An inside look at law enforcement through a civilian’s interviews. These are stories of police told by officers themselves. They talk frankly about what it’s like to be a cop in these tough times, what drew them to the job, and what the people they serve don’t know about the challenges of their work. It’s a view from the front lines and some very personal and emotional stories, especially about why each of these officers chose to serve. I draw on my 14 years of interviewing, filming and photographing police officers – and many ride-alongs!
On Being a Police Officer
Claim This Podcastby Abby Ellsworth
4.8(60 reviews)
86 episodes
Updated Bi-weekly
Accepts GuestsHas SponsorsLocation 🇺🇸
68
Podcast Authority
BetaGoodBased on show quality, social media presence, reviews, charts, and more
Quality56
Social94
YouTube68
Engagement85
Podcast Overview
An inside look at law enforcement through a civilian’s interviews. These are stories of police told by officers themselves. They talk frankly about what it’s like to be a cop in these tough times, what drew them to the job, and what the people they serve don’t know about the challenges of their work. It’s a view from the front lines and some very personal and emotional stories, especially about why each of these officers chose to serve. I draw on my 14 years of interviewing, filming and photographing police officers – and many ride-alongs!
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
9/16/2020
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68
Podcast Authority
BetaGoodBased on show quality, social media presence, reviews, charts, and more
Quality56
Social94
YouTube68
Engagement85
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excellent
Episode Length
1h 19m
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Recent Episodes
May 27, 2026
Ep. 83 - Dallas PD Chief Daniel Comeaux: first-year initiatives, successes, future goals; Drawing on his 35-year law enforcement career from Houston PD to DEA.
Host Abby Ellsworth interviews Dallas PD Chief Daniel Comeaux about his first year leading the department, drawing on his extensive law enforcement career to share insights on leadership and future goals.
April 15, 2026
Ep. 82 – Sgt. Jim Vaglica – The SWAT Response to the Boston Marathon Bombing; plus the unsettling aspects of the case that raise more questions than they answer.
<p>Ep. 82 – Sgt. Jim Vaglica (ret.) of the Waltham, MA police department shares an eye-opening account of little-known aspects of the Boston Marathon bombing case. If you think you know what happened leading up to and in the aftermath of this terrorist attack, I think you’ll be surprised.</p><p>Jim recounts dramatic stories from his 32-year career including 16 years on the regional SWAT team known as NEMLEC, the role that drew him into the intense manhunt of the Boston Marathon bombers.</p><p>Jim takes us through the complex series of events that started on that Monday, April 15, 2013, that cast a net of terror over the city for several agonizing days and nights. He talks about NEMLEC’s mutual aid response to Boston, the citywide search for the suspects, the ambush murder of MIT Officer Sean Collier at their hands. Jim details the brothers’ dramatic shootout with police and the capture and death of the older brother.</p><p>With the wounded younger brother on the run in Watertown, the city was put under a tense shelter in place. Jim and the NEMLEC team along with neighboring agencies conducted door-to-door searches to find him. Jim describes the chaos that ensued following the discovery of the suspect including a massive multi-agency response, chaotic sympathetic gunfire, and an hours-long standoff before he is finally taken into custody.</p><p>But there is more here than meets the eye. Jim takes us through the mysterious backstory of the older brother. His potential ties to a triple homicide committed prior to the bombing. His FBI connections. And other unsettling details that raise more questions than they answer.</p><p>I start the episode by getting to know a little about Jim – what drew him to LE in 1985. His time on patrol and his stint on a street level drug unit. His promotion to sergeant in 1995 and his decision to test for and be selected to join the prestigious NEMLEC team in 1998. Though retired, Jim remains a Sworn Special Officer. We close with a chat about our shared passion for the role of School Resource Officer and hope for the future of law enforcement.</p><p>I am choosing to air this episode on April 15th, the anniversary of that horrible day for Boston in honor of all the city endured and in honor of the civilians who were murdered and maimed, the officers who lost or nearly lost their lives. And for Jim, his fellow officers and all the first responders for all they did to protect Boston.</p><p>Thanks, Jim!</p><p>Jim’s Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/jimvaglica/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/jimvaglica/</a></p><p>Jim’s website: <a href="https://jimvaglica.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://jimvaglica.com/</a></p><p>Check out the book Jim mentions:<a href="Check out "Mayhem" by Michele McPhee" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> "Mayhem"</a> by Michele McPhee</p><p>In remembrance of your service and sacrifice:</p><p><a href="https://www.odmp.org/officer/21777-patrol-officer-sean-allen-collier" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Officer Sean Collier</a></p><p>MIT Police Department</p><p>E.O.W. Thursday, April 18, 2013</p><p><a href="https://www.odmp.org/officer/22424-sergeant-dennis-oliver-simmonds" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sgt. Dennis Simmonds</a></p><p>Boston Police Department</p><p>E.O.W. Thursday, April 10, 2014</p><p>Thanks for listening to On Being a Police Officer. YOU are what keeps me going.</p><p>Find me on my social or email me your thoughts:</p><p>Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/on_being_a_police_officer/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">on_being_a_police_officer</a></p><p>Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/abby.ellsworth.52" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">On Being a Police Officer</a></p><p><a href="mailto:Abby@Ellsworthproductions.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Abby@Ellsworthproductions.com</a></p><p><a href="https://www.onbeingapoliceofficer.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.onbeingapoliceofficer.com</a></p><p>©Abby Ellsworth. All booking, interviews, editing, and production by Abby Ellsworth. Music courtesy of freesound.org</p>
March 13, 2026
Ep. 81 – U.S. Marshal Bobby Ledogar: High-Profile Extraditions, Hunting Fugitives, Serving High-Risk Warrants—and Paying the Price for Turning Whistleblower.
