ZONE 7 : Danger, Duty, and the Badge: Detective Tom Smith’s Story

Summary

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Podcast Summary

Crime Stories with Nancy Grace

Episode: Zone 7: Danger, Duty, and the Badge: Detective Tom Smith’s Story

Date: November 16, 2025
Host: Cheryl McCollum (hosting Zone 7, as part of Crime Stories with Nancy Grace)
Guest: Tom Smith, Retired NYPD Detective & National Law Enforcement Hall of Fame Inductee

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Episode Theme & Overview

This Zone 7 special episode celebrates Detective Tom Smith — one of the “heroes the heroes look up to.” Host Cheryl McCollum explores Tom’s storied 35-year career on the NYPD, his influences, his most memorable and harrowing experiences, the importance of partnerships in policing and marriage, and his recent induction into the National Law Enforcement Hall of Fame. Tom reflects candidly on the dangers, duty, self-sacrifice, and lasting bonds formed in a life spent in law enforcement.

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Major Discussion Points & Insights

1. Family Legacy and Choosing the NYPD

• Tom’s Motivation: Tom discusses his father’s long career as an NYPD detective and how, growing up under his father’s influence, he never considered any path other than joining the NYPD.

  • Quote:

    “I grew up idolizing my dad and wanting to be like him...When you have that drive of wanting to be like your dad and wanting to serve in the best police department in the world, you do it 1000% in 100 miles an hour.” (03:57)

• Childhood Memories: Tom vividly describes being mentored by his father, visiting crime scenes, squad rooms, and watching the evening news together — always discussing crime stories and investigative approaches.

  • Quote:

    “We would sit there...and if there was a story about a homicide that was on the news, I would talk to him about it. Like, hey, how would you do this? How would you do that? Where would you start? Who would you talk to?...It just led to what I became.” (06:12)

2. Law Enforcement as a Small World

• Reconnecting Across the Years: Tom shares a touching story about reconnecting with Detective Ralph, America’s most decorated NYPD detective, who worked with Tom’s father in the 41st precinct. Their reunion highlights the tight-knit, generational bonds within law enforcement.
  • Quote:

    “Big world, but small world, especially in our world, which shrinks tremendously when we start talking and throwing names around.” (08:55)

3. Living Through the “Toughest Night” (12:00)

• A Night of Turmoil and Triumph: Tom recounts one unforgettable NYPD shift — in a single night he was involved in a foot chase and arrest, responded to a quadruple shooting, prevented a teen suicide, performed CPR on an infant (who survived), and then rushed to aid a fellow officer who was fatally shot.
  • Quote:

    “We’re doing CPR in the front seat of the car on an eight-day-old baby and get to the emergency room...as soon as we did that, the baby started crying. And then about an hour or two later, we get a call that there's a cop shot...That was one night. That was one 4 to 12 tour that I won't forget.” (09:49–13:05)

4. Most Memorable Arrest (13:12)

• Shootout After His Wedding: Tom details a harrowing shootout one month after his honeymoon, where a fellow cop and friend was shot (but survived). He and his partners apprehended all three suspects, who collectively received over 100 years in prison.
  • Quote:

    “It was personal because of, obviously, them trying to kill us and them shooting Ralph. So that was probably the one that certainly stands out.” (13:43–14:48)

5. The Most Dangerous Assignment: Afghanistan (15:03)

• Transition from NYPD to War Zone: Tom was sent to Afghanistan with the Joint Terrorism Task Force on a kidnapping investigation. He explains the stress, unpredictability, and sheer danger of operating “by their rules, which there aren’t any.”

  • Quote:

    “Having to deal with that—and got out of a couple tough situations...was not being tough…it was pure experience in not panicking and not overreacting.” (15:03)

• Family Sacrifice and Secrecy: Tom’s family knew only that he was going to Afghanistan for 3 months—no details allowed. The impact of his absence on his wife and children, and the emotional labor borne by spouses of officers, are discussed in depth.

  • Quote:

    “My family knew I was going to Afghanistan, but had no idea why, because I couldn’t tell them why…they’re sitting X amount of miles away not knowing where we are.” (20:43–21:21)

  • Quote:

    “To be with the same woman for 35 years is not the norm. And that’s sad to say…especially in our world.” (25:07)

6. The Importance of Picking the Right Partner

• At Home: Both Tom and Cheryl emphasize the critical role a supportive spouse plays in a career marked by uncertainty, trauma, and long absences.
  • Quote (Cheryl):

    "Pick your partner. Take some time. I'm just telling you, it will make all the difference in your life." (24:15)

• On the Job: Tom delves into the unspoken codes, deep trust, and tactical importance of choosing the right police partner. He shares anecdotes about life-saving instincts and the legacy of police partnerships stretching back to his father’s era.
  • Quote:

    “One of the most important decisions you can make in NYPD...That’s what I grew up watching—what partners were like and the relationship of families...That trust, you didn't question it.” (26:23–29:29)

