Officer Down Memorial Podcast

12/24/2025

We know this time of year can be a challenge for survivor families and friends who've lost heroes. Please know we are here for you, we appreciate you, and we will never forget your hero's sacrifice! Take time this year to remember and share the blessed memories that no one can take from you, and know your fallen hero is watching over you. God Bless and Merry Christmas from the Officer Down Memorial Podcast and our sponsor Law Enforcement Labor Services, Inc..

12/23/2025

REMEMBERING CHIEF NEIL JOHNSON

Thomas Underwood was ordered by the courts to stay away from his estranged wife and young daughter. It was almost Christmas. Armed and angry that afternoon, Thomas stormed into the home where his family was staying. Marshal Johnson’s response likely saved many lives that day, and cost him his own. It was 74 years sgo today he died in the line of duty leaving behind his wife and two sons.

You can listen to his story here: https://officerdownmemorialpodcast.com/neil-johnson

This episode is sponsored by our friends at Law Enforcement Labor Services, Inc.

WARNING - This podcast may contain violent content and strong language that may be disturbing to some listeners. Listener discretion advised. If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, help is available 24/7 from the National Su***de Prevention Lifeline by calling 988 on your cell phone or 1-800-273-TALK. Help is just a phone call away.

12/18/2025

I was honored to be asked to speak at the Lawson Badge Pinning Ceremony for the Itasca County Sheriff's Office today. 5 years ago today we released the Robert (Beefy) Lawson Story. I never imagined 5 years to the day, I would be in Itasca County meeting all the amazing cops and family who helped tell Beefy's story, and watching Beefy's badge #703 be "un-retired" and pinned on their newest patrol deputy, Beefy's grandson DJ. The community center was full of family and locals there to remember and honor Beefy. So many amazing people. Such an amazing community. Great job Sheriff Joe Dasovich! I can think of no better way to remember and honor this fallen hero then to allow his legacy of kindless and service to continue through the service of his grandson. Lots of smiles, tears, and stories shared. Such an amazing day. Never Forgotten! 🖤💙🖤 Scott

The legacy of badge #703 lives on. Robert 'Beefy' Lawson died in the line of duty trying to protect two little kids back in 1981. His badge was retired. But now, it's been given to his grandson, DJ Roberts, a current deputy with Itasca County.

12/16/2025

REMEMBERING OFFICER MIKE HOGAN
​EOW - Dec 15th, 1989

43 year old Mike Hogan grew up in Hutchinson Minnesota, served his country in Vietnam after high school, and returned to his home town to serve as a police officer. When he wasn't patrolling or coaching at the high school, he was spending time with his wife and three kids. Mike loved being a cop, loved his country, loved this community, and loved his family. On a bitterly cold Friday night in December, Mike would get dispatched to a shoplifting complaint at the JC Penny store in the local mall. A misdemeanor shoplifting call ended in Mike getting murdered by an ex-con, followed by a series of multi-county crimes including a carjacking, 3 kidnappings, a r**e, a high speed pursuit, and a standoff with hostages before Mike's murderer would finally be taken into custody. His murder left his family devastated, an agency in mourning, and this normally quiet, rural community in shock at the loss of this local hero.

​​It was 36 years ago today we lost this hero. You can learn more about his story on his memorial page at: https://officerdownmemorialpodcast.com/mike-hogan

This episode is sponsored by our friends at Law Enforcement Labor Services, Inc.
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WARNING: Violent content and strong language may be disturbing to some listeners. Listener discretion advised. If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, help is available 24/7 from the National Su***de Prevention Lifeline by calling 988 on your cell phone or 1-800-273-TALK. Help is just a phone call away.

12/04/2025

REMEMBERING MATHEW HAMILTON
EOW 12/03/1874

It was December 3rd, 1874. The beginning of the 4th coldest December Minnesotan’s had ever experienced. The country was in the last few years of the Reconstruction Era following the American Civil War, and Republican President Ulysses S. Grant was fighting for the protection of African Americans in the South through the use of the Enforcement Acts passed by Congress. Christmas was just a few weeks away. The depression had been going on for about a year, but the railroad business was strong, especially in Winona MN thanks to the Winona St. Peter Railroad.

Special Officer Mathew Hamilton was patrolling the depot, when he came up against a drunk patron who wasn't going to go peacefully....he would lose life making Officer Hamilton Minnesota’s first fallen officer.

This was the first fallen officer story on the podcast and is sponsored by our friends at Law Enforcement Labor Services, Inc.

Click the link to listen to this hero’s story:

12/01/2025

THE LEO PAVLAK STORY
​EOW - Aug 30th, 1933

39 year old Leo Pavlak joined the South Saint Paul Police Department at the height of the Great Depression and in what would be the last year of Prohibition in the country. South St. Paul was a major center for the livestock and meatpacking industry, at times even bigger than Chicago's famed stockyards in terms of annual animal handling. The enormous volume of business meant a substantial amount of money changed hands daily, especially on payroll days. Officers Leo Pavlak and John Yeaman were assigned to es**rt two messengers transporting over $30,000 (worth nearly $750,000 in 2025) in payroll money and were confronted by members of the Ma Barker-Karpis Gang. The brutal morning shootout resulted in both officers being shot and a nationwide manhunt for the killers. Leo was shot and killed in front of the Post Office leaving behind his young wife Pauline, his 9 year old son Robert, and his 11 year old daughter Eleanor.

