Little: JJ shares his firsthand recollections of responding to the fatal crash involving the former Rams defensive end, followed by a look at the consequences of drinking and driving. Rob Ramage: We discuss the former Blues defenseman’s tragic 2003 crash that killed his friend and fellow hockey legend Keith Magnuson, and how Ramage has since worked to educate athletes about the dangers of impaired driving. Mike Danton: The main story explores the disturbing case involving the former St. Louis Blues player, his troubled relationship with hockey mentor David Frost, and the murder-for-hire plot that shocked the hockey world. From the Cardinals’ clubhouse to the Blues’ locker room, these are stories about fame, bad decisions, tragedy, and the consequences that can follow. Plus, plenty of the usual banter from the guys at The Brighter Side of Blue. 👍 Like, subscribe, and share, and join us every week for crime stories, law enforcement history, and conversations you won't hear anywhere else. #TheBrighterSideOfBlue #StLouisSports #MikeDanton #StLouisBlues #StLouisCardinals #LeonardLittle #RobRamage #TrueCrime #SportsHistory #TBSOB

Featured interview (24:32) ...The South Side of St. Louis has produced some unforgettable characters, notorious criminals and stories that you wouldn't believe if you hadn't been there.This week on The Brighter Side of Blue, former SLMPD detectives Phil Menendez, Tony Lachenicht and Leo Rice sit down to swap stories from their years working and investigating crime on the South Side.They remember the neighborhoods, the criminal families, the burglars, the drug crews and the characters who kept detectives busy. Along the way, they share stories about McRee Town, legendary South Side figures, some memorable investigations, the detectives who taught them the job and the experiences that still make them laugh years later.There's plenty of humor, some wild stories and a look back at a side of St. Louis history that these three know firsthand.If you remember the old South Side, you'll recognize some names. If you don't, you're about to meet some characters.Three former detectives. Decades on the streets. And more South Side stories than we could fit into one conversation.#TheBrighterSideOfBlue #StLouis #SouthSideStories #StLouisHistory #SLMPD #StLouisPolice #PoliceStories #BehindTheBadge #TrueCrime #SouthsideShenanigans #LawEnforcement #TBSOB

Our featured interview (49:08) ... Tom Albus and Don Boyce have spent their careers on different sides of the same fight, protecting the community and putting some of the most serious criminals in the country behind bars.Tom Albus is the current U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri. Don Boyce is an Assistant U.S. Attorney who began his career as a St. Louis police officer before eventually making his way into federal prosecution.But their connection goes back much further than the courtroom. Tom and Don grew up together, went to school together and have been lifelong friends. Their careers took different paths, but eventually brought them together at the U.S. Attorney's Office.In this conversation, we talk about Don's years with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, his brother's career on the department's SWAT team, the relationship between local police and federal prosecutors, how the federal government works with local agencies, and what actually determines whether a case goes federal.They also talk about the federal Strike Force, some of the legendary prosecutors and investigators who helped build the U.S. Attorney's Office, and the enormous TT Jordan murder case, which resulted in Jordan's conviction for the murders of nine people connected to a drug organization.But there's plenty of the personal side, too. The two friends trade stories, talk about the people who influenced their careers, and give us a look at what it's really like to work inside one of the most important federal law enforcement offices in Missouri.It's a conversation about law enforcement, prosecution, friendship, St. Louis and the people behind the cases.And, as Don says during the conversation, we're all part of the same family trying to do the right thing. #TheBrighterSideOfBlue #TomAlbus #DonBoyce #USAttorney #USAttorneysOffice #EasternDistrictOfMissouri #StLouis #StLouisPolice #LawEnforcement #FederalProsecutor #FederalProsecution #PoliceStories #BehindTheBadge #StLouisHistory #CrimeStories #PublicSafety #TTJordan #Justice #TBSOB