7. Detective Work: Humor, Guts, and Solving Cases

• “Legendary” Detective Stories: Tom tells a classic Bronx robbery squad story where, given only “a male black named Jerome with gold teeth in the Bronx,” he and his partner leveraged street smarts and luck to find and arrest the suspect—minutes before a supervisor’s deadline.
  • Quote:

    "All we had was a male black named Jerome with gold teeth in the Bronx...I said, alright, we'll have it by one o'clock...1245, I call the chief's office…We got him." (31:45–35:55)

8. National Law Enforcement Hall of Fame

• News of His Induction: Tom’s humility comes through as he recalls learning of his Hall of Fame honor—and thinking only of others before himself. Deep emotion follows as he remembers his late father’s influence.
  • Quote:

    "We don’t go into this job to get things like this. It’s not on a checklist…It’s a tremendous honor that I just cherish all the time.” (36:03–39:27)

9. The Power of Law Enforcement Community (“Table 15”)

• A Night of Camaraderie: Cheryl and Tom celebrate the light-hearted, familial spirit of their Hall of Fame induction table—full of laughter, stories, and irreverence that balanced the solemn honor of the evening.
  • Quote:

    “When you have the opportunity to just enjoy something with every breath you have...We laughed and joked and cried and had the best time.” (42:28–43:11)

• The Hall as Family: Both emphasize the sense of belonging and recognition for the entire law enforcement family, brought together by those organizing the Hall of Fame.
  • Quote:

    “Law enforcement is not a singular entity. It’s a family that goes through every single thing that that cop goes through.” (47:36)

10. Continuing Traditions & Lasting Friendship

• Cheryl and Tom describe the traditions and bonds they've forged, including promises to continue subversive Hall of Fame rituals and support each other.
  • Quote (Tom, to Cheryl):

    “You're in my family and I love you dearly in everything you do and to have you be part of my life is a blessing.” (49:40)

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Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• On his calling:
  “That was the drive—wanting to be like your dad and wanting to serve in the best police department in the world.” (03:57)
• On the night that forged him:
  “That was one 4 to 12 tour that I won’t forget. And it’s 32 years ago.” (13:05)
• On job dangers:
  “Now being in the middle of a war zone and playing by their rules, which there aren’t any…” (15:03)
• On family sacrifice:
  “My family knew I was going to Afghanistan, but had no idea why. So think about that.” (21:11)
• Advice for rookies:
  “Pick your partner...it will make all the difference in your life.” (24:15)
• On finding “Jerome”:
  “We got Jerome with gold teeth in the Bronx. 1245. I call the office. We got him.” (35:55)
• On the Hall of Fame:
  “It’s a tremendous honor...We don’t go into this job to get things like this.” (39:27)
• Cherishing camaraderie:
  “It could be its own show. Everything we talked about was true...” (44:00)
• On legacy:
  “You're in my family and I love you dearly...it makes life so much better.” (49:40)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Tom’s NYPD inspiration and growing up with a detective father: 03:57–07:37
• Reconnecting with Detective Ralph, the “walking legend”: 07:48–09:43
• Toughest night on the force: 09:48–13:05
• Most memorable arrest & the post-wedding shootout: 13:12–14:48
• Most dangerous situation: Afghanistan and the terrorism task force: 15:03–17:22, 20:25–22:30
• Spousal sacrifice and advice to rookies: 24:15–25:07
• Importance of the right partner (home/work): 26:23–29:29
• Legendary detective story ("Jerome with gold teeth"): 31:39–35:55
• Hall of Fame induction and reactions: 36:03–39:27
• Table 15 and the importance of law enforcement community: 42:00–47:36
• Tradition, friendship, and closing thoughts: 48:22–49:40

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Tone and Style

The tone throughout is candid, warm, reverent, and laced with law enforcement gallows humor. Both Tom and Cheryl speak with deep respect for the dangers of the job, the seriousness of loss and trauma, but also celebrate the lighter moments and enduring bonds that keep police officers going through it all.

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Summary Takeaway

Detective Tom Smith’s life is a testament to the dangers and rewards of a vocation in policing — from losing friends and risking his life, to saving a baby, to finding laughter and love in the darkest times. His humility and love for his NYPD family, both blood and blue, shine throughout. The episode offers an inside look at the price, privilege, and pride of carrying the badge, and why — decades on — the stories and connections remain as vital as ever.

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Transcript

[Cheryl McCollum]

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[Cheryl McCollum]

Y'. All. This is a Special Zone 7. We are going to talk to somebody that the heroes look up to. You don't have to look any further than the National Law Enforcement hall of Fame that honors officers that have gone above and beyond the call of duty. And tonight we have Tom Smith. He is a part of my zone 7. He is a part of my table 15, and we're going to talk about that. But I welcome him humbly. I know his background, I know his track record, I know his career. Sir, how are you?

[Tom Smith]

I am great. And you just made my day even better. Being here. It's always a privilege and an honor no matter where we are, as long as we're together. And doing a show like this makes it even more special.