Although Leo’s life was tragically cut short, his legacy of service and dedication to law enforcement has endured for nearly a century. Three generations of his family have continued that commitment of serving in law enforcement within the Twin Cities metro area. With the support of the South Saint Paul Police Department and the Pavlak family, we share his story—honoring the remarkable legacy of Patrolman Leo Pavlak and the enduring influence his memory holds for those who wear the badge.

Click here to listen to this hero’s story: https://officerdownmemorialpodcast.com/leo-pavlak

This episode is sponsored by our friends at Law Enforcement Labor Services, Inc.

WARNING: Violent content and strong language may be disturbing to some listeners. Listener discretion advised.

11/30/2025

This weekend we remember Officer Thomas Decker. He was a known prankster in his department. Everyone called him Tommy. He showed everyone he came in contact with respect and compassion regardless of the circumstances. 13 years ago Tommy responded with his partner to do a welfare check to check on a suicidal subject. Minutes after going out on scene, Tommy was shot and killed outside Winner’s Bar in Cold Spring Minnesota. The hunt for his killer went on for months and when the case was finally closed, it left locals with more questions than answers, and a wife and 4 children without their husband, father, and hero.

This episode is sponsored by our friends at Law Enforcement Labor Services, Inc. You can listen to it here: https://officerdownmemorialpodcast.com/thomas-decker

WARNING - Strong language and violent content may be disturbing to some listeners. If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, help is available 24/7 from the National Su***de Prevention Lifeline by calling 988 on your cell phone or 1-800-273-TALK. Help is just a phone call away.d

11/27/2025

Today is a day to be thankful. Thankful for those willing to put on the badge and risk so much for our safety. Thankful for those families supporting those heroes protecting our families and our communities. We also know there are some law enforcement families who have an empty space at the table, and holidays like this can be difficult. It is our hope that you know how much we appreciate you and the sacrifices made by you and your fallen hero. We will continue to do our part to make sure your hero's service and sacrifice is never forgotten.

11/20/2025

THE LEO PAVLAK STORY
EOW - August 30th, 1933

While we continue to work on South Saint Paul Patrolman Leo Pavlak’s Story from 1933, we have a mystery we are trying to solve. This photo shows Leo with several other officers. Leo served with Armour and Company as an officer before going to SSPPD. We thought this was a SSPPD photo because we recognized at least one other officer as being SSPPD. The mystery is….why do all the other officers have a shield and Leo has a star badge??? Could this be a photo of Armour officers?

You can check out several other photo’s on Leo’s memorial page here: https://officerdownmemorialpodcast.com/leo-pavlak

11/14/2025

INVESTIGATOR BILL GRAY - A SURVIVOR STORY
NOV 14TH, 2014

11 years ago today Bill Gray's life would change forever. A Financial Crimes Investigator for the Chippewa County Sheriff’s Office, he offered to help Homeland Security to search for a missing female juvenile who ran away from Florida with a young male who had flown in from the UK. Homeland Security had information that these two fled to Eau Claire Wisconsin where Investigator Bill Gray served. Bill located the male and was close to locating the female when he was violently attacked without warning in his squad and faced the fight of his life – a fight where only one would survive. He shared his amazing story and lessons learned for other officers.

Bill - “If you don’t shoot them where it matters, it won’t matter.” Bill does public speaking for private companies and law enforcement sharing his story and teaching officer safety, awareness, and human trafficking. If you are interested in learning more, contact Bill at [email protected]

​Learn more about Bill’s story here: https://officerdownmemorialpodcast.com/bill-gray

WARNING - Strong language and violent content may be disturbing to some listeners. If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts or emotional distress due to mental health challenges, help is available 24/7 from the National Su***de & Crisis Prevention Lifeline by calling 988 on your cell phone or 1-800-273-TALK. Help is just a phone call away.

11/13/2025

PAROLE DENIED FOR JOHN SCANLON'S KILLER

Thank you to everyone who sent letters in support of the Scanlon Family for his killer’s parole hearing.

This was an odd hearing. Schneider started with telling the board he wants to move to assisted living to be with “normal” people. He really showed no remorse about killing John. He argued that he shouldn’t have been convicted of 1st degree murder because he didn’t plan it. At one point he seemed to blame his hostage for his shooting John. It’s societies fault. It’s his drinking’s fault. Essentially implying that he is a victim here too. His final comment to the board before they ruled was essentially a weak apology to the family and community. If that had been genuine, he should have started his hearing with an apology.

In the end, the board recognized how he continues to minimize his crimes. They discussed that while he is not likely a threat to society anymore due to his age, the fact he continues to show little remorse and understanding of how impactful his actions were to the Scanlon Family and to the community is disturbing at best.

When he was told his parole would be denied and continued for another 5 years, he was given a last chance to speak. His asked how he could appeal their ruling (the answer was he can’t) and he mentioned discussing his putting in for a commutation with the clemency board - almost like a threat to the board for denying him parole. No mention of remorse or sympathy for the family and for his actions.

Ronald Schneider is a cop killer and is exactly where he needs to be. If you look up the definition of sociopath, his performance today checks every box. Thank you to the MN Supervised Release Board for recognizing that. Also thank you to Commissioner Schnell for recommending this continuance be extended from 3 to 5 years.

You can learn more about Officer John Scanlon on his memorial page: https://officerdownmemorialpodcast.com/john-scanlon

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Scanlon Family and John’s law enforcement community. 🖤💙🖤

11/11/2025

In a world where most of the loudest critics have never served, and believe that freedom is owed not earned, a true hero is someone who understands the degree of responsibility that comes with his freedom.

Today, we honor and remember those brave men and women, past and present, who've served to protect those freedoms that so many take for granted.

God Bless our veterans and their families today and always.