Choir Practice Podcast
First Responders, and Public Servants, share the most extraordinary experiences from their careers. Here on Choir Practice our mission is to preserve our guests personal legacies for friends and family, sharing their stories for anyone who might be curious or interested in a career in public service.
Episodes
235 episodes
Jim McShea Pt 2 (Retired Tucson Police Captain)
Well, it's the best day of the week around here! I get an opportunity to share another episode from the coolest gang on the planet! This is part two, I think we did a great job of wrapping this career up.It's a career Jim can certainly b...
Most popular episodes (Retired Tucson Police Sergeant Nancy Dowdy Ep 32)
Occasionally I'll highlight one of the top episodes from years past...this week I have the honor of placing Nancy Dowdy..."Nancy and I worked together at the end of our careers. She was the Detective Sgt in Operations Division...
Brian Kunze (Part three, the Sergeant Years!)
In this episode we cover Brian's time as a Sergeant and in each episode the stories get better and better.Being a cop is challenging, but leading men and women who have extraordinary authority presents some new challenges. It truly is an...
Dawn Barkman (Retired Pima County Sheriff Sergeant)
First and foremost I have to thank Dawn for coming back to Tucson, from Northern AZ, and agreeing to be on the show. She just retired February 13, but left for higher ground and cooler temps.Second, I'll thank Lillian George (Choir Pract...
Jim McShea (Retired Tucson Police Captain)
Jim spent 38 years in law enforcement before retiring, during this time he rose to the rank of Captain. I worked for Jim a few times over the years, Undercover and the Citywide Force Unit, and I can tell you he's a very down-to-earth man.
Becky Noel (Retired Tucson Police Community Service Officer and Co-Author)
I met Becky in Midtown while I was in the bicycle unit. She was a hard working CSO who had all the apartment complexes and rental properties under her thumb. She taught them how to be better property managers, how to make their properties safer...
Brian Kunze- The K9 years (Retire Pima County Sheriff Sergeant)
As promised, Brian's first episode covered his younger, more formative years as a new Deputy and now we're heading into his time as a K9 handler. His four-legged partners were all studly police dogs, so I'm glad we're covering their heroics thi...
Paul Dietzel (Retired Pima County Sheriff Deputy)
Longtime friend of the show, Paul Dietzel, is back! You can't listen to this show and not be reminded of stories from across the years in public service! Paul is back with new stories, but more importantly, we have a discussion about Paul's exp...
Joe Knipp (Retired Pima County and San Diego PD)
I know, I know...Joe AGAIN?????? But he swore he had more stories and so it made sense to bring him back!We had a good time and I know you will enjoy it! Seems like this may be the last but I wouldn't swear to it at this point...
Dan Figueroa (US Army Retired, Former Pima County Sheriff, US Navy, Dodge City PD)
Welcome to part two and the final chapter with Dan! The guy has served our Nation, and locally, in so many capacities! Like many of my guest, he continues to serve throughout his life...In this episode, we go back and touch on a few stor...
John Stuckey Pt 3 (Retired Pima County Sheriff's Bureau Chief)
Well,We've made it to the last episode of this series! I'm so glad, and honored, to be a part of him telling the stories that impacted him on a personal and professional level. He has been a great guest.We chat about John's second...
Jill Isely Part 3 (Pima County Sheriff's Department Homicide and Cold Case Sergeant)
Sadly, this trilogy is coming to an end and we saved some of the best stories for last! 35 years in law enforcement couldn't possibly be covered without multiple episodes!!!I'm so grateful Jill agreed to sit in the hot seat and put up wi...
Dan Figueroa (USN, Dodge City Kansas PD, US ARMY Command Sgt. Major, Pima County Sheriff Deputy and current Marana Police)
Dan is the proud owner or Task Force Red Firearms and Gunsmith here in Tucson (1802 W. Grant Rd, 520-289-0878, tfrguns.com)! But prior to that, the guy has done a lot of things and been a lot of places, all in the name of service of othe...
John Stuckey Pt 2 (Retired Bureau Chief from the Pima County Sheriff's Department)
It has been a few weeks, so I'm glad John returned to keep working his way through his 26+ year career here in Pima County.I appreciate his time, the great stories and I also enjoy the conversations about leadership and doing the right t...
Steve Ridell Pt2 (Retired Tucson Police Air Unit Pilot)
We've got a theme going, here's another interview with a pilot!!!!Like many of my guests, Steve spent many years with the Tucson Police Department, so it took a few sessions to make it through his career. I'm glad he came back and I'm ex...
James "McGruff" Hunt (Retired USAF A-10 pilot, current AZ Ranger)
I am so glad James reached out and I really enjoyed his interview! He served the United States as an A-10 pilot, but as with many guests, I find myself intrigued by the pathway that led him there!!!Deployments to the Middle East, becomin...
Joaquin Acevedo (Retired Tucson Police Officer)
As we close out the year with a rainy day in Tucson, I'm sharing a "best of" episode from the vaults. I plan on returning in the new year with all new episodes and new guests, but for now, enjoy time with your families, cherish a few quiet mome...
Andy Silverman Memorial Episode (Retired NYPD and Transit Police)
I recently learned that Andy passed away. His wife said there will be a service after the holidays, but I thought it would be appropriate to honor his memory by playing his episode. I'm honored to have had him on the show, and to pr...
Brian Kunze (Retired Pima County Sheriff Sergeant, USN Veteran)
One thing I must say about Brian and every guest who has graced me with their time over the years is...I've never once had to ask them to drop any pretense and be their authentic selves and that is what seems to catch my listener's inter...
Thomas Sommerville (Detroit Street Cop)
I must say, I'm a little sad this series is coming to an end. I've enjoyed Tom and his stories! I always find it very interesting to see how agencies outside of Arizona handled business and what better city to get a "behind the scenes" view tha...
Mark Marine (US Army, Prairieville PD, MI, Middleville PD, MI and Grand Rapids PD, MI then finally Retired Tucson Police Officer)
Like some of my previous guests, I spent some time "gushing" over Mark. Throughout his career, he was always motivated, looked sharp in uniform, and seemed to truly be called to this profession!!! And I really appreciated that about him because...
Jill Isely (Retired Pima County Sheriff's Homicide and Cold Case Sgt)
In this episode, we continued our conversation about her 30+ year career. We took a deep dive into the Schwartz/ Stidham "murder for hire" here in Tucson. I've enjoyed these two episodes, and I can't wait for her to come back in a few weeks, be...
Joe Knipp "The Finale??" (Retired Motor from San Diego PD, Retired Pima County Sgt)
I'll never count Joe out because I'm sure he'll remember some more stories in the future. Plus, he's just a good friend and this is my show, and we can do whatever the heck we want!!!But he brought more SDPD stories to share and we had a...
Jason Wilhelmsen (USMC, Former Pima County Sheriff Deputy, Former Tucson Police Officer, Retired Marana Police Officer)
Jason moved to Arizona with his mom and sisters as a kid. After high school, he joined the Marine Corps and served in Washington DC, then deployed overseas. When he returned home, he found another way to serve... law enforcement.He joine...
John Stuckey (Retired Pima County Sheriff's Dept Bureau Chief)
John retired after spending more than twenty-six years with the Pima County Sheriff's Department. Foothills patrol, SWAT, Sergeant and on through the ranks. I had a lot of respect for John over the years and understood that, even in...