[Cheryl McCollum]

You know, let's just start from the beginning. You selected of all the departments in the world, of all the levels, state, local, and federal, the New York City police department. Why NYPD?

[Tom Smith]

My dad was an NYPD detective for 26 years, from 1950 to 1976. So that's all I knew. I knew one department in this world, and it was the nypd. I grew up idolizing my dad and wanting to be like him, just like every little boy, you know, in the world. Growing up and looking at this 6 foot 3 to 20, you know, pound Irishman who controlled his world in law enforcement and was respected like crazy. And that's what I wanted. That's what I wanted, to be just like him. I used to steal his shield when he came home from work and put it on my belt and run around and chase my sisters. So that was, you know, growing up, I was. I was doing one or two things. Charlotte. I was playing baseball or I was going to be a cop, and there was no thought of anywhere else. It was going to be the nypd, and that was it. So when you have that drive of wanting to be like your dad and wanting to serve in the best police department in the world, you do it 1000% in 100 miles an hour. And that's what I did better than.

[Cheryl McCollum]

Anybody, I'm going to tell you. But, you know, I think about your dad, too. From the 50s to the 60s. You want to talk about decades being a stark difference and then rolling into the 70s. I mean, honey, he's got some stories.

[Tom Smith]

Oh, it was when I was with him and go into a Yankee game. That was a history lesson. Anytime we went into the city, whether we went to my sister's house, you know, apartment who lived on the east side, or we would go to a Yankee game, because part of the day wasn't just going to Yankee Stadium. We would stop at the 44 and go up to the squad. We'd go to the 41 Fort Apache and go up to the squad and see all his friends and his partners that he worked with, you know, and that was part of it. So that's what I mean by. It was. It was surrounding me, and it wasn't a lift. It was, yeah, we're going here. We're going here. And standing in a room with a bunch of. Just the best there was at that time. And then driving around the streets and having him point out, oh, yeah, that happened here. That double homicide happened over here. And we chased that guy down that alleyway. It was just all the time. And talk about getting ready for a career when you were young. That's what. That's what I got. And I loved every second of it, me and my dad. I mean, think about this part of. And you know this because we're from the same generation. Part of your night or our night was sitting down together and watching the 6 o' clock news. That was like a TV show. It wasn't the news. It was like, okay, it's six o'. Clock. Let's see what's going on in the world. And we would sit there and if there was a story about a homicide that was on the news, I would talk to him about it. Like, hey, how would you do this? How would you do that? Where would you start? Who would you talk to? And that was the conversation during the news. We would have. If there was a story that was a crime story. And that's what I was so interested in growing up. And it just led to what I became.

[Cheryl McCollum]

And, you know, the world is a small place sometimes. And I interviewed somebody on Zone Seven, Detective Ralph. Remember who I'm talking about?

[Tom Smith]

Yes.

[Cheryl McCollum]

And it was so incredible because you texted me and said, hey, do you have a phone number for him? I think he knew my dad. Will you tell us just a little bit about that when you reconnected with him?

[Tom Smith]

Yeah. I had known about Ralph last year. And then just schedules and life kind of gets in the way of getting in touch with him, and I. And I lost touch with him, and I actually don't know what happened to his contact that I had. And then I saw that you had him on and reached right out to him. He remembered me, and I actually had the opportunity to go to his house and see all the medals and everything he had. And he's the most decorated NYPD detective in its History. I mean, the man is an absolute walking legend. But even better, was talking to him about stories I knew and I had heard from my dad and they actually worked in the 41 and Fort Apache at the same time. He vaguely remembered my dad showed him a couple of pictures of him and he did. So, you know, like you said, big world, but small world, especially in our world, which shrinks tremendously when we start talking and throwing names around. It doesn't matter where you are on this coast or the west coast, if you talk enough to a cop, you're going to find someone in common that you have.

[Cheryl McCollum]

Yes, yes. And I just thought that reunion was amazing. And the pictures of the two of y' all in his house with all of those medals and plaques and commendations, it was just. It got to me because I know your dad would have loved that.

[Tom Smith]

Oh God, it would have been. He would have went with me. Are you kidding me?

[Cheryl McCollum]

Yeah.

[Tom Smith]

If I said to him, if he was still alive and I said, hey, I'm going to see Ralph, you know, he'd be like, all right, let's go.

[Cheryl McCollum]

Love it.

[Tom Smith]

There's no way he would have let me go by myself.

[Cheryl McCollum]

Tell me your toughest night.

