Ep. 42 Join me on this ride of an episode with Eric Tansey, co-creator and host of Failure to Stop (FTS) and former Raleigh Police Department officer from 2012 to 2019. If you follow Eric on FTS, then you know he is a high-energy, highly-engaging storyteller. And nowhere is that more evident than in his soon-to-be released book, “PIG LATIN, a serious – but funny – true story.” I had the opportunity to read an advance manuscript and talk with Eric about some of the crazy and as well as poignant stories in the book.

We discuss why he got into LE following his service in Special Ops as a US Army Paratrooper from 2003 to 2010.  We get into a few dramatic incidents which include totaling his car after hydroplaning during a pursuit; having his leg broken while fighting with a murder suspect (“I got 12 screws, two pins, a plate and a rod in my left leg.”) And the time he took his mother on a ride-along, made a “routine” traffic stop to show her what it’s like, and ended up in one of the most brutal beatings he ever suffered, all with his mom watching.  We also talk about the incident that is one he just can’t shake. And of course, we cover how he was named Officer of the Year only to have his law enforcement career came to an end when he was fired from Raleigh PD in 2019. 

As he does on FTS, we get into police incidents, the issues facing LE today, the frustrations of the public’s misperceptions of police work, and we revisit a breakdown I was particularly interested in (link to the FTS breakdown below). 

I couldn’t let him go without discussing his accomplishment of becoming a sommelier, a certified specialist in wine, and opening his distillery, InStill Distilling Company in Clayton, North Carolina which he currently operates. And we talk about the importance of family. 

YouTube link to FTS breakdown of Akron Police Department an incident that I discussed with Eric.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zpN8TEcSB8

Thanks to everyone at Failure To Stop for your support. Here is a list of the FTS shows. All air live on YouTube and repost to YouTube and all podcast platforms.

NIGHTSHIFT

With Eric Tansey and Andrea Up Late

Tuesdays 8pm ET

LAST CALL

Eric Tansey and Josh from Dead Leg Media

Wednesdays at noon ET (live for subscribers); replays Thursday

COMM CENTER

Drew Breasy and Jonathan Bates

Thursdays at 8pm ET

Call-in live or leave a voicemail:

848-COMM911 or (848)266-6911

FAILURE TO STOP BREAKDOWN

Eric Tansey and Drew Breasy

Fridays 11am ET 

You can find Jonathan Bates Illustrator of “PIG LATIN, a serious – but funny – true story.” Instagram @difficulttolookatpictures

And let’s not forget Grommett Vommit, the podcast by Eric’s kids.

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©Abby Ellsworth. All interviews, editing, production done by Abby Ellsworth. Music courtesy of freesound.org