Watching Two Detectives

S4|E2 GROUND ZERO | THE PILE

Watching Two Detectives

Show Notes

GOLD SHIELDS, GROUND ZERO – SEASON 4 OF WATCHING TWO DETECTIVES THE PILE In the emotional conclusion of this two-part series, retired NYPD detectives and hosts of the Gold Shields podcast, Tom Smith and Dan Murphy, return to share their powerful, firsthand accounts of working at Ground Zero after the September 11th attacks. From the chaotic initial response to the somber days of recovery, this episode paints an unflinching portrait of resilience, grief, and determination. Tom and Dan recount their experiences of climbing the searing-hot rubble, organizing rescue efforts, and the profound toll the events of 9/11 took on their lives and careers. Key Highlights in this Episode: Raw accounts of being on "the pile" in the aftermath of the Twin Towers’ collapse. The harrowing shift from rescue to recovery and the emotional impact of finding remains. The smell, sights, and surreal moments that will stay with them forever. The mental and physical toll of 9/11 and the importance of supporting first responders and their families. As Tom and Dan reflect on the immense responsibility of joining the Joint Terrorism Task Force in the wake of 9/11, they emphasize the strength of camaraderie and the enduring commitment to ensure "never again." SUBSCRIBE FOR BONUS CONTENT Subscribers can access an exclusive bonus episode now, where Tom Smith shares a chilling story about stopping an imminent school shooting at his own children's high school. Available on Apple Podcasts and Patreon. DON’T MISS OUT Follow Watching Two Detectives: Instagram: @watchingtwodetectives @conmunitypodcast

Listen and Subscribe: Watching Two Detectives on Apple Podcasts Patreon.com/Wtdpodcast Website: Sarah Ferris Media Watching Two Detectives is a Sarah Ferris Media production. Share, rate, and review to help others discover these compelling stories of bravery and perseverance. Learn More: Sarah Ferris Media

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Sep 14, 2026

Join Sarah in London on 3–4 October 2026 for a weekend of ethical, victim-centred true crime. CrimeCon UK brings together victims’ families, advocates, investigators, forensic experts and leading podcast creators—all committed to using storytelling to inform, empower and create meaningful change. This year’s guests include Gabby Petito’s family and Claire Throssell MBE, who have transformed unimaginable personal loss into powerful advocacy for others. Book tickets: https://crimeconuk.seetickets.com/ Use code FERRIS at checkout for a discount. Explore CrimeCon UK: https://www.crimecon.co.uk/ See the guest-speaker line-up: https://www.crimecon.co.uk/guest-speakersc57db5fa

Sep 14, 2026

Join Sarah in London on 3–4 October 2026 for a weekend of ethical, victim-centred true crime. CrimeCon UK brings together victims’ families, advocates, investigators, forensic experts and leading podcast creators—all committed to using storytelling to inform, empower and create meaningful change. This year’s guests include Gabby Petito’s family and Claire Throssell MBE, who have transformed unimaginable personal loss into powerful advocacy for others. Book tickets: https://crimeconuk.seetickets.com/ Use code FERRIS at checkout for a discount. Explore CrimeCon UK: https://www.crimecon.co.uk/ See the guest-speaker line-up: https://www.crimecon.co.uk/guest-speakersc57db5fa