<p>Ep. 81 - This is a gripping look at the high-stakes world of the U.S. Marshals Service with retired Supervisory Deputy U.S. Marshal Bobby “LED” Ledogar who committed 25 years to the agency handling high-profile extraditions, hunting fugitives and nearly losing his life serving high-risk warrants.</p><p>It is also a deeply personal account of what it was like to lose everything at the hands of the very institution he served because he chose to be a whistleblower in a discrimination case against one of his own deputy marshals. What you’ll also find in this episode is Bobby’s indomitable spirit and the strength he drew on to not only fight for what’s right, but also to fight back. </p><p>Bobby joined the U.S. Marshals Service in 1995 as a Deputy U.S. Marshal for the Eastern District of New York/Brooklyn. In 2010, he promoted to Supervisor of the Warrants Squad assigned to the New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force where he led a team of twelve marshals. Prior to joining the Marshals, Bobby served seven years in the U.S. Navy as a Master-at-Arms deployed to combat zones during Operation Desert Storm.</p><p>Bobby shares behind-the-scenes accounts of some of the most dramatic operations of his career including apprehending a violent MS-13 gang member; his involvement in the extradition of El Chapo; as well as tracking down a double-murder suspect who had evaded capture for more than 16 years – Andre Neverson – a U.S. Marshals “15 Most Wanted” fugitive featured on America’s Most Wanted TV show.</p><p>In 2015, Bobby supported Deputy U.S. Marshal Dawn Mahoney after she reported harassment and discrimination within the task force. As her supervisor and mentor, Bobby stood by her and testified on her behalf. What followed was swift and severe retaliation by the task force members identified in this whistleblower case involving a smear campaign that not only ended Bobby’s career but also threatened his and his wife’s safety ultimately forcing them to relocate from New York to Florida.</p><p>In April 2020, just two months shy of his scheduled retirement, Bobby was terminated. The firing immediately stripped him of his pay, medical coverage, and pension—leaving him and his family financially and emotionally devastated. We talk about what has kept him going these past few years, the mission to get back what was taken from him, and where things stand now. </p><p>Two organizations that supported Bobby from day one:</p><p>The National Police Defense Foundation (NPDF), which put a legal defense fund in place for the legal expenses Bobby has incurred with his case that is now before the Merit System Protection Board (MSPB). The NPDF is a nationally renowned and congressionally recognized non-profit that provides free medical and legal support services to the law enforcement community. <a href="https://npdf.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://npdf.org/</a> </p><p>The other non-profit of which Bobby is a board member is the Federal Enforcement of Homeland Security Foundation (FEHSF), a non-profit whose mission is to provide emergency funding to the Federal Law Enforcement Community. <a href="https://www.fehsf.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.fehsf.org/</a> </p><p>You can connect with Bobby on LinkedIn under Robert Ledogar: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-ledogar-276277146/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-ledogar-276277146/</a> </p><p>Thanks for listening to On Being a Police Officer. YOU are what keeps me going.</p><p>Find me on my social or email me your thoughts:</p><p>Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/on_being_a_police_officer/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">on_being_a_police_officer</a></p><p>Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/abby.ellsworth.52" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">On Being a Police Officer</a> </p><p><a href="mailto:Abby@Ellsworthproductions.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Abby@Ellsworthproductions.com</a></p><p><a href="https://www.onbeingapoliceofficer.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.onbeingapoliceofficer.com</a></p><p>©Abby Ellsworth. All booking, interviews, editing, and production by Abby Ellsworth. Music courtesy of freesound.org</p>
86 total episodes available with 2 transcripts
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