1001 Radio Crime Solvers – “The Big Stand” & “The Big Wish” (DRAGNET Episodes)

Podcast Title: 1001 Radio Crime Solvers
Host: Jon Hagadorn
Episode: “THE BIG STAND” and “THE BIG WISH” (DRAGNET)
Air Date: January 14, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode features two classic stories from the golden age of radio's legendary police procedural, Dragnet. In “The Big Stand,” detectives Friday and Smith investigate a seemingly motiveless murder at a city bus stop, piecing together sparse evidence and reluctant witnesses. The second case, “The Big Wish,” follows the tumultuous journey of a 17-year-old boy battling heroin addiction, highlighting both the personal and community costs of juvenile narcotics rings.

Host Jon Hagadorn briefly introduces the significance of radio detective fiction, positioning Dragnet as a standout in the genre—then the classic stories unfold, showcasing the hardboiled, methodical police work and the human drama at the heart of each crime.

“The Big Stand” (Starts ~[04:00])

Case Summary

Detective Sergeant Joe Friday and partner Frank Smith are called to solve the late-night murder of Matthew Denton, a young, seemingly upright husband and father. The victim is found shot at a bus stop; clues are scant, and nothing points to robbery.

Key Discussion Points & Investigation Steps

• Initial Investigation at the Hospital ([06:30–08:30])

  • Denton dies at 10:13 pm from gunshot wounds.
  • No criminal record, no signs of robbery, money and valuables untouched.

• Witness Interview: Andrew Cates, Newsstand Operator ([10:20–20:00])

  • Cates details the events:
    • Saw Denton dropped off at the corner by another man (later ID’d as Sterling Hall).
    • Describes a second car (black Chevy sedan), two young men get out, confrontation with Denton.
    • “I saw the whole thing happen.” (Cates, [12:10])
    • Argument gets physical, then "bang, bang," and Denton drops—suspects flee.

• Further Leads ([22:00–28:00])

  • Sterling Hall comes forward, explains he dropped Denton off, recalls a minor fender bender earlier that night with another car—gives police a description and the license number.
  • The car is traced, but it’s found to be stolen.

• Dead Ends & Persistence ([28:00–35:00])

  • Denton's background revealed as clean, well-liked; no apparent motive for targeted violence.
  • Detectives run down all possible leads, set up interviews, check mug books.
  • Victim’s wife explains Denton was carrying money to pay hospital bills for their new baby.

• Break in the Case: Months Later ([36:00–40:00])

  • Burglary detail uncovers a lead through Harold Keneally, a small-time fence in possession of stolen car radios.
  • Keneally admits involvement with the car radio thieves and, after pressure, describes two suspects: “A couple of bums. One tall, the other short. Wearing those jeans with the coats made out of the same cloth, you know?” ([39:20])

• Sting & Arrest ([43:30–48:00])

  • Police rolling stakeouts; partial prints connect murder suspects to ongoing car radio thefts.
  • On a tip, detectives apprehend Peter Kyle, who breaks down and confirms his involvement, identifying the shooter as "Dusty."
  • Kyle’s partner, Jesse Haywood Pool, later arrested.

Resolution ([49:00])

Both Kyle and Pool are tried and convicted—murder in the second degree and multiple counts of petty theft.

Notable Quotes / Memorable Moments

• Andrew Cates’ philosophy of witness:
  “Well, it’s the first time I’ve ever been a witness first.” – Andrew Cates, ([13:20])

• On Diligence:
  “Sometimes you just bet the guy tackled more than he could handle.” – Andrew Cates, ([16:00])

• Breaking the Suspect:
  “All right Keneally. Any more you want to tell us?”
  “I guess that’s it. Hey, can you spring another cup of that coffee? It's sure good. About the best I ever tasted.” – Det. Friday & Keneally, ([41:00])

“The Big Wish” (Starts ~[51:00])

Case Summary

Joe Friday and Frank Smith shift to juvenile detail after a 17-year-old, John Colter, enters the police station, desperate to be put in jail to escape his growing heroin addiction. What follows is a deep dive into the mechanics of teen drug rings and a portrait of familial struggle and hope.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

• John Colter’s Surrender ([52:30–55:00])

  • Colter: “I want you to put me in jail. Because it’s the only way I’ll stop. I know it. I gotta be in a cell or I’ll do it again.”
  • Admits to using "four a day," hooked for a year.

