Police Stories: The Rookie Years. Wow! That's Realistic!

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In this episode of the Cops and Writers Podcast bonus series, retired Milwaukee Police Sergeant Patrick O'Donnell reads Chapter 28, "Wow! That's Realistic!" from his upcoming book:

Police Stories: The Rookie Years - True Crime, Chaos, & Life as a Big City Cop

It's 2:00 AM at District Five. Patrick and his partner Rachel are processing an arrest when a bloodcurdling scream echoes from the front lobby: "Help! He's been shot!"

What they find is a dead body with a gunshot wound to the head, a grieving girlfriend, and—behind the victim—District Five's crime prevention display: a casket surrounded by yellow crime scene tape for Police Week.

Hours later, after the body is removed, but the blood remains, the captain walks through and delivers the perfect line: "Damn, that is one realistic crime scene display!"

All stories are real. Names and locations have been changed where necessary.

🎧 This episode includes:

• Why Rachel didn't want to work with Patrick (Grace told her everything)
• The silent treatment shift: eight hours, no breaks, zero conversation
• A running gunfight between two couples that ends in District Five's lobby
• The anti-drunk driving display with a real casket and crime scene tape
• "Oh, the irony of it all."
• How dark humor helps cops survive the worst nights

📘 About the Book:
Police Stories: The Rookie Years - True Crime, Chaos, & Life as a Big City Cop is a true crime memoir chronicling Patrick O'Donnell's early career as a big city cop during Milwaukee's crack wars in the 1990s.

Book Release: Mid-March 2026
Book Update: The manuscript is with the editor! Pre-orders are LIVE on Amazon. The book is currently a #1 New Release in the Biographies of Law Enforcement category.

🔗 Pre-order now: Search "Police Stories: The Rookie Years Patrick O'Donnell" on Amazon or check the link below.

📧 Contact Patrick:
Email: [e-mail]
Website: copsandwriters.com
Facebook Group: Cops and Writers

👍 If this story stuck with you:
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🎙️ Next week: Chapter 31, "All-City Assist" - Three dead bodies, cops taking fire, and a sea of bullet casings at the Blues Oasis. The most intense chapter in the book.

New chapters every Wednesday night.

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