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
255 episodes
Brian Watson (Retired IRS Special Agent, University of Arizona Adjunct Faculty & 100 Club of Arizona)
Ever consider life as a Federal agent? Ever wonder how people decide on a career in Federal Service? Then this is your episode.Brian reached out to see if I would be willing to come speak to one of his classes at the University. We had l...
F.I.S.T. "Fugitive Investigative Strike Team" (Retired Pima County Sheriff Detective Sgt. John McGrath)
Today, we're taking a look at the career and experiences of John McGrath, retired Pima County Detective Sergeant.He spent more than two decades with Pima County, but we crossed paths when he was leading the FIST team. Because there's too...
The death investigations that impacted his entire career! (Peter Hodap, Retired Town of Prescott Police Lieutenant)
Pete reached out to me recently and asked if I'd have him on the show to discuss his 21 year career in the Town of Prescott. In this episode, we only made it to about the 10 year mark, so he's coming back to finish his tales.I'm glad he ...
Dr. Kevin Gilmartin (Pima County Sheriff's Department, Author of "Emotional Survival for Law Enforcement')
Initially this entire podcast was going to be about cops, reminiscing about the glory days and the excitement this career holds for us along the way. Over time, especially recent months, it has taken on a deeper meaning for me because several o...
Gary Youngling (1st ever guest on Choir Practice, Ep. 1)
Here's another "Best of" and the guy who helped me get this show off the ground! Retired Fairfax County Detective Gary Youngling!Published author, in retirement he worked training the National Police Force in Haiti, trained security pers...
Ben Frie (Current Lieutenant Tucson Police, SWAT, USMC)
Ben agreed to be on the show before I realized he was NOT retired! At the time, he was a Sergeant, but in true Ben Frie fashion he just didn't care. He's a "wordsmith," he's never had much of a filter and you can always count on Ben to just say...
Lillian George [Episode 10] (Retired Pima County Sheriff Detective)
Maybe it's the summertime heat? Vacation schedules? I'm still on the hunt for new victims to be on the show... If you know someone retired from Law Enforcement, dispatch, firefighting, EMT, doctor, nurse, or the military who is in Arizona or is...
Maxie Ridgeway (Retired Tucson Police Detective, USAF)
Max and I worked in Special Investigations from 2001-2002. Our squad did the undercover deals and his squad did the Detective work on the prosecution of our cases.He's a genuine nice guy so, if you check out his pictures on FB or Instagr...
Joe Knipp redux (Retired Pima County Sheriff Sgt, Retired San Diego PD Motor, USMC)
As I stated before, I've been traveling quite a bit for work, so I tried to grab some of the more popular episodes, craziest characters, and entertaining story tellers. If you have listened to this podcast for any length of time, you know there...
Ari Sloane (Tucson Police, Undercover, Hostage Negotiator, Corporate Security for local Power company and Bouldercrest Guide)
As I said last week, I'm still traveling for work...Occasionally, we like to be introspective about our introspection and bring back an oldie but a goodie! Ari is one of the kindest dude's I know, musically talented and he still serves t...
Jason Bentley (Tucson Police Officer, K9 Handler, SWAT operator, Bouldercrest Foundation Guide)
Jason and I grew up on the same department, but never crossed paths until Bouldercrest Foundation's Warrior PATTH 150. He recently retired and I knew I wanted him on the show.It's no surprise that he joined with Bouldercrest and continue...
Bob Krygier Part 2 (Retired Pima County Sheriff Lieutenant, SWAT, Border Crimes, Night Detectives, Bicycle patrol)
Bob and I sat down for a pretty healthy "second round" to wrap up his career. About a week later he texts me and says, "I can't believe I totally forgot to mention the worst call I've ever had! It included dead bodies, animals, and it dragged o...
Albert Echave (USAF Security Forces, Retired Town of Bisbee Police Chief)
I was happy to have Albert back...HIs first episode covered growing up in Bisbee, becoming a Police Explorer, then joining the AirForce to get some experience and age under his belt. We wrapped that episode discussing how he was initiall...
James Allerton Pt2 (Retired Pima County Sheriff Department- Patrol, Detective, Border Crimes, PIO, Tucson Airport Authority Police, 88-Crime Program Coordinator)
From Patrol to PIO (Episode Description)In Part 2 of our conversation with James Allerton, we go deeper into the real-world intersections between frontline policing, investigative work, and the way those stories reach the public. James—w...
Bob Krygier (Retired Pima County Sheriff Lieutenant,, SWAT, Corrections)
Well, well, well...Bob and I met in May 1996, when we both attended the Pima County Jail Correctional Academy. Our motto, "Class 96-2: Be Rough, Be Tough, Beware!" I cannot believe it has been 30 years!He was promoted to Deputy in...
Jay Korza Part 2 (Retired Pima County Sergeant/ Regional SWAT Operator, USN Corpsman, and current Air Medic)
I left the previous interview on a cliff hanger. I wanted you all to not only come back to hear the circumstances surrounding Jay's shooting, but I believe the bumps in the road of his career can speak to so many of us who choose to be a first ...
Jay Korza Part 1 (Retired Pima County Sheriff Sergeant, USN Corpsman, and current Air Medic)
Jay reached out and asked to be on the show. He is currently an Air Medic, but his service started right out of high school. He joined the US Navy and became a Corpsman. His stories from this formative period in his life helped him grow up quic...
Darren Wright (USMC, Retired Washington State Trooper/ Volunteer Fire Fighter, Current Oro Valley PD Public Information Officer)
Darren heard about the show from an Officer on Oro Valley Police Department and decided to reach out. Excited about his new book being published; Humor, Heartbreak, and Humanity - available on Amazon.com and Barnes&Noble.com he decided to s...
Albert Echave (USAF, Retired Bisbee,AZ Chief)
Albert was introduced to the show by guest, and friend, Paul Dietzel. Albert is born and raised in the Town of Bisbee, AZ. In high school he knew he wanted to be a police officer so he became an Explorer with the Department.After high sc...
James Allerton (USAF Security Forces, Pima County Sheriff Deputy, Tucson Airport Authority Police)
I've known James for a little while now, and I know he listens to the show, so when I heard he retired and hung up his gunboat... I knew I needed to reach out.He started his law enforcement service in the United States Air Force! He was ...
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.
