Ep. 88: The Most Positive Legacy | 3 Decades of ACTION with a Smile | Detective Tom Riener

Blue Grit Radio : the better cops and community podcast

What greater Legacy is there... Than being known and remembered for doing LEGIT police work, from proactive chases of epic proportions to the being the most attentive, passionate, caring officer… recently retired Detective Tom Riener.

From community members to peers. From victims to suspects. No joke. All with a smile on his face for 3 decades (almost ever moment!
I chat with Tommy about his upstart, his WHY, and how the heck he kept so upbeat through all the chases, shootings, ups and downs of the career. We go down memory lane about his career assignments and experiences, and some of my early memories of him when I was just a new "boot." Hint- I got dizzy. We talk about one of our most significant shared moments (yeah that OIS I was in)... trauma-bonding at it's best (semi-sarcasm).
Tom's positive attitude has been infectious to the locals for years and years.. I am excited and honored to bring his story and overwhelming example of line-leadership and resilience to everyone.
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From Tom:
I was born in Lamar, Colorado in 1965, the second of four children - all boys. In 1968, my dad's job required us to move to Concord, California. I graduated high school in 1983, and then completed training in electronics through Heald Technical College. After graduating trade school with an AS degree, I went to work in the world of electronics for a company known by the name Wang Labs. My work with Wang Labs lasted only five years, before I knew I wanted a career change, which was driven my my dream to pursue a career as a police officer

In 1986 I married Julia, whom I had dated since 1984. She initially was opposed to my becoming a police officer out of concern of potential dangers inherent to the job. However, in 1991, after realizing most cops do go home at the end of shift, and gaining an understanding that this job was my dream job since 4th grade, she supported my pursuit toward my dream.

The drive for me to become a police officer resulted from an incident during my fourth grade year in elementary school. A stranger ordered me and my friend to get in his car as we walked away from my home on our way to school. We fled screaming, and my mom came outside and was able to get suspect's license plate number, which resulted in his arrest within the hour. The positive interaction we had with the officer that responded to our home that day was so impactful that I knew that was the job I wanted as a grown up.

In 1991 was hired by Kent police. Later that year our son Erik was born, followed by our second son Lance in 1994, and finally our little girl - Olivia, who arrived in 1999. My family is by far the most important part of my life, but I was also very fortunate to work for 32 plus year as a police career - my dream job!

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music credit: Drive by AShamaluevMusic