[Tom Smith]

Oh, there, there was one. And it's funny you bring that up because I go down and speak in the NYPD academy quite often, either at CIC course, which is a criminal investigation course for new detectives and I'll go and talk to them, or once in a while I'll get to, to speak to the recruits and in even colleges that I go and speak at and I tell them about this one night and God's honest truth, this was the night. I'm going to try to remember it. My partner and I, we were in uniform and we start off the night assisting narcotics who was chasing this guy down the street. So we're getting in a foot pursuit into a park, roll around in the park, lock him up, ripped my shirt, have to go back to the priest and get a new shirt. Later on that night, four people get shot on the corner 149 and Broadway. Have to assist, you know them and go to that scene. And anti crime ended like locking the guy up who did the shooting. So we're assisting running around with that with four people shot. A little time later, a 16 year old girl wanted to jump off a 20 story building and me and my partner got up to the roof in time, grabbed her, flipped her back over the fence and got her out of that situation. A couple of hours later we get a call of an eight day old baby that's not breathing. We run up to the apartment, grab the baby that is totally unresponsive and not breathing, run down the stairs, jump in the car. I'm driving, my partner has a baby on his lap. We're doing 100 miles an hour up Riverside Drive to Columbia Presbyterian Hospital. And the other cops in my command and the Northern Command and the 34 are shutting the streets down as we're going. We're doing CPR in the front seat of the car on an eight day old baby and get to the emergency room and kind of slide sideways into the emergency port. And as soon as we did that, the baby started crying. And then about an hour or two later we get a call that there's a cop shot in the 44 precinct, which is in the Bronx. And they're coming over to Columbia Press because just in the area of the Bronx, they were. It was the closest hospital in Manhattan. And they're flying over there, we're flying up to the hospital to start shutting some streets down or whatever. And they pull into the emergency room. We were just at with a great event that happened a couple hours earlier, saving a baby. And now we have a cop that shot pulling into the same area and get in the backseat and get him out of the car and up on a stretcher and into the emergency room and unfortunately ended up dying from multiple gunshot wounds. That was one night. That was one 4 to 12 tour that I won't forget. And it's 30, probably 32 years ago. And I just rattled it off the way I did because that's the kind of night that was.

[Cheryl McCollum]

It's burned in that memory. How about your most memorable arrest?

[Tom Smith]

Most memorable arrest was probably the shooting we were in. I was involved in a shooting in 1993, a month after I got married. So Ange loved that.

[Cheryl McCollum]

And she is so lovely and she is so supportive and she is just. I mean, I don't have enough wonderful things to say about her. But the timing of that.

[Tom Smith]

Yeah, a month.

[Cheryl McCollum]

Oh man.

[Tom Smith]

Literally, it ended up by the time we got back from our honeymoon, it was probably. Yeah. About two or three weeks later, we get in a shooting with three individuals who robbed the supermarket. One of the cops I was with got shot during the exchange of gunfire. He got shot in the leg. He was okay. He survived, but ended up getting off the job. But we have this shooting with three individuals. Ralph was at my wedding. The couple got shot. My partner, who I was with that day, was at my wedding. So we Were all friends, not just, you know, partners working. And we ended up getting all three of them. We shot two of them, we end up arresting all three, and all three did about 100 years in jail. They're still in jail, which is the best part. But that was, you know, it was personal because of, obviously, them trying to kill us and them shooting Ralph. So that was probably the one that certainly stands out.

[Cheryl McCollum]

Now, you've already mentioned being in shootouts in different situations that were clearly dangerous, being on bridges. What was the most dangerous situation in your 35 years?

[Tom Smith]

Probably when I went to Afghanistan for three months as part of the Joint Terrorism Task Force, we were sent over there on a kidnapping case. And there were numerous things that we ran into over there. Unfortunately, can't get into the specifics of them. But think about just being an NYPD cop and dealing with New York City or the Bronx or Brooklyn, wherever you might be, and now being in the middle of a war zone and playing by their rules, which there aren't any, you know, so having to deal with that and got out of, you know, a couple of tough situations that we were in. And the reason for getting out of them was not being, you know, tough or anything. It was pure experience in not panicking and not overreacting to one or two things and having a great partner at the time and keeping our heads on and just, you know, methodically kind of working with each other to get out of a couple of tough situations. But that was probably, you know, even. Even afterwards. Cheryl, we, you know, my partner, after getting out of one situation, looks at me and yells, hey, I guess we're not in the Bronx anymore.

[Cheryl McCollum]

And, hey, y'. All. It wasn't like y' all were working in, you know, Disneyland.

[Tom Smith]

No.

[Cheryl McCollum]

I mean, y' all had a pretty rough environment y' all were working in every day.

[Tom Smith]

Yeah, every day. Every single day. And when you got back to the embassy compound, you know, you took a deep breath that you got back, you know, and you were thankful for it because it was, you know, if you were the passenger in the car driving around, that was your job. You had to watch everyone walking, every car driving, every double parked car, every, you know, everything going on around you because the driver was just driving. So it was very stressful being out on the street when you had to go and do wherever or you had to drive up to Bagram or wherever we had to go. So when the day was done, you were very thankful you were back home.

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[Tom Smith]

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[Tom Smith]

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[Tom Smith]

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[Cheryl McCollum]

When you sign up for the NYPD at 18, 19, 20, 21. Afghanistan is not crossing your mind. And I bet you there's a lot of people listening right now that don't even realize that a police officer is going to be sent to a war zone on a kidnapping case.

