Quad City Blue Flight

Quad City Blue Flight

Quad City Blue Flight is a local 501(c)(3) nonprofit with a mission to honor those who have served while inspiring the current generation of law enforcement officers. On September 9th 2026, we will take the nation's first Blue Flight, which will bring active law enforcement officers, retired officers, and the families of officers killed in the line of duty from Scott and Rock Island counties together on a chartered flight to Washington, D.C. During the trip, participants will visit the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, the National Law Enforcement Museum, the Police Memorial Wall, the US Capitol, and other historic and law enforcement-related sites. It's an opportunity to reflect on the profession, build relationships, and recognize the incredible service of the men and women who have dedicated their lives to protecting our communities. But this organization is about much more than one trip. We want to elevate positive stories of law enforcement, strengthen connections between officers and the communities they serve, and inspire future generations to consider a career in public safety. Right now, any active or retired law enforcement officer from Scott or Rock Island County are eligible to participate. We believe that when we recognize service, we strengthen our communities and help protect the future of our profession, which is vital to public safety.

Joe Leonas

Joe Leonas is the Chief of Police for Lincolnshire, Illinois. Chief Leonas has been the Lincolnshire Police Chief for 10 years, but began his law enforcement career in 1990 with the Village of Bartlett, Illinois. Over the course of his 26-year career, he held various positions including: Detective, Crime Prevention Officer, School Resource Officer, Sergeant, Investigations Commander, and Deputy Chief. Leonas also served as the Case Management Commander on the Major Case Assistance Team (MCAT) – a homicide task force comprised of over 22 police agencies in Cook County – and was responsible for the development of MCAT’s Serious Traffic Accident Reconstruction (STAR) Team. Leonas graduated from DePaul University with a bachelor’s degree in English and received his master's degree from Western Illinois University in Law Enforcement and Justice Administration. Leonas also graduated from Northwestern University's Center for Public Safety School of Police Staff & Command, as well as the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia. Leonas has instructed police officers since 1998 in many areas, including: homicide investigations, juvenile justice, police applicant backgrounds, leadership & management, and internal affairs. In addition to teaching for the Northwestern University Center for Public Safety, Leonas is an adjunct professor at DePaul University in Chicago. Leonas also taught at the Suburban Law Enforcement Academy (SLEA), Northeast Multi-Regional Training (NEMRT), Aurora University, and the College of DuPage. Leonas currently serves as the President on the Executive Board of the Lake County Chiefs of Police Association, Secretary on the Advisory Board of Directors for North East Multi-Regional Training (NEMRT), and Vice President on the Board of Directors for the Lake County Major Crash Assistance Team (MCAT).  Chief Leonas was the President of the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police from April 2025 – May 2026.

Quad City Airport Public Safety Director and Public Information Officer

The often unseen side of Quad City law enforcement, the Quad City International Airport Public Safety Director Jeff Swan and Public Information Officer Ashleigh Johnston join us to talk about all things airport and how important it is to have an airport in our metro area.

Retired Chief Steven Casstevens

Over the past 50 years, Steve Casstevens has served his country, has served small-town and suburban Illinois policing, and held statewide executive leadership positions as the past President of the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police, and past President of the International International Association of Chiefs of Police. Steve began in military police with the U.S. Army’s 101st Airborne Division in 1976, worked for the Mendota and Peru police departments after leaving the Army in 1979, joined Hoffman Estates in 1981 and retired there in 2011 as assistant chief, then served about two and a half years as chief in Cary before becoming chief in Buffalo Grove where he served until 2022. He served as ILACP president in 2016-2017 and IACP president in 2019-2020. Steve holds a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice Management from Judson University, served as an adjunct instructor for Northwestern University Center for Public Safety, and authored articles for Police Chief Magazine, Command Magazine, and Law and Order. Throughout his career he has been focused on global roadway safety, police response to active threats, and officer suicide prevention.

Chief Patrick Flannelly from The Coptimizer Podcast

Chronic stress, poor sleep, hypertension, obesity and elevated cardiovascular risk all lead to the #1 health epidemic facing law enforcement officers in America today, cardiovascular death.  On this podcast we are joined by Chief Patrick Flannelly from the Coptimizer Podcast and Sagahealth talking about unique testing they are doing to help early detection of cardiovascular risks and to help eliminate those risks.  Chief Gault takes the blood tests and reveals his results on air.