Podcast
ATO: BRIDGING THE DIVIDE
Hosted by ATO:BRIDGING THE DIVIDE · EN
The Dallas Assist the Officer Foundation in Dallas Texas was created in 1999 to assist the first responder community financially if they suffered injury, illness or death. Now the ATO is providing a stage to hear their incredible stories so we can learn, heal and honor those who served before and after us.
Take a journey with the ATO hosts as we provide the loyal listener a peek behind the curtain of the very complex and trauma filled first responder world.
Contact us at atobridging@gmail.com
Instagram: ato_bridging_divide
ATODALLAS.org
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23episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Episode 132 Dallas Police Sgt. Mark Bacon #9148: Make it Last
3w ago02:50:43Tap to summarizeIn memory of Terry Bacon 1950-2015 Today we welcome Mark Bacon back to the show to finally tell his story. We last heard from Mark in episode 127, as we talked about our time together on the South East CRT, but this story puts the spotlight squarely on a very private man’s life. I have personally wanted to do his episode for years, but Mark being Mark, did not want to come on to talk about himself. Sgt Bacon takes us about to growing up in Missouri, country life, and his path to gaining a love and respect for the law enforcement profession. Marks LE journey started in Missouri, and he quickly developed a work ethic and passion that he would eventually come to Dallas Pd. Dallas PD Assignments: Patrol Operation Disruption Southeast CRT Narcotics: Street Squads, Lab Unit Creator of the Overdose Squad Promotion of Sgt: Patrol, CRT, Sgt of Overdose Squad, Dallas Mayors Detail As you can see the man is successful and this is just noting his professional side with DPD. Mark is much more than his amazing police work and leadership, he is an even better father, husband, and friend. FINALLY……The life of Sgt Mark Bacon
Transcribe →Geaux Time with Dallas Chief Comeaux: Year One in Dallas Texas
Apr 1600:43:37Tap to summarizeWe are back for another Geaux Time with the Chief and we want to recap Chief’s first year at the helm of the ninth largest Police Department in the United States. Chief talks about the many proactive operations: Operation Justice Trail Operation Clean Sweep Operation Safe Streets New Investigative Warrant Unit Hot Team Recruiting boom Sit back and listen to Chief Comeaux reflect back on year one in Big D and what is in store for year two.
Transcribe →Episode 131 Dallas PD Narcs Sgt. Kent Wolverton: The Four Burners Theory
Apr 103:00:09Tap to summarizeFinally, we have talked long time show cohost Kent Wolverton to sit in the hot seat to talk about his life and career. You have heard him for years now give small peeks into his life, offer wise cracks, and hint at some struggles in his life and career. This episode will have a much deeper look at who Kent Wolverton is as a person, professional, and friend. He walks us through the beginning of his career in 2003, and we will dissect his first critical incident in 2005 that nearly ended his Dallas PD career. Kent’s complex journey has many twists and turns that has built a level of resilience that he still works on to this day. Sit back and take a rare closer look at one of the cohosts lives as he shows vulnerability and honesty in hopes others may use his story to help or inspire others. Special guest cohost Dallas SWAT Matt Smith Critical Incidents : Sept 23, 2005, pedestrian struck: Kent was responding to cover officers in South Dallas and accidently struck a pedestrian with his police vehicle. December 2005: Discussion on two separate vehicle incidents that he was a part of. Hostage Rescue on Bruton and High Crest while Sgt in SWAT. 2020 George Floyd Riots and aftermath.
