Behind the Star

Director of Strategic Communications Michelle Guido joins the podcast to talk about a program that has taken on real importance at the Orange County Sheriff's Office. The Community Crime Prevention Awards use seized drug money to support groups that give young people guidance and improve safety in neighborhoods. Michelle explains how the idea started and how it grew into a reliable source of support for local organizations. She also walks through how applications are reviewed and why this program has become a steady point of connection between the agency and the community. 0:00 – How the Community Crime Prevention Awards began 1:12 – What the Law Enforcement Trust Fund is and how seized money can be used 2:07 – Opening the program to smaller, lesser-known organizations 2:30 – First-year launch and early success 3:25 – Growth over five years and approaching $1 million given back 4:20 – Who can apply and what types of programs align with crime prevention 5:45 – Why turning drug money into community support matters 6:55 – Award amounts, vetting, and how recipients are selected 8:18 – Common mistakes and applications that don't qualify 9:13 – Examples of funded programs and success stories 15:25 – How far the funding can go for the right groups 16:43 – Annual award event and building relationships with recipients 17:03 – Tips for first-time applicants and what criteria matter most 20:23 – What the money can and cannot pay for 21:35 – Why the program continues to grow and evolve 22:51 – Deadline, approval process, and when awards are announced 24:57 – Final thoughts and where to apply

Deputy Romaine Campbell opens up about the loss of his young son, how that tragedy reshaped him, and the long, uneven process of finding purpose again. He talks about the job, the pain he tried to outrun, the help he finally accepted, and the work he's doing today to support others walking through their own darkness. 0:00 – Getting into law enforcement 2:40 – The night he got the call about his son 7:55 – Working nonstop to outrun the pain 9:35 – Realizing he wasn't healed 15:11 – Getting help and starting to process everything 19:17 – Time in the courthouse and as an SRO 20:31 – Message about seeking help 23:10 – Writing his book and starting his nonprofit 25:30 – Blessings in his life now 27:09 – How he handles the long delay in the trial 29:07 – Final thoughts for listeners

In this episode of Behind the Star, we visit the Orange County Sheriff's Office Mounted Unit to learn what it's really like to patrol on horseback. Master Deputy Lindsay Gonzalez and Corporal Niko Velazquez share how they joined the mounted unit, what it takes to train for the job and the strong bonds formed between deputies and their horses.  Lindsay and Niko talk about patrol work, crowd control, parades, and how horses play a role in community engagement and search and rescue. They also discuss training challenges, funny stories from the field, and what it's like when a horse retires. 0:44 – History and purpose of the unit  2:30 – Horses: how many, how they're assigned, and their personalities  7:20 – Daily care, barn duties, and the reality of poop patrol  10:32 – Matching horses to events and understanding their temperaments  11:34 – Where the horses come from and why most are donated  15:13 – Meet James, Justice, Grace, Alessandro, Pocket Change, Remington, Pete, and Blackjack  29:14 – Retirement: when, why, and where they go  31:00 – Law enforcement uses: presence, patrol, and search and rescue  35:12 – Memorable stories, de-escalations, and the public's love for the unit  39:20 – Weird snacks, funny habits, and diva horses  42:00 – Horses' intelligence, emotions, and long memories 

In this episode of Behind the Star, we sit down with Hostage Negotiation team leaders Lieutenants Abby Hilley and Bill Bartlett for a look inside one of the most intense and high-stakes units at the Orange County Sheriff's Office. Abby and Bill share insights into the psychology, preparation, and pressure behind the badge. Segment Breakdown: 0:44 – Lt. Bartlett shares a real callout story and explains when the Hostage gets involved3:49 – Who joins the team, how they train, and how the 20-person roster is managed9:03 – The pressure of knowing lives are on the line12:54 – What kinds of requests or demands do people make during standoffs?14:37 – Misconceptions about hostage negotiations16:52 – How they decide who makes the team18:48 – Why consistent training is critical20:17 – How long can a negotiation last?23:12 – How often do cases involve actual hostages?24:25 – How they make first contact—and what they're listening for29:52 – Most surprising encounter in the field32:54 – Do they follow up with the people they help?36:56 – What led Hilley and Bartlett to become negotiators

In this episode of Behind the Star, we visit with Crime Scene Investigator Mikayla Overholtzer and Forensic Firearms Specialist Marriah Herro to uncover what forensics work really looks like at the Orange County Sheriff's Office. Mikayla and Marriah break down how they got into the field, what it's like to work in their unit and how forensics plays a key role in solving everything from shootings to suspicious deaths. Marriah shares how firearms are test-fired, linked to crimes using NIBIN, and even restored when serial numbers are destroyed. Mikayla walks us through her process at crime scenes, including the tough emotional side of the job and how the team supports one another. You'll hear wild stories from the field and find out why some scenes smell worse than others. The episode also includes fun rapid-fire questions and heartfelt moments about what drives them to do this work and what they're most proud of. 0:24 – TV vs. Reality: How shows shape public perception of forensics 2:16 – How Mikayla and Marriah got into the field 3:42 – Overview of the Forensics Unit and roles; why so many women in CSI 5:07 – Types of crime scenes OCSO responds to 8:08 – Marriah breaks down firearms forensics and NIBIN 11:47 – Role of forensic biologists and fingerprint analysts 14:00 – Fun questions: weirdest crime scene finds, unexpected parts of the job 16:18 – Impact of regularly seeing death and trauma as a CSI 19:56 – Mikayla's scene-processing workflow 23:16 – Memorable moments and stories from the field 30:37 – How friends and family react to their careers 31:57 – Eureka moments, staying updated on case outcomes, proudest moments 37:24 – Testifying in court, mentoring others, advice for aspiring forensic professionals 43:57 – The unit's family dynamic and trauma bonding 46:28 – Rapid-fire fun: worst smells, weirdest evidence, most "Florida" things 49:23 – Marriah on oddball guns and a test-firing mishap