In this episode of Behind the Star, we visit the Orange County Sheriff’s Office Mounted Unit to learn what it’s really like to patrol on horseback.

Master Deputy Lindsay Gonzalez and Corporal Niko Velazquez share how they joined the mounted unit, what it takes to train for the job and the strong bonds formed between deputies and their horses.

Lindsay and Niko talk about patrol work, crowd control, parades, and how horses play a role in community engagement and search and rescue. They also discuss training challenges, funny stories from the field, and what it’s like when a horse retires.

0:44 – History and purpose of the unit
2:30 – Horses: how many, how they’re assigned, and their personalities
7:20 – Daily care, barn duties, and the reality of poop patrol
10:32 – Matching horses to events and understanding their temperaments
11:34 – Where the horses come from and why most are donated
15:13 – Meet James, Justice, Grace, Alessandro, Pocket Change, Remington, Pete, and Blackjack
29:14 – Retirement: when, why, and where they go
31:00 – Law enforcement uses: presence, patrol, and search and rescue
35:12 – Memorable stories, de-escalations, and the public’s love for the unit
39:20 – Weird snacks, funny habits, and diva horses
42:00 – Horses’ intelligence, emotions, and long memories

In this episode of Behind the Star, we sit down with Hostage Negotiation team leaders Lieutenants Abby Hilley and Bill Bartlett for a look inside one of the most intense and high-stakes units at the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.

Abby and Bill share insights into the psychology, preparation, and pressure behind the badge.

Segment Breakdown:

0:44 – Lt. Bartlett shares a real callout story and explains when the Hostage gets involved
3:49 – Who joins the team, how they train, and how the 20-person roster is managed
9:03 – The pressure of knowing lives are on the line
12:54 – What kinds of requests or demands do people make during standoffs?
14:37 – Misconceptions about hostage negotiations
16:52 – How they decide who makes the team
18:48 – Why consistent training is critical
20:17 – How long can a negotiation last?
23:12 – How often do cases involve actual hostages?
24:25 – How they make first contact—and what they’re listening for
29:52 – Most surprising encounter in the field
32:54 – Do they follow up with the people they help?
36:56 – What led Hilley and Bartlett to become negotiators

In this episode of Behind the Star, we visit with Crime Scene Investigator Mikayla Overholtzer and Forensic Firearms Specialist Marriah Herro to uncover what forensics work really looks like at the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.

Mikayla and Marriah break down how they got into the field, what it’s like to work in their unit and how forensics plays a key role in solving everything from shootings to suspicious deaths. Marriah shares how firearms are test-fired, linked to crimes using NIBIN, and even restored when serial numbers are destroyed. Mikayla walks us through her process at crime scenes, including the tough emotional side of the job and how the team supports one another.

You’ll hear wild stories from the field and find out why some scenes smell worse than others. The episode also includes fun rapid-fire questions and heartfelt moments about what drives them to do this work and what they’re most proud of.

0:24 – TV vs. Reality: How shows shape public perception of forensics
2:16 – How Mikayla and Marriah got into the field
3:42 – Overview of the Forensics Unit and roles; why so many women in CSI
5:07 – Types of crime scenes OCSO responds to
8:08 – Marriah breaks down firearms forensics and NIBIN
11:47 – Role of forensic biologists and fingerprint analysts
14:00 – Fun questions: weirdest crime scene finds, unexpected parts of the job
16:18 – Impact of regularly seeing death and trauma as a CSI
19:56 – Mikayla’s scene-processing workflow
23:16 – Memorable moments and stories from the field
30:37 – How friends and family react to their careers
31:57 – Eureka moments, staying updated on case outcomes, proudest moments
37:24 – Testifying in court, mentoring others, advice for aspiring forensic professionals
43:57 – The unit’s family dynamic and trauma bonding
46:28 – Rapid-fire fun: worst smells, weirdest evidence, most “Florida” things
49:23 – Marriah on oddball guns and a test-firing mishap