Cops and Writers Podcast
Cops and Writers is a podcast hosted by retired police sergeant and author, Patrick O'Donnell. The podcast provides valuable insights and humor for crime writers who want to create accurate and believable police stories. O'Donnell conducts in-depth interviews with members of law enforcement and civilian experts, discussing police procedures and culture. He also interviews crime fiction writers and writers from different genres, discussing what works in the ever-changing landscape of book sales and publishing. The podcast offers candid stories told with cop humor and technical details about the world of law enforcement.
Cops and Writers Podcast
171 Retired Boynton Beach Police Officer Eric Reynolds Shares His Story of Transformation and Resilience (Part One)
Today on the show we are going on the road. Well, actually, we’re interviewing someone who is living on the road with his wife and children, Eric Reynolds.
Eric Reynolds, a former Boynton Beach Florida Police Officer turned health advocate, shares a story of transformation and resilience. He is the son of June Hawkins, a retired Miami-Dade Homicide Sgt. and step-son of Sgt Al Singleton who were both featured in the Netflix series Griselda. Eric's journey took an unexpected turn when he discovered through DNA his half-brother, Dave Stull a fellow police officer in Florida. Dave had been RVing full-time for ten years, inspiring Eric to sell his home, continue homeschooling, and travel the country with his family in a toy hauler.
After being wounded in the line of duty, Eric battled PTSD and heart disease, ultimately losing 80 pounds on a ketogenic diet. This transformation motivated him to become a licensed sports nutritionist, personal trainer, and founder of KetoFiveO Sports Nutrition Company. Passionate about holistic health, Eric founded Cops and Campers, a non-profit offering outdoor retreats to help first responders recover from PTSD and chronic health conditions.
In podcast and radio interviews, Eric shares captivating stories from law enforcement, his family journey with his mother June, brother Dave and his personal path through nutrition. His insights into mental health and wellness inspire listeners, while his candid stories of overcoming challenges offer a unique view of police work and the realities of recovery.
In today’s episode we discuss:
· How his mother, June Hawkins career in law enforcement molded his future in law enforcement.
· What did kids said about his mom, June Hawkins, when he was growing up? A female cop, let alone a detective working on a big case was unusual for that time period.
· Did Eric ever sense the danger of his mom’s job when he was a kid? Especially when she was involved in cartel cases like Griselda Blanco?
· My mom is a cop who has a contract out on her life?
· Being a retail security guard helped him later in his law enforcement career.
· The car chase with a bank robber that led to a deadly encounter.
· What really happens during a shootout? It’s not like the movies!
Check out Eric's Keto Five0 and his non-profit, Cops and Campers!
Head on over to the Netflix Griselda page.
Check out the new Cops and Writers YouTube channel!
Check out Field Training (Brew City Blues Book 1)!!
Enjoy the Cops and Writers book series.
Please visit the Cops and Writers website.