Jul 23, 2026

Following the five-part crossover between Watching Two Detectives and Stop the Killing, we are sharing another standout conversation from the Stop the Killing archive. On April 20, 1999, two students arrived at Columbine High School intending to bomb the school. When their bombs failed, they opened fire. At the time, 12 students and one teacher were killed. In February 2025, Columbine survivor Anne Marie Hochhalter died from complications linked to the gunshot wounds she sustained during the attack. Her death was later ruled a homicide, bringing the recognised death toll to 13 students and one teacher — 14 victims in total. In this episode, Sarah Ferris and Katherine Schweit speak with Frank DeAngelis, the former principal of Columbine High School. Frank takes us back inside the school on the day of the attack and shares what it was like to lead a community through unimaginable violence, grief and trauma. But this conversation is about far more than the events of April 20. Frank explains how the impact of a school shooting continues long after the emergency vehicles, investigators and television cameras leave. The psychological wounds spread through students, teachers, families, first responders and the wider community — and for many, those wounds last a lifetime. He also reflects on the responsibility he felt toward the Columbine community, the promises he made to the families and why his role did not simply end when he retired as principal. This is a conversation about leadership, survivor guilt, recovery, school safety and the human consequences that cannot be measured by casualty numbers alone. It is also a reminder that behind every statistic is a person, a family and a life forever altered. Let’s Be FrankFrank discusses school security, hardening targets and why safety measures can go too far when they begin to change schools from welcoming places into fortresses: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/stop-the-killing/id1585146489?i=1000669832290 This bonus episode includes excerpts from a longer conversation with Frank that were not included in the original episode. Please follow Stop the Killing wherever you listen to podcasts for more conversations with Frank DeAngelis and more than 200 episodes examining mass shootings, school safety, active-shooter response, prevention, survival and the people left carrying the consequences. And stay following Watching Two Detectives for Season Six: Biddy: I’m So Shiny, I Can Twinkle Like a Star. The story of ten-year-old Bridget “Biddy” Porter, the warning signs before her murder and the family fighting to give their daughter back the name, story and voice that were taken from her. WANT THE VIDEOS HEAD TO YOUTUBE @sarahferrismedia And if you are wanting AD FREE | EARLY ACCESS | BONUS CONTENT HIT THE BANNER ON APPLE PODCASTS TO SUBSCRIBE OR SUPPORT US: Patreon.com/stopthekilling Message us on instagram : @conmunitypodcast @stopthekillingstories And for all things Katherine Schweit including where you can purchase her book STOP THE KILLING: How to end the mass shooting crisis head to: www.katherineschweit.com RESOURCES Stop the Bleed training FBI RUN, HIDE, FIGHT This is a CONmunity Podcast Production on the Killer Podcasts Network Check out more: CONNING THE CON KLOOGHLESS - THE LONG CON GUILTY GREENIE THE BRAVERY ACADEMY Klooghless: The Long Con Watching Two Detectives

Jul 16, 2026

Following our five-part crossover between Watching Two Detectives and Stop the Killing, we’re sharing a specially selected episode from the Stop the Killing archive. On May 24, 2022, a gunman entered Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, killing 19 children and two teachers and injuring 17 others. This episode was recorded just two days after the Uvalde school shooting, while information was still emerging and before the full, deeply troubling picture of the police response became known. Sarah Ferris is joined by Katherine Schweit, former head of the FBI’s Active Shooter Program, to examine what was understood in those first 48 hours. They discuss the gunman’s movements before the attack, his social-media activity, warning behaviours, access to firearms, the early questions surrounding school security and the initial reports of a lengthy delay before officers entered the classroom. Katherine also challenges some of the misinformation and conspiracy theories that appeared almost immediately after the shooting and explains how to identify reliable information during a rapidly unfolding investigation. The conversation explores why blaming mass shootings solely on mental illness is both misleading and unsupported by research, the difference between mental illness and urgent emotional distress, and the importance of recognising concerning behaviour before violence occurs. Because this episode captures the immediate aftermath, some early information discussed was later corrected or clarified. As official investigations progressed, Stop the Killing returned to Uvalde several times to examine the police response, command failures, active-shooter protocols and the legal questions surrounding accountability. Uvalde, Texas — Robb Elementary School MassacreThe original episode recorded immediately after the shooting:https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/stop-the-killing/id1585146489?i=1000564101644 Bonus 4: Uvalde UpdateKatherine examines the emerging timeline, the delay in confronting the shooter and the question of who was in command:https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/stop-the-killing/id1585146489?i=1000567936043 The Uvalde Shooting — A Comprehensive AnalysisA detailed reconstruction based on the US Department of Justice Critical Incident Review, including the 77-minute delay and systemic failures in leadership, communication and command:https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/stop-the-killing/id1585146489?i=1000746309846 Uvalde Trial Verdict: What the Decision Really MeansKatherine explains the legal outcome, what the verdict established and why criminal, civil and command accountability are not the same:https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/stop-the-killing/id1585146489?i=1000746304659 This episode is being shared on the Watching Two Detectives feed to give listeners a taste of the more than 200 episodes available from Stop the Killing. Please follow Stop the Killing wherever you listen to podcasts for more expert-led conversations about mass shootings, active-shooter response, prevention, survival and the human impact left behind. Next week on Watching Two Detectives, we’ll share a powerful conversation with Frank DeAngelis, former principal of Columbine High School, about April 20, 1999, the attack’s aftermath and the psychological scars carried by the Columbine community decades later. Continue the Uvalde deep dive