[Tom Smith]

Right. And that's kind of. That was the family. You know, here's the tough part, Cheryl. During the time, you know, we're bound by, you know, classification and top secret clearances and all that when we're working. So think about this. To even add more to that, my family knew I was going to Afghanistan, but had no idea why, because I couldn't tell him why. So, I mean, think about that.

[Cheryl McCollum]

No.

[Tom Smith]

You know, thinking of their stress level of, you know, dad and your husband's going to a war zone and you're an NYPD detective. First of all, why?

[Cheryl McCollum]

Why? Yep.

[Tom Smith]

And then not being able to explain it, and then staying there for three months, not a week, not a few days, three months of not knowing why I was there. So, you know, there's things that happen in a career. And I tell, you know, I just mentioned being at the CIC course. When I go there and talk to young detectives, I tell them, and it happened to me. You have to be prepared for your entire world and career changing in one minute. And that happened to me. You know, I would have been absolutely the happiest detective in New York City if I ended up on a homicide squad in the Bronx. That was my goal. That's where I wanted to be. That was it. That was the top of the line that I thought in the NYPD. And then 911 happens, and 102 minutes later, I'm assigned to the Terrorism Task Force and around the world. So that's what I tell them. You know, it's great to have a plan, but you have to be ready to adapt to something else because the world is what it is today.

[Cheryl McCollum]

And, you know, you go home and you're literally packing and you tell Angie, hey, you know, I don't know how long I'm going to be gone. I can't tell you what I'm doing. I can't tell you exactly. I can tell you Afghanistan, but I can't tell you exactly anything else. You know, See ya. And she just has to be smiling and supportive. I'm going to tell you right now, if I did not have the job that I have and did not have the understanding that I do, I wish Walt McCollum would walk in here and tell me, hey, I'm packing. I got to go. And I can't tell you where. I can't tell you with who, and I can't tell you for how long. You ain't gonna make it to the door, sugar. I'm telling you. So it takes a. To me. She deserves part of your award.

[Tom Smith]

Oh, God. And I said it that night. You and I did.

[Cheryl McCollum]

You did it, and you said it beautifully. And it was true, though.

[Tom Smith]

It was true. Because, you know, spouses don't get enough credit militarily and in law enforcement or first responders as much as they should. Because we know what we're doing. We know where we're at. We know the situations where we're in, and we're trained to handle them. They're sitting X amount of miles away not knowing where we are. And to do that, I mean, think of, you know, my wife. Think about that for 30 years. Not a couple weeks, 30 years of, of that thought in your head of, God, I really hope you come home tonight. You know, and, and living with that, and then not just taking care of yourself, but then taking care of three kids on top of that.

[Cheryl McCollum]

Well, I will say this publicly again for the rookies that are listening, for the young people going into this career, Pick your partner. Take some time. I'm just telling you, it will make all the difference in your life. I mean, Tom, you had an impossible job to go to a war zone when you had not been in the military.

[Tom Smith]

Correct.

[Cheryl McCollum]

And Angie could have been crying and carrying on and throwing stuff and having a fit and the kids could be all out of control, and that would have made your job impossible. But that's not what you had at home. And I just want people to hear that, because if you've got somebody that's jealous, if you've got somebody that doesn't have your back, if you're with somebody that doesn't really want the best for you, you might want to think about that relationship.

[Tom Smith]

Yeah, yeah. It's, you know, I'm. Listen, I say it all the time. And me and you had this Discussion not only, you know, the, the night of the induction, but, you know, after that, that I'm lucky. You know, I'm, I'm one of the fortunate ones because so many marriages don't work and so many things go wrong in relationships with, with police officers. And I'm one of the lucky ones. To be with the Same woman for 35 years is not the norm. And that's sad to say. You know, that's. And I've said it so many times, I hate the reaction I get when I'm out somewhere speaking and I say, you know, I've been with the same woman for 35 years and people look at me, oh, my God, really? And that shouldn't be. And that's sad that that's the reaction, but it's the reality of it, especially in our world.

[Cheryl McCollum]

Most of the people we know are on their second or third marriage.

[Tom Smith]

Yes, absolutely.

[Cheryl McCollum]

So, again, take your time picking.

[Tom Smith]

Take your time.

[Cheryl McCollum]

Speaking of good partners, tell us about being paired up with somebody and you're working 12 hours, if not more in a car.

[Tom Smith]

It is one of the most important decisions you can make in nypd. And, you know, this goes back and it's just. Funny story, but this goes back to watching my dad and watching him with his partners. I mean, I still to this day speak to quite often. And Joe actually just, just passed away a couple of years ago, one of my dad's partners and his family. That's from 50 some odd, 60 years ago that they worked together. And I still am in touch with his entire family. And that's what I grew up watching of what partners were like and the relationship of families and not just, you know, partners in the job, but family relationships and them coming down to our house down the Jersey Shore. And like I said this day, still reaching out to them and seeing how they're doing, what's going on, how are things, all that. And that's what I grew up watching. So that, and here's the funny part of it, it, as silly as it's going to sound, my favorite TV show growing up was Starsky and Hutch. And part.

