It’s been a while since we shared some Positive Law Enforcement News Stories as we have released several great Getting to Know, Your Local LEO Episodes. If you have not had a chance to listen to them, be sure to check them out.

In this episode, we are going to be sharing a couple stories of officers and agents assisting while off-duty, including taking life-saving measures, to help a citizen, and a wonderful act of compassion from an officer to homeless man.

If you liked this episode, follow us Spotify, Apple, or wherever you get your Podcast, and follow us on LinkedIn or Facebook to get all the latest updates.

Plus, check out our other episodes, as each week we share Your Positive Law Enforcement News Stories from across the globe, and in our "Getting to Know, Your Local LEO" episodes, we speak with members of the law enforcement community about everyday life and most things non-law enforcement.

To be a guest on our show, share a story, have feedback or suggested questions for future guests, E-mail us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠mystory@yourpositivelens.com⁠.

In this Getting to Know, Your Local LEO Episode, we meet Police Commander, Eric Tung, who serves a department in Western Washington, close to Seattle. He is also the founder of Blue Grit Wellness, host of the Blue Grit Radio Podcast, writes for police publications, and speaks on first responder wellness.

In this episode, we learn what it was like growing up as a stereotypical Asian American kid after winning the “birth lottery”. We also dive into a raw and honest discussion regarding his Dad, growing up in a disjointed home, and their tenuous to non-existent relationship, before personal growth sets in, prior to his Dad’s passing.

He also shares with us the importance of the diversity of thought, his unexpected marriage proposal, and the importance of health and wellness, where you can live the life you want, the best way you want to live it.

To learn more about Blue Grit Wellness and subscribe to their free newsletter, you can visit them on the web at www.bluegritwellness.com. While the name may resonate with law enforcement, all can benefit from his newsletter and achieving a balancing and healthy life-style.

If you liked this episode, follow us Spotify, Apple, or wherever you get your Podcast, and follow us on LinkedIn or Facebook to get all the latest updates.

Plus, check out our other episodes, as each week we share Your Positive Law Enforcement News Stories from across the globe, and in our "Getting to Know, Your Local LEO" episodes, we speak with members of the law enforcement community about everyday life and most things non-law enforcement.

To be a guest on our show, share a story, have feedback or suggested questions for future guests, E-mail us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠mystory@yourpositivelens.com⁠ .

Episode 33 is a special edition episode, where we speak with Brian Sizemore. He is the Father of Lucas Sizemore, and Founder of the Lucas Foundation. He is joined by Deputy Special Agent in Charge from Homeland Security Investigations in Detroit, Jared Murphey, who is representing the Lucas Crusade, Bring them Home, 1,000 mile charity relay run.

In this episode Brian shares with us memories of his son and the terrible tragedy and worst day that has ever happened to the Sizemore family, the impact it has had on him, his wife, their youngest son and respective parents. We learn how a foundation, born out of tragedy is seeking to provide vast amounts of mental health care to law enforcement.

Lucas was your everyday normal kid growing up in America, who liked spending time with his younger brother and family, riding his bike, playing sports, making music, traveling, and enjoying life. He found his passion in law enforcement and had a full career of opportunities and success ahead of him. Then everything was cut short by the leading cause of death in law enforcement.

To help prevent future tragedies and learn more about The LUCAS Foundation, you can visit their website at https://www.lawenforcementsunitedcrusadeagainstsuicide.com/ and to register, participate, donate or sponsor the Lucas Crusade, visit https://www.lucascrusade.org/ for all the details. You can also email them at bringthemhome@lucascrusade.org.

If you liked this episode, follow us Spotify, Apple, or wherever you get your Podcast, and follow us on LinkedIn or Facebook to get all the latest updates.

Plus, check out our other episodes, as each week we share Your Positive Law Enforcement News Stories from across the globe, and in our "Getting to Know, Your Local LEO" episodes, we speak with members of the law enforcement community about everyday life and most things non-law enforcement.

To be a guest on our show, share a story, have feedback or suggested questions for future guests, E-mail us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠mystory@yourpositivelens.com⁠

Episode 32 – Part 2 of Getting to Know, Your Local LEO, with recently elected Sheriff Eric Kirsch, of the Wabaunsee County Sheriff’s Office in Kansas. He is a former Marine Corps Captain, who completed several active-duty combat deployments in Afghanistan and Iraq. During his 8-years with Wabaunsee County prior to taking office in 2025, he served as a deputy, detective, detective sergeant, and undersheriff. He is a proud father, husband, and one of the most effective social media Sheriff’s you will find.