• Confession & Backstory ([56:00–01:05:00])

  • Started with marijuana at a Halloween party, peer pressure and boredom playing major roles.
  • Upgraded to heroin through a 19-year-old, Jerry Rolfe, during subsequent parties.
  • “Figured I could quit when I wanted to. Just never seemed to get that far.” – John Colter ([01:03:05])

• Mother’s Agony ([01:08:00–01:15:00])

  • Mrs. Colter overwhelmed by guilt, exhaustion, and anger—single mother struggling to understand her son’s descent.
  • “For the past 17 years, I haven’t had a minute of happiness.” – Mrs. Colter ([01:11:50])
  • Painful confrontation between mother and son—accusations, regret, but also a glimmer of hope.

• Withdrawal & Rehabilitation ([01:16:00–01:20:00])

  • Harrowing details of John’s withdrawal symptoms and emotional state.
  • Police support him through the ordeal, framing addiction as a sickness rather than a crime.

• Cracking the Drug Ring ([01:21:00–01:35:00])

  • John eventually provides names of local pushers, helping launch a series of arrests.
  • Jerry Rolfe is caught and, after a failed suicide attempt in jail, provides the name of the ringleader, Pollard Zern.

• Resolution ([01:38:00])

  • Zern and other narcotics gang members arrested and convicted.
  • John Colter receives treatment, is pronounced cured, and returns to his mother’s care.

Notable Quotes / Memorable Moments

• Addict’s Desperation:
  “I’m hooked bad. I want to stop.” – John Colter ([53:50])

• The Detective’s Empathy:
  “You came to us and you asked for help, didn’t you? … Now, these people are such good friends, why didn’t you go to them? I’ll tell you why you didn’t. Because you were scared. You knew what’d happen if you walked up to them with empty pockets.” – Joe Friday ([01:24:15])

• A Mother’s Sorrow:
  “Try to take it easy with the boy.” – Sgt. Friday
  “Take it easy? That’s a laugh. All I’ve done for him...” – Mrs. Colter ([01:13:15])

• Rehabilitation Hope:
  “After treatment, he was pronounced cured and returned to the custody of his mother.” ([01:40:10])

Key Segment Timestamps

• 04:00 – Dragnet “The Big Stand” opens
• 10:20–20:00 – Newsstand witness account (Andrew Cates)
• 22:00–28:00 – Sterling Hall reports fender bender/triggers new lead
• 36:00–40:00 – Burglary detail breaks the case, Keneally confesses
• 43:30–48:00 – Rolling stakeouts; apprehension
• 51:00 – “The Big Wish” starts (Juvenile narcotics case)
• 52:30–55:00 – John Colter’s desperate confession
• 01:08:00–01:15:00 – Mrs. Colter’s breakdown/interview
• 01:21:00–01:35:00 – John cooperates with police; pushers identified/arrested
• 01:35:00–01:40:00 – Ring leader identified and arrested; John Colter’s redemption

Tone and Language

True to Dragnet style: matter-of-fact, terse yet empathetic, steeped in the procedural reality of police work but never lacking the human element. Dialogue-driven, emphasizing methodical questioning and real-world seriousness. The emotional weight of the cases—grief, regret, redemption—is put forth by sharp, realistic exchanges.

Conclusion

This episode of 1001 Radio Crime Solvers immerses listeners in gripping, classic Dragnet drama: minute-by-minute crime-solving, eyewitness quirks, the slog and payoff of real detective work, and the raw, messy reckonings of those caught in the crossfire—be it criminal or victim. These stories balance gritty realism with a portrait of hope: that justice (and sometimes redemption) is possible through thorough police work and the courage of those, like John Colter, who seek help.