Remembering the Fallen, Supporting the Living | Chief Joe Spiess

This week on The Brighter Side of Blue, we sit down with Brentwood Police Chief Joe Spiess and St. Louis Police Department employee Laurie Erson to discuss the 40th Annual St. Louis Police Memorial Breakfast and the powerful stories behind this year's event.Laurie, whose father, Officer Greg Erson, was killed in the line of duty in 1980, shares why she selected Chief Spiess as this year's keynote speaker and reflects on the lifelong bond between the families of fallen officers and the law enforcement community that continues to support them decades later.Chief Spiess talks about the emotions of delivering the keynote address, the officers and families who have shaped his career, the impact of line-of-duty deaths on those left behind, and the importance of organizations like the St. Louis Police Foundation and BackStoppers that continue to support officers and their families.Before our main interview, the boys discuss the Missouri Special Olympics Torch Run, recent efforts to combat dangerous street takeovers, the debate surrounding the department's new drone program, downtown St. Louis revitalization efforts, a little "This Day in History," and, as always, a few laughs along the way.Following our conversation with Chief Spiess and Laurie Erson, we present Chief Spiess' powerful keynote speech from the 40th Annual St. Louis Police Memorial Breakfast in its entirety.It's an honest conversation about sacrifice, resilience, brotherhood, service, and the enduring legacy of those who gave everything in the line of duty.We hope you'll join us for this special episode as we remember the fallen, honor their families, and reflect on the bonds that make the law enforcement community unlike any other. 💙#TheBrighterSideOfBlue #TBSOB #SLPOA #StLouisPolice #PoliceMemorial #NeverForget #BackTheBlue #ThinBlueLine #LawEnforcement #PoliceBrotherhood #SupportThePolice #FirstResponders