In Part 2, we dive right into why he is passionate about assisting those with mental health challenges, and the permission he wants to give them. We learn about what he is most scared of, and the items he uses the most to bag arrests.

He also talks about the passion he developed for hunting, that is combined with humanity and responsibility for wildlife, along with his innovative approach to assisting new student drivers, and...

The very unique role he would play in a music video. You will be surprised by this one...

Finally, shares with us, the incredible story of what happened when he encountered a disabled vehicle of Antifa and anti-police supporters on I-70.

If you liked this episode, follow us Spotify, Apple, or wherever you get your Podcast, and follow us on LinkedIn or Facebook to get all the latest updates.

Plus, check out our other episodes, as each week we share Your Positive Law Enforcement News Stories from across the globe, and in our "Getting to Know, Your Local LEO" episodes, we speak with members of the law enforcement community about everyday life and most things non-law enforcement.

To be a guest on our show, share a story, have feedback or suggested questions for future guests, E-mail us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠mystory@yourpositivelens.com⁠

More about Sheriff Eric Kirsch:

Wabaunsee County (Kansas) Sheriff Eric Kirsch graduated with honors in 2004 from The Citadel in Charleston, SC, USA.

He commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant, United States Marine Corps the same year and was honorably discharged as a Captain after 8 years’ service in 2012.

Mr. Kirsch successfully completed training and earned the 0204 MOS, Counterintelligence / Human Source Intelligence Officer designator and served as Human Intelligence Exploitation Team (HET) Officer in Charge during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Afterwards Mr. Kirsch was selected for a clandestine “B-Billet” and successfully graduated from the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) Joint Counterintelligence Training Academy (JCITA) "Long Course" in 2008, earning the title of “Case Officer” and in 2009 graduated from the Federal Law Enforcement Training Academy, Glynco, GA earning the title Special Agent, Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS).

Mr. Kirsch was assigned to the NCIS, Washington DC Field Office’s (DCWA) Foreign Counterintelligence “A” Squad and Major Case Response Team & led multiple Offensive Foreign Counterintelligence Operations (OFCO).

Mr. Kirsch’s experience includes Marine Corps active duty combat deployments to Operation Iraqi Freedom, in 2006-2007 & 2008, Operation Enduring Freedom (Helmand Province, Afghanistan) in 2011, DIA Clandestine Tradecraft Instructor in Quantico VA, NCIS Special Agent in Washington DC & serving as advisor to the American Government, and Kurdish Regional Government (KRG)as a State Department contractor in Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan during the war against ISIS in 2014 & 2015.

Eric Kirsch ran unopposed & was elected Sheriff of Wabaunsee County Kansas & took office in 2025. He is extraordinarily lucky to have his beautiful Army Combat Helicopter Pilot turned Lawyer spouse Jessica & beautiful 12-year-old daughter Sonja who is a rising champion boxer.

In this Getting to Know, Your Local LEO 2-part Episode – you will meet recently elected Sheriff Eric Kirsch, the Sheriff of Wabaunsee County Kansas. He is a former Marine Corps Captain, who completed several active-duty combat deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan. During his 8-years with Wabaunsee County prior to taking office in 2025, he has served as a deputy, detective, detective sergeant, and undersheriff. He is a husband, father, and one of the most effective social media Sheriff’s you will find.

In Part 1 of this 2-part episode, we talk about his previous aspiring music career, the importance of being authentic, and the key factors that led to him relocating to Kansas.

We learn about his favorite childhood memory with his Dad, the movie that inspired him to get into law enforcement, and how he overcame self-induced alcoholism.

Plus, he shares what may be big surprise to many, about who was his most reliable source of news when he was deployed.

If you liked this episode, follow us Spotify, Apple, or wherever you get your Podcast, and follow us on LinkedIn or Facebook to get all the latest updates.

Plus, check out our other episodes, as each week we share Your Positive Law Enforcement News Stories from across the globe, and in our "Getting to Know, Your Local LEO" episodes, we speak with members of the law enforcement community about everyday life and most things non-law enforcement.

To be a guest on our show, share a story, have feedback or suggested questions for future guests, E-mail us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠mystory@yourpositivelens.com⁠

Wabaunsee County (Kansas) Sheriff Eric Kirsch graduated with honors in2004from The Citadel in Charleston, SC, USA.

He commissioned as a 2ndLieutenant, United States Marine Corps the same year and was honorably discharged as a Captain after 8 years’ service in 2012.