Transcribe →Episode 130 Dallas Child Abuse Detective Kristen King #10671: Instability to Unstoppable
Mar 1602:05:04Tap to summarizeSitting down with Dallas Child Abuse detective Kristen King, we hear a story that begins in instability but unfolds into purpose. Growing up in an unpredictable and difficult home, she learned early what it felt like to live without safety or certainty. Instead of letting that past define her limits, she allowed it to shape her mission. Today, she channels that lived experience into fierce advocacy for children caught in abusive and neglectful environments, bringing both professional skill and personal understanding to every case she handles. Her work is more than law enforcement — it is protection, empathy, and a promise to vulnerable children that their story does not end where it began. Kristen has been a part of the show, as a cohost, since episode 7 and has offered thought provoking questions and insight to pull the very best story from the guest. She is the twin sister of Episode 64, Gillian Ethridge, and wife of podcast host Joe King. Danny Canete will lead this interview of Kristen. Major Cases discussed: Murder of Cash Gernon 2021 Murder of Susette James in 2023
Transcribe →Episode 129 (Ret.) Dallas Homicide Detective Linda Erwin #2937: Trailblazer in Big D
Mar 201:19:51Tap to summarizeWe are honored to sit down with retired Dallas Homicide Detective Linda Erwin as she takes us down the aisles of history in the city and the department. Linda Erwin didn’t just enter the homicide division of the Dallas Police Department — she changed it forever. As the first woman in Dallas history to earn a place among its homicide detectives, she stepped across a line few believed a woman could cross. In an era when doors were closed and expectations were low, she walked into crime scenes, interrogation rooms, and command briefings determined not just to belong, but to excel. Every case she worked carried more than evidence — it carried the weight of proving that courage, intellect, and relentless dedication know no gender. Through grit and undeniable results, she reshaped what leadership looked like in one of policing’s toughest arenas. Her badge, #2937, became more than metal; it became a symbol of possibility, paving the way for every woman who would follow her into the most challenging corners of law enforcement. Homicide Detective Andrea Isom and Sgt. Kent Wolverton cohost. Significant case discussed: The curious case of American serial killer, Henry Lee Lucas. Linda was featured in Netflix the Confession Killer documentary.
Transcribe →A Message from the Hosts: QuikTrip’s Service to the Community
Feb 2400:33:56Tap to summarizeToday we are proud to sit down with one of QT’s dedicated members, James Lollis, to talk about the organizations mission in giving back to the community. Special guest cohost, Dallas Assistant Chief Jeremy Foy and ATO Chairman Joe Meno. The Assist the Officer Foundation and the Dallas Police Department have partnered with Qt with one goal in mind: Making the Dallas Police the Department the best and making the City of Dallas the safest community. QuikTrip began in 1958 and just opened their 1200th store and has many more projects planned across Texas. Since its inception they have poured back into the communities by giving five percent, annually, in charitable donations. Across the country, communities are facing rising levels of homelessness, addiction, youth violence and strained public safety systems. This message from the hosts will detail this great company’s mission and highlight the many police agencies they have assisted. Michael Junk, Public Affairs Manager Lauren Sherry, Community Relations Manager Matt Garcia, Cornerstone Projects discussed: Reality Based Training Village to be constructed at the Dallas Basic Police Academy QT/Fusion partnership Donation of four new blocker trucks to the Dallas Police Department Homeward Bound
Transcribe →Episode 128 Dallas PD Sgt. Haley Valencia and Sgt. Silverio Valencia: Burn the Boats
Feb 1502:14:04Tap to summarizeToday’s episode takes the listener back to our original mission in cultivating an environment to have the tough conversations that could inspires others to get help. The marital partnership of Haley and Silver and their story is a true testament to companionship and resiliency as they both navigated the struggles of their relationship and the effects alcohol can take on a mind, body, and soul. Join us in supporting Haley as she continues her journey of sobriety. By sharing her story, she’s not only reclaiming her own life, but opening the door for others who may be suffering in silence. Her courage to speak openly is a powerful reminder that healing is possible—and that no one has to walk this path alone. Righteous Oaks www.stonegatecenter.com #sobriety #reachout
Transcribe →Geaux Time with Dallas Chief Comeaux: Class 406, No Matter the Risk, We Got Your Six
Feb 500:49:02Tap to summarizeToday we sit down with the Dallas Chief of Police for another episode, but this one comes with two special cohosts to guide this story. Class 406 recruits, Jeremy Delafuente and Casandra Palmer join Chief Comeaux to discuss their short time with the Department and what it means to them to be the future of the profession. Casandra, growing up in Miami, did her research on where to serve and ultimately decided on calling Dallas her new home and her classmate, Jeremy, didn’t have to travel far to join DPD. The Dallas Police Department has been in existence since 1881 and we have only had 31 Police Chiefs and so many great many men and women have put on our badge and served that never get to sit down with one of these Chiefs so we wanted to take a different approach to hear from the future of our Department and get their thoughts on how this journey is beginning for them and how we can continue to evolve our culture of excellency. Class 406 will graduate on February 27th, 2026.