[Cheryl McCollum]

That's a good one.

[Tom Smith]

Part of Stark, Right. Part of Starsky and Hutch was them as partners and the way they were together. And I as a young kid going, I want that. That's the partner I want. And took that into the job. And I was lucky as anything to have some of the most reliable, smart, tactical friends that were partners. And each of them had a different role in my career. You know, when I was on patrol. George Figueroa was my partner. And we were. I mean, we did it right. We knew each other. We had codes for certain things and keywords for, you know. Yes. You know, when one of them got us out of a bad situation one night, if you want to hear, just real quick, we pull a car over, and we had a deal. We had. We had a system that if we called each other by a different name, something was wrong. And we pulled the car over one night on St. Nicholas Avenue, right off of 145th Street. And I met the passenger. I'm at the driver window and figures at the. The passenger window, he didn't have a passenger. Solo driver. And I'm looking around, I'm talking to him. And Fig goes, hey, Mikey, you okay? I go, yep, I'm all good. And with that, didn't even ask. Opened the door, grabbed the guy out of the car, pulled him out of the car, cuffed him on. On St. Nicholas Avenue, right? You know, in the middle of the street, cuff them all, like, what's up? And he goes in the back seat and pulls a shotgun out of. Under the seat of the driver's side seat. He saw the barrel sticking out, grabbed it. We end up running him. And he was wanted for three bank robberies down in North Carolina.

[Cheryl McCollum]

But it's just that trust, like you said, you didn't question it. You didn't go, huh? Yeah. Oh, my gosh. Just pure action. Cause, you know, he's got you, and.

[Tom Smith]

That was a lot of trust. So, you know, doing that on patrol with him. And then, you know, Carlos Perez, my partner in Narcotics and in the Robbery Squad, you know, and Carlos, I tell him all the time, you know, he's the guy who taught me how to be a detective. And just his mindset of, hey, think outside the box. Don't get caught in that box. You know, let's. Let's think outside this. How we get this? How do we get that? And don't ever stop until we get the bad guys. You know, he used to. He had a saying when we were in Narcotics. Just get the bad guys. We'll figure everything else out later. And I still use. I used that my whole career. Just get the bad guys. Everything else we'll figure out, well, there's brilliance in that.

[Cheryl McCollum]

My partner, Leslie Saunders, you know, she's much older than me. She's probably gonna listen to this episode. So I think she's 80, 81. But anyway, wow. But, you know, that trust, that understanding, you know, we had that thing Leslie can take anything. She can take being called anything. You can be as vulgar and as rude and as profane as you want. But if you call her stupid, we have a situation. I don't know why. I've never really known, because she's not stupid. She's one of the brightest people that I know. But something about somebody calling her that. So you, you know, understanding your partner, you can save that person getting in trouble. You know, you take over the person that's being, you know, loud and, you know, trying to degrade you and, you know, cuss at you so that your partner doesn't take a swing or doesn't, you know, get caught on camera. You know, you gotta have that understanding. And I always felt like part of my job wasn't just to make sure we were safe, but to make sure, you know, she looked good and, you know, we did the right thing.

[Tom Smith]

Sure. And, you know, there was one time. Quick, you'll love this. If. If I can.

[Cheryl McCollum]

Honey, it is your show. You talk about what you want.

[Tom Smith]

