The Brighter Side of Blue

The Brighter Side of Blue A podcast focusing on the great things law enforcement officers and agencies do on a daily basis

10/22/2025

JJ’s Zen: Why Dogs Are Better Than People...While Danny was telling a simple story about walking his dog, JJ dropped this unexpected gem of street-level philosophy — a “zen” that every married guy can feel deep down.
It’s classic JJ: dark humor, brutal honesty, and the kind of wisdom you won’t find in any self-help book.
Another day of enlightenment (and trouble) on The Brighter Side of Blue.

10/21/2025

The “Third Boob” Co***ne Smuggler — True St. Louis Drug Courier Story...Retired detective Tom Murphy tells one of the most unbelievable drug-courier stories from his St. Louis days — an elderly couple running kilos in a Winnebago.

When the woman started going solo, one trip went south fast: her “hidden” kilo slipped out of her bra right onto a busy airport concourse.
Nobody even noticed… until later, when she confessed everything to a stunned federal judge.
Just another day in the wild world of 1990s drug investigations — only on The Brighter Side of Blue.

***neCourier

10/20/2025

Undercover in the Heat: When the Watchers Almost Got Shot...On this episode of The Brighter Side of Blue, retired St. Louis detectives Tom Murphy and Leo Rice relive one of the most nerve-racking moments of their narcotics days — a wiretap surveillance gone sideways in Spanish Lake.
Leo’s alone in a van on a scorching July stakeout when the suspects suddenly start debating whether to open fire on the truck… and that’s just the beginning.
Old-school police work, pure adrenaline — these are the stories that made “the blue” proud.

💥 NEW EPISODE — The Best Dope Men of STL (1990–2010)They worked the streets. They built the cases. They made “The Blue” ...
10/20/2025

💥 NEW EPISODE — The Best Dope Men of STL (1990–2010)

They worked the streets. They built the cases. They made “The Blue” proud.

In this week’s episode of The Brighter Side of Blue, retired narcotics legends Tommy Murphy and Det. Leo Rice sit down to settle one wild debate —
Who were the best dope men in St. Louis of an era?

From wiretaps to Winnebagos, high-speed chases to courtroom showdowns, these old-school detectives break down the biggest cases of the era and reveal the Top 3 names that defined the St. Louis dope game.

And of course, no list like this would be complete without a nod to the legendary duo “Tommy & Tommy” — Murphy and Tommy Llewellyn — whose work set the standard for major narcotics investigations in St. Louis.

It’s the ultimate double-entendre episode — the best dope men, chosen by the best dope men-catchers.

🎧 Available below — just click play, give it a like, drop a comment, and share it with your crew.

👉

10/18/2025

Don’t Disrespect Pac-Man: The Darcy Brandon Jailhouse Beatdown...Tommy Carroll shares one of those wild 7th-District stories that lived on long after the paperwork.

Known gang member Darcy Brandon was locked up on 38 bench warrants when another prisoner started mouthing off—at the wrong guy, and about the wrong cop. What happened next? Let’s just say Pac-Man got some unexpected street justice.

It’s the kind of story that could only come from The Brighter Side of Blue—where the streets remember everything, and loyalty sometimes comes from the most unlikely places.

From a 1979 Police Journal--The McDonnell Clan A true family of service. 👮‍♂️Pictured here at the St. Louis Police Acade...
10/18/2025

From a 1979 Police Journal--The McDonnell Clan

A true family of service. 👮‍♂️

Pictured here at the St. Louis Police Academy graduation are Bernard McDonnell (fresh out of the Academy), his brother Myles McDonnell — now the City of St. Louis Excise Commissioner and a friend of The Brighter Side of Blue — and their father, Lt. Bernard McDonnell.

Before taking the reins at City Hall, Myles and his longtime partner Kevin Klupe (aka “Cap”) were absolute legends in Missouri Liquor Control. They worked hand-in-hand with our Vice Division over the years — and when they weren’t working the bars, they were in them… with us. 🍻

The Brighter Side of Blue crew has had a lot of great times with Myles and Cap over the years, and we’re hoping to get them both on the show soon to share some “good-ole-days” stories that definitely won’t make the HR newsletter.

