Episode 998: Law Enforcement in Crisis — From Portland Streets to National Struggles w/ Oregon State Representative Jeff Helfrich

Officer Kory Flowers shares his experience leading a new narcotics team, the pursuit of recognition in law enforcement, and the challenges of balancing manpower with fulfillment. He opens up about being overlooked, the importance of taking control of your own path, treating people right, and the role of courage in both policing and life.-----00:00:00:00 - 00:01:29:17Teaser00:01:29:17 - 00:07:57:19Intro00:07:57:19 - 00:09:33:06Kory’s new narcotics team00:09:33:06 - 00:29:26:08Awards in law enforcement00:29:26:08 - 00:29:45:12Midroll00:29:45:12 - 00:40:19:00Allocation of manpower & the desire for recognition00:40:19:00 - 00:49:53:00Fulfillment & getting looked over00:49:53:00 - 00:53:32:18Taking control over your life00:53:32:18 - 01:02:09:02Treating people right01:02:09:02 - 01:13:19:14Courage01:13:19:14 - 01:14:32:11Outro

Officer Ryan Dunehew recounts his on-duty shooting, the dangers of complacency, and how training and fitness played a critical role in his survival. He reflects on the near-death experience, the challenges of seeking help, the aftermath, and how his mindset has changed—sharing hard-earned advice for fellow law enforcement officers.-----00:00:00:00 - 00:01:26:00Teaser00:01:26:00 - 00:02:10:13Intro00:02:10:13 - 00:03:39:03Ryan’s background00:03:39:03 - 00:11:11:24Ryan’s on-duty shooting00:11:11:24 - 00:14:47:05The true danger of complacency00:14:47:05 - 00:17:23:06The reality of a near-death experience00:17:23:06 - 00:28:06:02Concerns with seeking help00:28:06:02 - 00:35:04:07The importance of Ryan’s training in his shooting00:35:04:07 - 00:38:14:17The decline of fitness levels in law enforcement00:38:14:17 - 00:40:44:20How close was backup on the day of Ryan’s shooting?00:40:44:20 - 00:48:14:13The aftermath00:48:14:13 - 00:52:25:04How has Ryan’s mindset changed?00:52:25:04 - 00:53:48:05Ryan’s advice to other LEOs00:53:48:05 - 00:54:55:04Outro

Brian Sizemore and Jared Murphey reflect on the life and death of Brian’s son, Lucas Sizemore—an Atlanta police officer who died by suicide. They open up about Lucas’ childhood, his service in law enforcement, and the lack of apparent changes in his behavior. Through raw honesty and deep reflection, they explore grief, guilt, and the urgent need to talk about mental health in policing—and how we can prevent this kind of loss from happening again.-----00:00:00:00 - 00:01:47:10Teaser00:01:47:10 - 00:02:15:14Intro00:02:15:14 - 00:04:15:02Jared and Brian’s background00:04:15:02 - 00:12:27:04The life of Lucas Sizemore00:12:27:04 - 00:16:08:03Enabling your children00:16:08:03 - 00:24:19:07Lucas’s experience as a police officer in Atlanta00:24:19:07 - 00:27:46:12The lack of apparent change in Lucas’ behavior00:27:46:12 - 00:35:41:03The stress of working in law enforcement00:35:41:03 - 00:36:00:07Midroll00:36:00:07 - 00:43:49:14Repairing your life after losing someone to suicide00:43:49:14 - 00:52:25:03The impacts of suicide00:52:25:03 - 00:57:49:21Valuing life00:57:49:21 - 01:07:47:04Forgiveness & dealing with guilt01:07:47:04 - 01:09:17:03The reality of law enforcement suicide01:09:17:03 - 01:25:32:21How to move forward & how to make change01:25:32:21 - 01:30:54:14The mental health conversation in law enforcement01:30:54:14 - 01:34:43:04What does it mean to care?01:34:43:04 - 01:35:25:23The Lucas Foundation01:35:25:23 - 01:38:42:24Outro