After 45 years in St. Louis media, Elliott Davis has accumulated one hell of a collection of stories. In this episode of The Brighter Side of Blue, Elliott talks about his career, some of his biggest investigations, the time his cameraman Larry Washington was shot, growing up near Pruitt-Igoe, his battles with politicians and what life looks like now that he's retired. It's a wide-ranging conversation with one of the most recognizable voices in St. Louis media. #TheBrighterSideOfBlue #ElliottDavis #StLouis #StLouisMedia #FOX2 #InvestigativeJournalism #Journalism #StLouisHistory #LawEnforcement #PoliceStories #BehindTheBadge #PruittIgoe #Wellston #StLouisStories #TBSOB Hashtags

Terry Korpal started his law enforcement career as an SLMPD cadet in 1965, spent 10 years with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and went on to spend another 14 years with the United States Secret Service. Terry takes us back to his days in the 5th District and his time working in Pruitt-Igoe, including what it was like policing one of St. Louis' most notorious housing projects. Then he tells us how an unexpected opportunity took him from St. Louis to the Secret Service — and eventually put him on the protection detail for Ronald Reagan during Reagan's presidential campaign. And yes... there's a Bobo the monkey story. 😂 Terry also tells us about working protection details, investigating threats, life on the road with the Secret Service and one unbelievable encounter involving bank robber and Vietnam veteran William Thomas James. Plus, Terry talks about his new book, "The Barbarians," a fictional police story inspired by the St. Louis officers and experiences that shaped his career. It's a great conversation with a guy who has spent decades around some of the most interesting people, places and cases in American law enforcement. #TheBrighterSideOfBlue #TerryKorpal #SecretService #SLMPD #StLouisPolice #StLouis #LawEnforcement #PoliceStories #BehindTheBadge #RonaldReagan #SecretServiceAgent #PoliceHistory #PruittIgoe #StLouisHistory #TrueCrime #LawEnforcementStories #RetiredCop #PoliceFamily #StLouisMO #TheBarbarians

A confession that became one of the most talked-about videos on our YouTube channel is now available on all platforms In this interview, Rafael Jackson speaks directly with investigators and recounts his involvement in multiple violent crimes, answering questions about what happened, the weapons involved and the events surrounding the cases. This is an extraordinary look inside a real homicide investigation and the process of getting a suspect to explain, in his own words, what happened. #TheBrighterSideOfBlue #SLPOA #RafaelJackson #Confession #TrueCrime #HomicideInvestigation #PoliceInterview #Detectives #CrimeStories #LawEnforcement #StLouis #StLouisPolice #SLMPD #BehindTheBadge #TrueCrimeStories #PoliceStories

Featured Interview (31:14)...Some friendships are built over years. Others are forged in the heat of the job. Joe Crews and Archie Shaw worked together, chased the same bad guys, shared plenty of laughs and experienced some things that only fellow police officers can truly understand. Over the years, their professional relationship became something much more — a genuine friendship and a bond that lasted well beyond the badge. In this conversation, Joe and Archie sit down with us to talk about their careers, the cases they remember, the people they worked alongside and some of the stories that came out of their years together on the streets of St. Louis. There are plenty of laughs, plenty of crazy police stories and a great deal of respect between two guys who spent years having each other's backs. Some call them colleagues. We think “brothers” is a little closer. #TheBrighterSideOfBlue #SLPOA #JoeCrews #ArchieShaw #SLMPD #StLouis #PoliceStories #LawEnforcement #PoliceBrotherhood #BehindTheBadge #PoliceFamily #StLouisPolice #CopStories

