My Journey with the Badge

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My Journey with the Badge

Dedicated to sharing the stories of retired law enforcement officers.

12/08/2025

“It Wasn’t a Mask” Episode 35: Officer Will Sperling’s Story Available Now on YouTube at My Journey with the Badge!

https://www.youtube.com/

In Episode 35 of My Journey with the Badge, retired Woodridge (IL) Police Officer Will Sperling shares a remarkable 35-year law enforcement career – beginning as a teenage Explorer in 1971 and ending as one of the most versatile and respected officers in the western suburbs of Chicago.

From dispatching calls in the early 1970s… to confronting one of the most shocking scenes of his career when a woman asked him to “tell her sister to take off that stupid Halloween mask” – only to discover it wasn’t a mask at all – this episode takes you inside the real, unfiltered world of policing.

11/25/2025

Available Now! | Episode 34: Chief Jim O’Shea’s Story - Retired Village of River Forest

A routine patrol turned into a nightmare scenario… A predator stalking joggers. A trunk with a kill kit. A victim running for her life - bullets still flying. This is just one of the cases former Chief Jim O’Shea will never forget.

🎬 Watch the FULL Episode: “What’s in the Trunk?” Chief Jim O’Shea’s Story on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/

11/10/2025

“Traffic Stop Turned Deadly” Episode 33 is now LIVE 🎥
Danny Gregoire’s Story - Newark NJ Detective (ret.)

In this episode, Danny walks us through a traffic stop that changed everything - the kind of moment that stays with you long after you retire.

Watch now and share with someone who needs to hear this story.
👇👇
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fbt7ezs-Ghc&t=786s

10/27/2025

"Life with a Traumatic Brain Injury" Episode 32: Officer Jennifer Markowski's Story available now on YouTube.

👉 Watch the full episode to hear Jennifer’s complete journey—from patrol and undercover work, to life after a career-ending injury: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTGoQMjJF1U&t=237s

While trying to take an adult suspect into custody, Jennifer was shoved and taken to the ground. The struggle spilled onto a front lawn, and in the chaos, her head struck the sharp edge of a sidewalk. The suspect then headbutted her twice in the face (hard enough to give himself a concussion) while leaving Jennifer with the traumatic brain injury that would ultimately end her law enforcement career.

This moment is raw, unforgettable, and a sobering reminder of the dangers officers face in even “routine” encounters.

10/13/2025

🚨 "From DARE to Dive Rescue" Episode 31: John Bojtos’ Story Available Now on YouTube!

From teaching kids to stay drug-free to pulling victims from dark waters, Officer John Bojtos’ journey is one of service, courage, and compassion. This short clip is just a glimpse into a remarkable 28-year career that you don’t want to miss.

🎧 Click the link below to hear his full story → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6ChNQcwbu4&t=2984s

10/04/2025

In this clip from Episode 30 "The Pitbull Whisperer", retired Detective Aurelio G Delarosa recalls one of the most heartbreaking calls of his career – a desperate attempt to save an infant who wasn’t breathing.

Responding with fellow officer James Gully, Aurelio rushed into the apartment, took the child into his arms, and immediately began CPR. Despite his efforts, the infant did not survive. The memory remains vivid decades later – a haunting reminder of the weight law enforcement officers carry long after the call ends.

This is the reality behind the badge: moments of courage, tragedy, and humanity that stay with officers forever.

🔹 Full episode available now on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9spsmCV_Bg&t=3688s

09/29/2025

Episode 30 Rockford Illinois Police Department Det. Aurelio DeLaRosa (ret.) available now on YouTube!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9spsmCV_Bg&t=4978s

What does it take to thrive in law enforcement for more than two decades—while facing violent suspects, vicious dogs, and the toughest moments that stay with you for life? In this powerful episode of My Journey with the Badge, Detective Aurelio DeLaRosa shares his journey from Rockford, Illinois to the Scott County Sheriff’s Office in Iowa.

Aurelio’s career began in 1999 with the Rockford Police Department, where he worked Patrol, Investigations, and SWAT, eventually becoming a Detective and Sniper. He served as a Field Training Officer, Master Fi****ms Instructor, and Range Master, shaping countless officers across the Midwest. Later, he continued serving as a Bailiff with Scott County until 2023.

Known for his steady presence and teaching ability, Aurelio earned a reputation as a “Pitbull Whisperer”—handling dangerous encounters with fearless calm, whether it was tactical entries, gang task force cases, or armed suspects with children involved. His story blends action, leadership, heartbreak, and lessons that every cop—and every citizen—can learn from.

09/26/2025

New episode lands Monday, Sept 29: Episode 30 – “The Pitbull Whisperer” featuring retired Rockford IL Det. Aurelio DeLaRosa. Don’t miss it! 🔔

https://www.youtube.com/

09/18/2025

Available Now on YouTube/ "30 Years in Newark" Episode 29: Neil Minovich’s Story

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHfmicgJF10&t=6s

🚔 What’s it really like starting your law enforcement career in one of America’s toughest cities? In this promo from My Journey with the Badge Episode 29, retired Newark Police Lieutenant Neil Minovich takes us back to his very first week on the job—a night shift that turned into a story you won’t believe.

From unexpected lessons in neighborhood policing to hitting parked cars on the way to a call, Neil shares a raw, unfiltered look at what it meant to wear the badge in Newark during the 1980s.

📌 Don’t miss this unforgettable ride-along into the unpredictable reality of being a rookie cop in Newark.

About Neil Minovich:

Neil began his career in 1980 with the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office before joining the Newark Police Department in 1981. Over three decades, he served in Patrol, Narcotics, Tactical Force, Auto Squad, Robbery Squad, and the Detective Bureau. Rising to Detective Lieutenant, he worked alongside the FBI and DEA, supervised specialized units, and witnessed firsthand the changes in policing from the 1980s through 2010.

✨ Real police stories with the retired officers who lived it, led it, and survived it.

09/15/2025

Available Now on YouTube at My Journey with the Badge! “30 Years in Newark” Episode 29: Neil Minovich's Story

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHfmicgJF10&t=6s

What’s it like to spend three decades policing one of America’s toughest cities? In Episode 29 of My Journey with the Badge, retired Newark Police Lieutenant Neil Minovich takes us inside his 30-year career with stories of survival, leadership, and lessons learned from the streets.

09/01/2025

Available now on YouTube! "Life as a Police Wife" Episode 28: Cheryl Franklin's Story. Cheryl Franklin shares one of the most difficult moments in her 30+ years as a police wife. After years of watching her husband, retired Downers Grove Police Sergeant Dave Franklin, struggle without getting help, she reached her breaking point and gave him an ultimatum that changed everything.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lY2VuLYAQ_o

08/18/2025

🚨 Episode 27: Tales From the Interrogation Room 🚨

👉 Watch the full episode here: https://www.youtube.com/

Retired Lieutenant Michael Manochio takes us inside some of the most challenging moments of his law enforcement career. From his years in the interrogation room to his 16 years with the Homicide Unit, Lt. Manochio played a critical role in solving some of Union County’s most complex and serious cases.

In this episode of My Journey with the Badge, he shares powerful insights into:
✔️ High-stakes interrogations and criminal interviews
✔️ Investigating homicides and major crimes
✔️ Lessons learned from decades of service in law enforcement

🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe for more true stories from behind the badge.

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http://www.myjourneywiththebadge.com/

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