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Sean Murphy, better known as Mr. Motivation, to unpack what it means to build a lasting legacy, both within your family and your community. Sean shares his personal journey, the importance of feeling chosen, and how the impression we leave on our children shapes the future. We dive deep into the concept of tactical empathy, the systemic failures in physical training for law enforcement, and the urgent need for cultural competency in policing. Sean also opens up about what it takes to make meaningful change, how to exit toxic environments, and why using your intelligence, and doing the best you can, matters more than ever.-----00:00:00:00 - 00:01:17:09Teaser00:01:17:09 - 00:01:31:14Intro00:01:31:14 - 00:03:54:15Sean’s background00:03:54:15 - 00:09:09:16Creating legacy for your family & feeling chosen00:09:09:16 - 00:16:14:20The impression you leave on your children00:16:14:20 - 00:25:20:19Tactical empathy00:25:20:19 - 00:38:31:16The failure of physical training in law enforcement00:38:31:16 - 00:50:18:16Cultural competency in law enforcement00:50:18:16 - 00:56:05:19Trying to make change00:56:05:19 - 01:04:07:05How to leave a toxic environment01:04:07:05 - 01:13:32:23Employing your intelligence & doing the best you can01:13:32:23 - 01:15:26:02Outro

Oregon State Representative Jeff Helfrich, a former police sergeant and U.S. Air Force veteran, brings a unique perspective to state leadership—drawing from decades of frontline experience in law enforcement and public service. In this episode, he reflects on the evolution of policing, the challenges of recruitment and retention, and what it will take to support the next generation of officers.-----00:00:00:00 - 00:01:14:12Teaser00:01:14:12 - 00:01:51:07Intro00:01:51:07 - 00:10:56:04Jeff’s background00:10:56:04 - 00:14:28:00Taking care of yourself00:14:28:00 - 00:17:32:21The changing path to a career in law enforcement00:17:32:21 - 00:20:14:02Working in law enforcement in Portland, OR00:20:14:02 - 00:28:19:13The new school of policing00:28:19:13 - 00:32:03:06Feeling supported & recruitment issues00:32:03:06 - 00:34:56:18The impact of self-interest on law enforcement00:34:56:18 - 00:41:32:08The criminalization of drugs00:41:32:08 - 00:47:14:01The steady collapse of law and order00:47:14:01 - 00:54:07:20Higher salaries versus better working conditions00:54:07:20 - 00:57:31:09Recruitment versus retention00:57:31:09 - 01:14:27:24Setting officers up for success01:14:27:24 - 01:15:24:18Outro

Former Police Officer and current Health Coach Ian Cook shares his journey from working within the law enforcement system to advocating for wellness, purpose, and reform. He discusses the mismanagement he witnessed, the creation of Blue Light Lifestyle, and how improving health and performance can reshape lives—on and off the force.-----00:00:00:00 - 00:01:09:11Teaser00:01:09:11 - 00:02:10:06Intro00:02:10:06 - 00:04:36:12Ian’s background00:04:36:12 - 00:13:27:15Working against the industrial complex of law enforcement00:13:27:15 - 00:19:13:10Pursuing your purpose & making a difference00:19:13:10 - 00:26:17:22Horrible mismanagement of resources00:26:17:22 - 00:29:27:03Ian’s work with Blue Light Lifestyle00:29:27:03 - 00:34:13:15Positive interventions & correlation between diet and performance00:34:13:15 - 00:38:19:22Creating a sense of urgency about your own health00:38:19:22 - 00:42:15:10Fitness levels in law enforcement00:42:15:10 - 00:57:09:05Taking care of yourself00:57:09:05 - 01:01:37:24Cultural harmony between the US and the UK01:01:37:24 - 01:05:22:04Outro