(24:53) Our featured Interview...For the first time in its history, the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department hired its chief from outside the department.Chief Robert Tracy came to St. Louis after more than four decades in law enforcement, with a career that took him from the Bronx to Chicago, Wilmington and ultimately St. Louis.And when he arrived, he knew exactly what he was walking into.SLMPD is a proud department with a long history, deep traditions and generations of officers who had spent their entire careers there. Tracy knew there would be skepticism about an outsider coming in to lead the department.But instead of flipping the table, he took a different approach.Respect the organization. Learn its history. Listen to its people. Give officers the tools to do their jobs. And make changes when changes are actually needed — not simply for the sake of making changes.In this episode of The Brighter Side of Blue, we sit down with Chief Robert Tracy for a conversation that goes well beyond crime statistics and the usual questions he gets from the media.We talk about what it was like coming into SLMPD as the department's first outside chief, how he earned the trust of the men and women wearing the badge, the changes he's seen over the past three years and why he believes the department is finding its stride again.But we also get to know the man behind the badge.Chief Tracy talks about his father, a highly respected NYPD homicide detective who helped shape his career, his mother and her career as a nurse, his wife Brenda, his five children and the importance of having mentors throughout a law-enforcement career.He talks about why he and his family have chosen to stay in St. Louis, what he loves about the city, St. Louis sports, his first encounter with St. Louis-style pizza and why he believes this city is often harder on itself than it needs to be.And yes... we even find out what happened when a young NYPD officer named Robert Tracy met Dolly Parton. 😂It's a very different conversation with the Chief — personal, funny, candid and a look at the man who came to St. Louis from the outside and decided to put down roots.Communities that support law enforcement are safer places to live.

Featured Interview (35:10)...What does it really cost to be a hero? This week on The Brighter Side of Blue, we're joined by two men who know that answer better than most. Colin Ledbetter was shot in the line of duty. He told us the story of that incident during his previous appearance on the show, but surviving the physical wounds was only part of the battle. James Frost brings his own experiences from a career in law enforcement, sharing stories that show what officers see, what they carry with them and what can happen long after the call is over. Two very different stories. Two different paths toward healing. But a common thread runs through both:Heroism has a cost.This is a conversation about the things officers experience, the things they don't always talk about, and what happens when the uniform comes off but the memories don't. It's honest, personal and at times difficult, but it's also a reminder that the men and women behind the badge are human beings. Two cops. Two stories. One fight. #TheBrighterSideOfBlue #LawEnforcement #Police #PoliceOfficers #FirstResponders #Heroism #BehindTheBadge #OfficerWellness #PoliceMentalHealth #StLouis #STL #ThinBlueLine

(33:49) Featured Interview Stephen Walker...If you're from St. Louis, you probably know the Lemp Mansion. You may know the stories of the brewery, the family's incredible wealth, the tragedies and the suicides that helped make the mansion one of the city's most infamous landmarks. But there's a story you may not know. Stephen Walker has been researching the Lemp family since 1982. What started with a fascination with the mansion's ghost stories turned into decades of digging through old newspapers, records, museums and historical archives. In this conversation, Stephen takes us through the rise and fall of one of St. Louis' most powerful families before turning his attention to the death of Elsa Lemp Wright in 1920. Elsa's death was ruled a suicide. Stephen isn't convinced. We get into the strange circumstances surrounding her death, the conflicting accounts, the delayed call to police, the involvement of a powerful attorney, the location of the gun, the testimony of the household servants and the questions that still surround the case more than a century later. And, because this is The Brighter Side of Blue, we couldn't resist putting some retired cops in the room and asking the question: If this happened today, would you call it suicide?

Featured Interview (37:06) Retired ATF Agent Bill Buford has lived a law enforcement career that sounds almost impossible. A Vietnam-era Green Beret, Buford went on to become an ATF agent and SRT team leader. Before Waco, he had already been shot multiple times and seriously wounded during an arrest. Then, on February 28, 1993, he and his team were sent into the Branch Davidian compound in Waco, Texas. What followed was one of the most violent days in the history of federal law enforcement. Bill takes us inside that day from the perspective of someone who was actually there. He talks about the loss of three members of his own 12-man Arkansas team, being shot multiple times himself, fighting his way out of the compound, and the incredible actions of the agents who fought alongside him. But this interview goes far beyond Waco. Bill talks about growing up in Kansas City, becoming a Green Beret, his Vietnam service, how he ended up at ATF almost by accident, building an SRT team, the importance of training and peer support, losing his friend and protégé Robert Williams at Waco, and continuing his law enforcement career long after that day. It's an incredible conversation with a man who has spent his life serving his country and protecting others. And, somehow, after everything he's been through, Bill is still planning to go bear hunting with a crossbow. We were honored to have him tell his story.