There was one time that Carlos actually got mad at me. Mad. Relatively mad. So we're in a robbery squad, and, you know, you go back to when you. When you asked for, you know, your best arrest. I contemplated telling you this story, but the shooting went above it. But this one was really close. We get called into the lieutenant's office, and he says, hey, we got this pattern of these two shootings and these four robberies we think are connected. What do we got on it? Do we have anyone? I'm due in the chief's office at one o', clock, and he's going to rip me a new one for this thing being open. What do we have? And we're like, well, we don't have really anything, boss. We got. All we had was a male black named Jerome with gold teeth in the Bronx. That's all we had. So being the wise ass that I was at the time, I looked at him and I go, what time's your meeting? He goes, one o'. Clock. Now it's like 9:30, 10 o' clock in the morning. So I go, all right, we'll have it by one o'. Clock. And he goes, get out of my office. I'm like, we'll have him by 1 o'. Clock. We walk out of his office. Carlos looks at me, he goes, what are you doing? And, like, he goes, what, are you out of your mind? I go, come on, let's go. He goes, tom, we have Jerome in the Bronx. I'm like, yeah, I know. Let's go. So we go out, and he's looking at me like. I mean, he literally wanted to knock my head off because I did this. So I go, come on, let's go. We go out. He's like, where we going? He said, let's go. The first location of the shooting, up on the Grand Concourse. Walking across the street towards the building, and this kid's walking across towards us, and he kind of looks at us a little funny. So I stop. I said, listen, if he turns around, we're gonna go grab and talk to him. So the kid turns around, looks at us. We run back across the street. We grab him like, hey, what's going on? And they start asking about the shooting. He goes, I don't know who did it. I don't know his name, but I know where his sister lives. Okay, where's the sister live? He gives us the address. So we go over there, and we're sitting in front of, you know, on this block. We have no idea where on the street this possible sister lives. And we're sitting there, and this kid's walking down the street, and he's got a brown paper bag in his hand having a drink. So Carlos is in the passenger seat. Who can talk to anybody? Carlos could talk to the devil. I mean, with no issue whatsoever. And he calls him over, and he starts talking to him. And I look over, and the kid's not opening his mouth. So I say, carlos, make him laugh. Just stay. Just tell a joke. Make him laugh. And the kid laughs. He's got gold teeth. So we get out of the car, and we're like, hey, bro, listen, you can't have an open beer can. You know, everyone sees us talking to you. We got to give you a summons or something. You have your license? He goes, no, I don't. Like, what's your name? He's like, you know, he comes up with his Kevin or something. So we're like, all right. Or mikey, I'm sorry. He said, michael. He says, michael's my name. Well, like, all right, listen, where's your license? Hits up in my sister's apartment. Okay, let's go upstairs to your sister's apartment and get your. Get your license. We go inside. He opens the door, and his sister and he goes, hey, the police are here. They're going to give me a summons for an open container. The sister yells out, jerome, why you always getting in trouble? We grab him, throw him in the hallway, get him on the ground, cuff him, go back to the precinct. 1245 Tom Smith, 1245. I call. We get to the office. I call the chief's office, and I asked for the lieutenant. He's like, what do you want? I said, we got him. He goes, what? I go, we got him. I said, you want us to deliver them to you? You want to come see him? He goes, I'll be right there. He walked in and couldn't believe it.

[Cheryl McCollum]

Yeah, that's why you're a legend right there. So let's talk about when you got the call about the hall of fame.

[Tom Smith]

Yeah. You know, we had nominated Kimbergist to be in the hall of fame. Who is. Oh, my God. I mean, talk. If. If she didn't get in the hall of fame, there shouldn't be a hall of fame, basically. You know, that's why someone like her who got shot eight times and survived, is why the hall of fame was developed. So we had nominated her right after we interviewed her on the show. And one morning, I'm here, and Adam, Megan, and Danny facetimed me. And that wasn't unusual. We had talked before, you know, about whatever. Whatever trip coming up or whatever it might have been. So them calling on a FaceTime wasn't unusual. So Megan starts going, hey, I just want to let you know Kimber got in. So I'm like, oh, my God. You just made my year. You just made everything. I'm happy as hell. Great. I'm thinking about Kimber. And while I'm thinking about Kimber, Megan says my name, and I go, why'd you just say my name? Goes. Did you hear anything I just said to you for the last, like, 40 seconds? I'm like, no, what'd you say? Then I look at her. I'm like, why are you crying?

[Cheryl McCollum]

Oh, yeah.

[Tom Smith]

And she's like. And then she told me that I got in and I was getting a lifetime achievement award, and I just went, wait, what? Like, what are you talking about? I'm happy for Kimber. We're talking about her. She's like, no, you got. And then she starts telling me that I got. I'm gonna be inducted. It took about 10 seconds, and I had to hang up, and I'm like, listen, I can't. I gotta call you guys back. Because 30 years of emotions and what you did and how you did it all came rushing into my head in one shot. And it was an extremely proud moment. And obviously, the first person I think of was my dad, wishing he was still here, that I could have called him and told him that, you know, and everything he instilled in me and taught me and how do you do this and why you're doing it? You know, all that came out. So you can imagine, you know, what I was feeling at that time and then having the opportunity to tell my family and then about an hour later I got to call them back and thank them. But it was, you know, something so incredibly unexpected because we don't. And I said it that night, Cheryl, we don't go into this job to get things like this. We don't. It's not on a checklist. It's not on a to do list. You know, I want to be a cop and get into National Law Enforcement Officers hall of Fame. That's not even thought about and that's not why we get into law enforcement. So when you're thought of like that and able to be inducted into such an organization like this, it's a tremendous honor that I just cherish all the time.

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[Cheryl McCollum]

Let's talk a little bit about table 15. Yes, because for most people, this type of night is elegant, it's formal, it's beautiful. It's a once in a lifetime. It's probably just the pinnacle of your career. I mean, there is nothing any higher, right? But not our table, honey.

[Tom Smith]

Well, you made sure of that because. And you were right in saying it. Listen, we have to. There's too much seriousness that goes into our job and our profession because most of the time, we have to be a certain way and carry ourselves a certain way. But when you have the opportunity to just enjoy something with every breath you have. And we laughed and joked and cried and had the best time, you know, when you have, you know, 25 tables staring at us and looking over at us because we're laughing so much during the night.