Mr. Kirsch successfully completed training and earned the 0204 MOS, Counterintelligence / Human Source Intelligence Officer designator and served as Human Intelligence Exploitation Team (HET) Officer in Charge during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Afterwards Mr. Kirsch was selected for a clandestine “B-Billet” and successfully graduated from the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) Joint Counterintelligence Training Academy (JCITA) "Long Course" in 2008, earning the title of “Case Officer” and in 2009 graduated from the Federal Law Enforcement Training Academy, Glynco, GA earning the title Special Agent, Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS).

Mr. Kirsch was assigned to the NCIS, Washington DC Field Office’s (DCWA)Foreign Counterintelligence “A” Squad and Major Case Response Team & led multiple Offensive Foreign Counterintelligence Operations (OFCO).

Mr. Kirsch’s experience includes Marine Corps active duty combat deployments to Operation Iraqi Freedom, in 2006-2007 & 2008, Operation Enduring Freedom (Helmand Province, Afghanistan) in 2011, DIA Clandestine Tradecraft Instructor in Quantico VA, NCIS Special Agent in Washington DC & serving as advisor to the American Government, and Kurdish Regional Government (KRG)as a State Department contractor in Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan during the war against ISIS in 2014 & 2015.

Eric Kirsch ran unopposed & was elected Sheriff of Wabaunsee County Kansas& took office in 2025. He is extraordinarily lucky to have his beautiful Army Combat Helicopter Pilot turned Lawyer spouse Jessica & beautiful12-year-old daughter Sonja who is a rising champion boxer.

In Part 2 of this Getting to Know, Your Local LEO Episode, we will continue our conversation with Chief Tracy Basterrechea, the Chief of Police at the Meridian Police Department, in Meridian, Idaho.

In this episode we will pick up where we left off, discussing the tremendous amount of work that goes into branding cattle. He also shares with us his favorite shows to watch, favorite country singer, and his New Year’s Eve specialty dish.

Plus, we talk about the amazing piece of legislation passed in the State of Idaho to assist officers dealing with Post Traumatic Stress Injury and how the city of Meridian helps keep them financially whole.

As we intertwine great leadership into our discussion, we also talk about the amazing culture at the Meridian Police Department, and how YOU can become a part of it. Visit www.joinmeridianpd.org today, to learn more. The next academy starts in October.

If you liked this episode, follow us Spotify, Apple, or wherever you get your Podcast, and follow us on LinkedIn or Facebook to get all the latest updates.

Plus, check out our other episodes, as each week we share Your Positive Law Enforcement News Stories from across the globe, and in our "Getting to Know, Your Local LEO" episodes, we speak with members of the law enforcement community about everyday life and most things non-law enforcement.

To be a guest on our show, share a story, have feedback or suggested questions for future guests, E-mail us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠mystory@yourpositivelens.com⁠

In this Getting to Know, Your Local LEO Episode, you will meet Chief Tracy Basterrechea, the Chief of Police at the Meridian Police Department, in Meridian, Idaho. He has been a member of the police department for almost 29 years, serving as chief over the last 4 plus.

In Part 1 of this 2-part episode, we talk about everyday life and lessons learned, as he shares with us his ancestorial history of being first generation Basque, including being a descendent of a Basque Strongman.

Plus, how growing up in a small-town of people who cared about other people’s successes, combined with a strong family work ethic, had a profound influence on him. However, before his journey into policing, he had other aspirations and state championships to win.

Check out what sport he won his state championships in, what he believes is your best tool, and how he prioritizes time for his son’s events, and how he advocates for intrinsic rewards over extrinsic recognition in personal development.

If you liked this episode, follow us Spotify, Apple, or wherever you get your Podcast, and follow us on LinkedIn or Facebook to get all the latest updates.

Plus, check out our other episodes, as each week we share Your Positive Law Enforcement News Stories from across the globe, and in our "Getting to Know, Your Local LEO" episodes, we speak with members of the law enforcement community about everyday life and most things non-law enforcement.

To be a guest on our show, share a story, have feedback or suggested questions for future guests, E-mail us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠mystory@yourpositivelens.com⁠.

In this episode, we highlight the impactful stories of police officers who go above and beyond in their service to the community. From timely assistance with a flat tire, to a Major’s preparedness in helping a motorist, and the compassionate actions of officers towards a homeless family. These narratives showcase the beauty of humanity and the importance of helping those in need.

If you liked this episode, follow us Spotify, Apple, or wherever you get your Podcast, and follow us on LinkedIn or Facebook to get all the latest updates.

Plus, check out our other episodes, as each week we share Your Positive Law Enforcement News Stories from across the globe, and in our "Getting to Know, Your Local LEO" episodes, we speak with members of the law enforcement community about everyday life and most things non-law enforcement.

To be a guest on our show, share a story, have feedback or suggested questions for future guests, E-mail us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠mystory@yourpositivelens.com⁠.