Transcribe →Episode 127 From Chaos to Connection: Inside the Southeast CRT Family
Feb 102:31:38Tap to summarizeToday’s episode is very special to the podcast team as it lets us revisit some of the most fun and memorable times in our careers as we turned a little drug team into a family that created lifelong friends. In 2010, Chief Brown, began an initiative that mandated all seven patrol substations in Dallas to create a street level knock and talk unit that had one mission, to curb the division level narcotic sales. This is the story of when the Southeast CRT was created and how, over time, it turned into an effective team that gained a reputation, not only in the Department, but in the streets amongst the suspects they targeted. To tell this story we see Danny Canete, Sgt. Mark Bacon, and new Ranger Master Sgt. Candelaria return ot the mic to talk about their experiences and growth while working on this team. We will give an inside look at the laughs, the frustrations, close calls, and brotherhoods forged. Child Abuse Detective Kristen King, Sgt Kent Wolverton, and podcast newbie Emily Canete join this roundtable of shenanigans. Enjoy
Transcribe →BTD Revisited I: Episode 100: Dallas SWAT Danny Canete #8834: A Voice From The Darkness
Jan 2504:28:43Tap to summarizeWe finally got em! Danny cocreated the show and quite frankly our product would not be near the quality what it is without Danny and his many talents. We wanted to make 100 special, and I believe we surpassed any expectations I had. Enjoy our Final Revisited episode. **** Trigger Warning Alert**** Episode 100 was always going to be a special episode for our show but when I got today’s guest to finally agree to tell his story I knew I wanted to make it extra special for the listener but also make it special for one of my best friends and one of the most impressive humans I have ever met. – Joe King. We are honored to share this stage with Dallas SWAT Operator and ATO: Bridging the Divide Co-Creator, Daniel Canete. Danny gravitated to music at the age of five and quickly began mastering the language and art of music as he became a student of the piano. Most students that age avoided the stage, but Danny ran to it and excelled and built on his natural inquisitive nature and quickly began performing on that stage. Playing at churches, then to recitals, then began dominating in local and state competitions. He was a natural on the performance stage, this trait will become very important as later he will find himself on a life and death stage. As a musician, his desire was to share music with people to perpetuate a love for the arts and to educate the public in order to keep the classical arts alive. He mastered the piano and percussion but the five-octave marimba will always hold a special place in Danny’s heart. Danny left his mark on the music world at Colorado State as a scholarship was created in his name, the Daniel Canete Music Performance Scholarship. Sometimes we all reach crossroads in life and are thrust into a difficult decision as we navigate our life journey. Danny, with all of his skills and successes and dedication to music, was not impervious to these life changing decisions. 9/11 changed us all and changed the world but for some people, people like Danny, it provided him a new calling to serve this world in a different way. He chose to serve with the Dallas Police Department and was assigned to “God’s Country”, the Southeast Division and fell in love with being a street cop and serving the citizens. This story will finally give the listener a peek into the life of a very private man that just happens to have a very high-profile profession as a member of Dallas SWAT. The stage is set and the ATO listeners are making their way to their seats to see a true talented and gifted performer. Thank you for all of the support you have given us since August of 2021, it has been an incredible journey to 100. Special Thanks: Billings PD Lt. Brandon Wooley USAF Lt. Colonel Zach, Cougar, Fennell Dr. Janet Landreth SWAT Lt. Andre Taylor SWAT ASL Matt Smith SWAT Sgt. Ryan Scott SWAT Brandon Berie Trent Custis Kimberly Canete Critical Incidents Discussed:February 13th, 2012 Officer involved shooting in Pleasant Grove, Southeast Division, as CRT members engaged a robbery suspect. July 7th 2016 The shooting in downtown Dallas on July 7th2016 when five Officers were killed, and nine others were wounded during a protest in downtown Dallas Texas. Two civilians were also injured during this cowardly attack as it was the deadliest incident for law enforcement since the September 11th, 2001, attacks. Daniel Canete Music Performance Scholarship - College of Liberal Arts | Colorado State University (colostate.edu)
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