[Cheryl McCollum]

The cool kids table. Thank you. Listen, we had Kimber and her mom.

[Tom Smith]

Chicken nuggets and the French fries.

[Cheryl McCollum]

We had Kimber and her mom, you and your lovely bride, Dan and his lovely bride, and Walt and I. And let me tell you, we laughed a lot. But I want everybody to hear me when I tell y'.

[Tom Smith]

All.

[Cheryl McCollum]

When Dan Murphy turns and says, you want to know the best practical joke I ever pulled? The night is going to take a turn, okay? And then Kimber follows up with hers. And then Tom Smith says, well, this may or may not have happened. Well, at that point, I just thought, man, if this table had a recording.

[Tom Smith]

Oh, it would be its own show.

[Cheryl McCollum]

It could be its own show. And everything we talked about was true. Every story I told, every story y' all told, absolutely true. But, honey, it would probably get us in a little bit of trouble with.

[Tom Smith]

Some folks because, oh, my God, it was. You know, we told it from practical jokes to, you know, situations we were all in on the street and. And things we did was. It was just, you know, it was a special night to begin with, but then it was just extra. That was like. It was just an, like, extra innings of a ball game of what it was. And. And we deserve that. You know, I say this all the time, Sean, you do, too. That it's okay for. For cops to feel that they deserve something, you know, a good night like that. It's okay to feel that and to understand that and to cherish those, because we don't get a lot of them, you know, and when we do, we have to enjoy it because we just go through way too much that 99% of the people in this country would never even think of doing. And when you have a chance to just laugh and joke around with people who are now part of your family and love and respect, it makes that night so much more special. And table 15 is going to pop up again in April of 2026. For sure.

[Cheryl McCollum]

For sure. And I'll tell you, you know, what they've done with this hall of fame. You said it that night, and it is the truth. It is a family.

[Tom Smith]

It is. It's just. And it's a special family because of what it represents. It's. It's these stories and these situations that. That people go through and get acknowledged and. And Megan and Adam do God's work because without them, no one knows about these stories. No one knows about Kimber Gist, who got shot eight times, you know, and survived, you know, no one knows those stories of others who won awards at night, the canine awards, you know, you know, all those. And it gives everyone an opportunity to not just hear the stories, but see the people who live through them. And that's even more of an impact when. When these people are standing up on a stage and telling the story of their induction. And they're real. They're flesh and blood. They're humans. They cry, they fail. And it all comes to a head that night, thanks to Megan and Adam's hard work throughout a year. I mean, they start 2025, happened in. In March. Megan started 2026 the following week.

[Cheryl McCollum]

Right. And let me just tell you, Megan and Adam both, they live it, they feel it. They believe in it. They cry. They feel every inductee and want to make sure that they are honored in a way that their families are going to be proud of. This isn't just a, hey, congratulations. You did a great job this one night. That's not it. All year long, they reach out all year long. They're like, hey, everything good? Happy birthday, Happy anniversary. Make sure you've already blocked out the date for April. Like they want this family to come back together year after year.

[Tom Smith]

Yeah, no doubt. That's a great point. Because the night is put together for all the families and the pop and circumstance and the stuff on tables and the speakers and the extra things that they have going on before the induction night. The ceremony is all for families because Megan and Adam understand that law enforcement is not a singular entity. It's a family that goes through every single thing that that cop goes through. The heartache, the pain, the failures, the injuries, all of that is a family thing and they understand that and that's why those nights are special.

[Cheryl McCollum]

And you know, Tom and I started a tradition sort of sub level. Not everybody knows about it, but it's something that's going to continue. And it's one of those things. It's almost like a secret code. And that means the world to me. So I cannot wait for this April to watch you continue the tradition, sir.

[Tom Smith]

Yes. And the only reason, and just to let you know, we didn't do it last year because I wasn't going to do it without you being there. So, you know, that's why it wasn't done last year. So we're both going to be there this year to continue that. And, you know, that's. I get through a speech that was, you know, emotional and I got through it. And then you throw your part in. I was like, really? You know, I got through this and now you're going to throw this at me. But it was. And it's still where I put it that night. And it's going to be removed in April and it's going to be in someone else's hands. So I can't wait for that.

[Cheryl McCollum]

Love it. Well, Tom Smith, I love you, I adore you, I respect you. I am so proud that you were the first guest for the National Law Enforcement hall of fame highlight on Zone 7.

[Tom Smith]

Well, I couldn't be more honored. And you know how I feel about. You talk about clicking with someone and just an immediate connection was what me and you were and continue to be. You know, for everyone listening to this, we talk at least once a week just to say hi because the respect level of our industry, industry can get mired in nonsense a lot. And when you fall in love with true people who just have a admiration and respect for it makes life so much better. And you go through heartaches in this job and a lot of bad stuff. But then when you get to where we are now, it's all worth it because you're in my family and I love you dearly in everything you do and to have you be part of my life is a Blessing.

[Cheryl McCollum]

I'm Cheryl McCollum and this is Zone 7.

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