51 Years as Cop & Sheriff: Everglades Voodoo, Bear Attack & Riot Chaos episode artwork

EPISODE · Apr 1, 2026 · 1H 14M

51 Years as Cop & Sheriff: Everglades Voodoo, Bear Attack & Riot Chaos

from Things Police See: Firsthand Accounts · host Steven Gould: Police Sergeant, Investigator, Podcast Host

Join host Steve Gould on Things Police See for an unforgettable interview with Thomas Loughren, a true law enforcement legend with 51 years of service—from rural New York sheriff's deputy to Miccosukee Police in the Florida Everglades, four terms as Chenango County Sheriff, and service on the New York State Commission of Corrections. In this raw, firsthand account, Thomas shares his incredible journey starting as one of the youngest sworn officers in 1972. He opens up about high-speed cadet action, solo patrols in vast rural counties with dead radio spots, intense bar fights, and learning to overcome fear on the job. Bizarre voodoo rituals and black magic in the Everglades (complete with ritual kettles, skulls, and sacrifices) A chaotic midnight restaurant brawl where backup drove right past Wrestling alligators with the Miccosukee tribe A massive motocross riot involving biker gangs, fireworks, and thousands of rowdy campers in the 1970s Diving into a gator-infested canal to rescue drowning suspects Shooting a charging bear to protect an Indian village Building trust with the proud Miccosukee people who never surrendered to the U.S. Cavalry 📖 Grab his book "When Crisis Meets Courage" – https://a.co/d/0hVChhKI Contact Steve - [email protected] Support the TPS show by joining the Patreon community today! https://www.patreon.com/user?u=27353055 Sergeant Steve YouTube Channel  https://www.youtube.com/@UCuobtuGxJny9V5lX5a1ieuw   

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Apr 1, 2026

Embed this episode

NOW PLAYING

51 Years as Cop & Sheriff: Everglades Voodoo, Bear Attack & Riot Chaos

0:00 1:14:14

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

No similar episodes found.

No similar podcasts found.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of Things Police See: Firsthand Accounts?

This episode is 1 hour and 14 minutes long.

When was this Things Police See: Firsthand Accounts episode published?

This episode was published on April 1, 2026.

Can I download this Things Police See: Firsthand Accounts episode?

Yes. Use the download control on the episode player to save the publisher-provided media file.
URL copied to clipboard!