Jul 9, 2026

In the fifth and final episode of this special crossover between Stop the Killing and Watching Two Detectives, former head of the FBI’s Active Shooter Program Katherine Schweit joins retired New South Wales detectives Scott Rogan and Peter Hogan one last time. The conversation begins with the information we still do not know about the Bondi Beach mass shooting — and why pending court proceedings, privacy laws and suppression orders can limit what is released to the public. Katherine, Scott and Peter examine the growing pressure for instant answers after major crimes, the spread of conspiracy theories and the new challenge facing investigators: artificial intelligence making it increasingly difficult to know whether video, images and evidence shared online are real. They also reflect on the extraordinary courage shown during the attack. Bondi lifesavers ran towards danger with first-aid kits while shots were still being fired. Ordinary people protected strangers, carried the injured and made decisions in seconds that may have saved lives. But what about those who freeze? Katherine explains why fight, flight and freeze are all normal human responses — and why nobody can truly know how they will react until they are placed in that situation. Her advice is clear: your first responsibility is to survive and return home to the people who love you. The episode then turns to the personal mission behind both podcasts. Katherine reflects on leaving the FBI but never leaving the work behind, and on how Stop the Killing restored some of her faith in humanity by creating a community of listeners who want answers, solutions and practical ways to make their communities safer. Scott and Peter explore the emotional toll of law enforcement, the coping mechanisms officers develop and why bringing humanity back into these conversations matters. This final episode also considers how victims should be spoken about. Behind every statistic is a person, a family and a life permanently changed. This is the final chapter of the five-part Stop the Killing x Watching Two Detectives crossover — a series about the Bondi Beach mass shooting, police response, misinformation, courage, survival and prevention. Because this is more than true crime. It is a mission. Over the next few weeks, both podcast feeds will continue the crossover. Watching Two Detectives will feature selected episodes from the more than 200 episodes of Stop the Killing, while Stop the Killing will share the first two episodes of the award-winning first season of Watching Two Detectives. Follow both podcasts to hear more powerful, victim-focused stories and expert conversations designed to inform, challenge and help keep people safer. WANT THE VIDEOS HEAD TO YOUTUBE @sarahferrismedia And if you are wanting AD FREE | EARLY ACCESS | BONUS CONTENT HIT THE BANNER ON APPLE PODCASTS TO SUBSCRIBE OR SUPPORT US: Patreon.com/stopthekilling Message us on instagram : @conmunitypodcast @stopthekillingstories And for all things Katherine Schweit including where you can purchase her book STOP THE KILLING: How to end the mass shooting crisis head to: www.katherineschweit.com RESOURCES Stop the Bleed training FBI RUN, HIDE, FIGHT This is a CONmunity Podcast Production on the Killer Podcasts Network Check out more: CONNING THE CON KLOOGHLESS - THE LONG CON GUILTY GREENIE THE BRAVERY ACADEMY Klooghless: The Long Con Watching Two Detectives

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