Former officer and current social worker Alicia Fitzpatrick shares the traumatic experiences that led her to change careers. She discusses embracing vulnerability, PTSD, and the lasting impact of Deputy Lorenzo Bustos's death.-----00:00:00:00 - 00:01:05:08Teaser00:01:05:08 - 00:03:14:01Intro00:03:14:01 - 00:05:58:17Alicia’s background00:05:58:17 - 00:07:59:23“It takes one to know one.” - Can therapists truly empathize with their patients?00:07:59:23 - 00:13:04:01Encouraging others to be vulnerable00:13:04:01 - 00:21:06:01Alicia’s transition to social work00:21:06:01 - 00:29:50:29Alicia’s self-perception after leaving law enforcement00:29:50:29 - 00:33:08:02Alicia’s shooting & its effect on her00:33:08:02 - 00:42:48:28The death of Deputy Lorenzo Bustos00:42:48:28 - 00:47:27:17The omnipresent tragedy involved with law enforcement00:47:27:17 - 00:53:44:01EMDR00:53:44:01 - 01:00:26:24Chasing adrenaline & relearning how to seek joy01:00:26:24 - 01:02:20:18Outro

Officer Mike Colazzo was one of the primary responders who stopped the 2023 Nashville Covenant School shooting. He shares his firsthand account of the experience, the gaping holes in the law enforcement promotion process, and how to mentally and physically prepare yourself for the worst.-----00:00:00:00 - 00:01:13:15Teaser00:01:13:15 - 00:02:19:11Intro00:02:19:11 - 00:05:50:21Mike’s background00:05:50:21 - 00:09:18:11The 2023 Nashville Covenant School shooting00:09:18:11 - 00:16:51:17Political misguidance & potential preventative measures for protecting schools00:16:51:17 - 00:20:55:1211 minutes of mayhem00:20:55:12 - 00:42:00:02Preparedness & getting the call00:42:00:02 - 00:57:45:07The gaping holes in the promotion process00:57:45:07 - 01:04:35:04The most important quality of a leader01:04:35:04 - 01:07:06:04Outro01:07:06:04 - 01:09:05:18Dennis’ Disney tips

Colin Ledbetter shares the story of his on-duty shooting that left him needing 39 pints of blood to recover. He discusses his family's reaction, collecting his pension, and his hopes for the future.-----00:00:00:00 - 00:01:23:19Teaser00:01:23:19 - 00:01:54:03Intro00:01:54:03 - 00:04:37:18Colin’s background00:04:37:18 - 00:15:04:10Colin’s on-duty shooting00:15:04:10 - 00:16:08:15The shooting’s toll on Colin’s family00:16:08:15 - 00:18:10:04Colin’s rehabilitation process00:18:10:04 - 00:22:35:13The desire to return to work after an injury00:22:35:13 - 00:32:17:19Workers’ compensation & the pension-collecting process for injured officers00:32:17:19 - 00:35:24:06The flaws in police training00:35:24:06 - 00:37:21:10Colin’s ongoing recovery00:37:21:10 - 00:38:39:03Colin’s future00:38:39:03 - 00:40:46:00Having an identity outside of law enforcement00:40:46:00 - 00:42:47:17Colin’s advice for fellow injured officers00:42:47:17 - 00:45:17:09Outro

Leland Chapman of Dog the Bounty Hunter returns to the Street Cop Training Podcast to discuss his life after his television career, his children's perspective on his career, and the loss of Beth Chapman.-----00:00:00:00 - 00:01:02:15Teaser00:01:02:15 - 00:01:34:12Intro00:01:34:12 - 00:06:25:23Leland’s ongoing case in Mexico00:06:25:23 - 00:07:39:17Andrew Luster00:07:39:17 - 00:17:50:13Leland’s life after the end of Dog the Bounty Hunter00:17:50:13 - 00:26:49:02Beth Chapman’s passing00:26:49:02 - 00:33:44:15How do Leland’s children feel about his television career?00:33:44:15 - 00:44:55:13Being famous & humility00:44:55:13 - 00:49:02:22Peace & your significant other00:49:02:22 - 00:50:12:19The 2025 Street Cop Training Conference00:50:12:19 - 00:51:25:17Outro