10/17/2025

Am I in Trouble?’ — Chief Joe Mokwa on Visiting Officers After They’ve Been Shot...Former St. Louis Police Chief Joe Mokwa recalls the emotional moments visiting officers who’d been shot in the line of duty — and the surprising question many of them asked first: “Am I in trouble?”

He also shares a powerful story about visiting Officer Mark Neese, who was ambushed during a pursuit. During the visit, Police Board member Eddie Roth placed a “hero medallion” around Neese’s neck — a cardboard replica from The Wizard of Oz that symbolized courage in its purest form.

It’s a raw, heartfelt reminder of the self-doubt, humility, and quiet heroism that define so many in law enforcement.

💙HERE'S A COOL STORY...Our guy JJ was gifted an incredible framed photo from one of our loyal listeners and friends — Da...
10/17/2025

💙HERE'S A COOL STORY...Our guy JJ was gifted an incredible framed photo from one of our loyal listeners and friends — Dave Mueller, aka Postal Dave.

It’s a shot of JJ in the dugout with St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Famer Willie McGee, with the inscription:

“Two professionals of different careers — one hits the ball, one hits the streets — who happen to share a common goal: to make it safely home.” ⚾🚔

As if that wasn’t cool enough… after the show, St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department (OFFICIAL)Major Mike Mueller (no relation, just another legend) happened to be there. He still had Willie’s cell number from back in the day when they used to spar — something that came up when Mike was on the podcast.

He snapped a pic of the framed photo and texted it to Willie.
Willie didn’t text back… he called. 😳📞

Next thing you know, JJ’s on the phone with Willie McGee himself — and Willie says he’d be happy to sign it next time he’s in St. Louis.

Unreal moment. A true legend and a class act. 🙌

10/16/2025

JJ’s Big Arrest... Until Tommy Carroll Showed Up 💥😂...Every young cop has that one moment when reality smacks ‘em right in the badge — and for JJ, it came in the form of a bag of crack and Tommy Carroll’s perfectly timed entrance.
Fresh out of probation, JJ proudly laid out his big bust for the whole precinct to admire. Then Tommy walked in… with two bigger bags and a gun.
It’s the kind of humbling every rookie needs — and the kind of story that keeps the laughter rolling on The Brighter Side of Blue.

10/16/2025

Grasshopper: The Wino Who Outsmarted the Dope Boys 🦗💰...Detective Jeff Stone takes us back to the 7th District — where one street legend, known only as Grasshopper, turned chaos into opportunity.
While the cops were chasing dealers down the block, Grasshopper was quietly scooping up their hidden stashes. Then, just to sell the act, he’d call in fake aid alerts pretending to be an officer — all to clear the streets for his next score.
Only on The Brighter Side of Blue do you hear stories like this — where the streets, the scams, and the laughter all meet.

10/14/2025

Chief Dodge’s Missing Kansas Flag — The Beef Continues😂_In this week’s episode of The Brighter Side of Blue, Sunset Hills Chief Steve Dodge goes full detective — accusing retired SLMPD legend Tom Carroll of stealing his beloved Kansas Jayhawks flag 🏳️💙. Tom insists he’s innocent (“no proof!”) — but according to Dodge, the flag turned up years later… as a raffle prize at a charity golf tournament. 😆 Was this a case of interdepartmental espionage… or just another tall tale? Either way, the laughs (and accusations) fly fast in this one. 🎙️ The Brighter Side of Blue — where even the crimes come with a side of comedy.

10/13/2025

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson — the guy calling police a “plague” — apparently can’t live without them. 🤔
150 officers. $20 million a year.
For a man who says we need fewer cops, he sure has a hard time walking to work without a small army.
The Brighter Side crew calls it like it is… with a little blue-flavored honesty. 💙🎙️

👉 Watch, laugh, share — because hypocrisy this big needs a spotlight.

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