We weren't planning on doing a Saturday night edition, but a few calls came in that changed that. We've got a major update on a familiar name from our BMF series, some big developments involving local and federal law enforcement, and a look at a recent case that shows just how much work is being done behind the scenes. We also get into the search for a missing two-year-old that ended with a good outcome, and Danny has a pretty unbelievable story about the person who recently hit the billion-dollar lottery. There's a lot more to this one than we're putting in the description. Some of the best information is the stuff we're hearing directly from people in the know. It's our first-ever Saturday night "Weekend Swirl," and we think you're going to enjoy this one. #TheBrighterSideOfBlue #SLMPD #SLPOA #BMF #LawEnforcement #CrimeNews #StLouis #StLouisCrime #Police #DrugInvestigation #FederalInvestigation #CrimeThisWeek #WeekendSwirl #LawEnforcementCommunity

This week on The Brighter Side of Blue, we sit down with a man whose life has taken him through Vietnam, law enforcement, music and some truly unbelievable experiences. Dann Glenn is a Vietnam combat veteran, former military and police officer, accomplished bassist and guitarist, composer, author and longtime member of the St. Louis community. His story is anything but ordinary. Dann served in Vietnam with the 101st Airborne before becoming a military policeman. After returning home, he began a career in law enforcement, only to realize that his lifelong passion for music was calling him back. Years later, after 9/11, he found himself drawn back toward law enforcement and eventually landed in St. Louis, where his path crossed with Producer John and a number of familiar names from the St. Louis police family. Dann shares stories from Vietnam, his police career, his incredible music career and the people he's met along the way. And wait until you hear how a chance encounter involving a bag of laundry eventually led to him sitting down with Van Morrison. Before we get to Dann, we're doing what we always do around here: talking about the police family. The guys reminisce about the ROMEOs, Retired Old Men Eating Out, including a table packed with decades of police experience, old friends and some familiar faces. Because as we always say, once you're part of the police family, you're in forever. JJ also discusses the tragic death of U.S. Marshal Bradley Fisher, who was killed while deploying spike strips during a pursuit in Indiana. The guys talk about just how dangerous that seemingly simple police tactic can be and why proper training and positioning matter. And, of course, there is plenty of the usual Brighter Side of Blue nonsense along the way, including a debate over women's sports, some questionable sandwich history, the St. Louis-born Gerber sandwich, a police call involving a landlord, a tenant and two alligators, snakes, an emu, dogs, cats and pigs, plus the guys somehow finding a way to turn almost every topic into a reason to bust each other's balls.

Our featured interview (47:50) This week on The Brighter Side of Blue, we're joined by SLMPD Officer Matt Tesreau, a 20-year veteran whose career has taken him from patrol to the Rapid Deployment Unit, SWAT, and now the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force. Matt sits down with Tommy, JJ, and John to share stories from two decades of police work, including what it's like tracking violent fugitives across the country, serving high-risk warrants, working alongside federal agencies, and how technology has transformed modern policing. He also discusses the teamwork, patience, and investigative work that goes into finding some of the region's most dangerous criminals. Along the way, you'll hear unforgettable stories about SWAT operations, nationwide manhunts, cutting-edge equipment, close calls on the job, and why—after 20 years—Matt still approaches every shift with the same enthusiasm he had on day one. If you've ever wondered what happens after a violent suspect goes on the run, this is an inside look at the men and women dedicated to bringing them to justice. Before we sit down with Matt, the boys are back around the table with another fun and unpredictable opening. This week, Tommy shares stories from his trip to Newfoundland, the crew discusses a bizarre new crime trend, recent developments in the St. Louis officer ambush investigation, an incredible teenage lifeguard rescue, the latest on Sophie Cunningham and the WNBA, upcoming SLPOA events, and JJ closes with another thought-provoking Zen. As always, expect plenty of laughs, good-natured ribbing, and the conversations that make The Brighter Side of Blue more than just another law enforcement podcast. #TheBrighterSideOfBlue #MattTesreau #SLMPD #USMarshals #FugitiveTaskForce #LawEnforcement #PolicePodcast #TrueCrime #BehindTheBadge #StLouis #ThinBlueLine #PublicSafety #Podcast #BackTheBlue #SchickerFord