LEO Round Table, May 22, 2026

LEO Round Table, May 27, 2026

S11E103, Memorial Day 2026 Honors Our Fallen Soldiers Who Died In Service To The USA Memorial Day 2026 honors our fallen soldiers who died in service to the USA. Shooter fatally shot by Secret Service at White House checkpoint. Video shows moment driver rams SUV into ICE agent's truck. Tulsi Gabbard resigns after husband's cancer diagnosis. Suspect fatally shot after pointing gun at officers. Officer convicted of attempted murder. Suspect and officers engage in deadly shootout at a Sam's Club. # Six-Paragraph Summary ## Honoring Sacrifice on Memorial Day Chip DeBlock opens the program with Lieutenant Randy Sutton by focusing on Memorial Day and the distinction between Memorial Day and Veterans Day. Chip explains that Memorial Day remembers U.S. service members who died while serving, while Veterans Day honors all veterans. Both speakers emphasize that the freedoms allowing them to conduct a candid law enforcement program are tied to the sacrifices of military service members. ## Reflections from National Police Week Randy recounts attending National Police Week with The Wounded Blue, describing a large candlelight vigil that was shortened because of threatening weather and then drenched by a sudden downpour. He explains that his team helped provide peer support to families of fallen officers as they visited Washington to see loved ones memorialized on the wall. Chip and Randy both urge law enforcement officers, including retirees, to experience Police Week at least once. ## White House Checkpoint Shooting and Security Discussion The show turns to a reported shooting at a White House security checkpoint, where Chip says a man fired on Secret Service officers, was struck by return fire, and later died, while a bystander was also wounded. Randy discusses the danger of attacks on protective personnel and argues that criminals can obtain firearms regardless of gun restrictions. The two also discuss whether uniformed Secret Service personnel visibly carry long guns and the public perception created by heavily armed officers on city streets. ## ICE Agent Vehicle-Ramming Video and Tulsi Gabbard Report Chip describes video of an SUV reportedly ramming and pushing a pickup truck occupied by an ICE agent during a federal operation in Chicago, with prosecutors treating the vehicle as a deadly or dangerous weapon for sentencing purposes. Randy expresses concern about violence directed at ICE officers and the effect of political threats of future prosecution on officers’ decisions to use force. Later, Chip and Randy discuss a report that Tulsi Gabbard would resign as Director of National Intelligence following her husband’s cancer diagnosis, offering sympathy and respect for her family decision. ## LAPD Pursuit and Bowie Officer Conviction The program reviews LAPD video of a suspect in a BMW who allegedly fled officers, collided head-on with police vehicles, exited the car, drew a handgun, and was fatally shot by officers. Randy questions why a person would make a decision that makes survival unlikely. The hosts then discuss a Bowie, Maryland, officer reportedly convicted of attempted second-degree murder and other charges after firing at—but not striking—a man during a roadside encounter; both speakers question the criminal prosecution based on the account presented in the show. ## Houston Sam’s Club Shootout and Closing Appeal In the final incident discussion, Chip describes Houston police body-camera footage of officers confronting an armed suspect dressed in a security uniform inside a Sam’s Club office area. Randy analyzes the tactical risk of officers issuing verbal challenges while searching a large building for an active shooter. The program closes with appreciation for military and law enforcement service and Randy’s invitation for officers and spouses to attend the National Law Enforcement Survival Summit in Las Vegas. # SEO Keywords / Key Phrases 1. LEO Roundtable Memorial Day episode 2. Chip DeBlock and Randy Sutton 3. National Police Week candlelight vigil 4. The Wounded Blue peer support 5. Memorial Day versus Veterans Day 6. White House Secret Service checkpoint shooting 7. ICE agent SUV attack Chicago 8. Tulsi Gabbard resignation discussion 9. LAPD officer-involved shooting video 10. Bowie police officer attempted murder conviction 11. Houston Sam’s Club police shootout 12. National Law Enforcement Survival Summit

LEO Round Table, May 26, 2026

LEO Round Table with Chip DeBlock S11E102, Woman Opens Fire On Officers Before Being Fatally Shot On Video Officer charged with manslaughter for shooting carjacker. Woman opens fire on officers before being fatally shot on video. Ex-DOJ prosecutor found with secret Trump reports disguised as cake recipes. Man killed after being hit by off-duty officer. Former cop who was jailed for Charlie Kirk meme awarded $850K. Woman Opens Fire on Richmond Officers Before Being Fatally Shot; Boston Officer Charged in Carjacking-Suspect Shooting A Program Built Around a Law-Enforcement Viewpoint LEO Round Table host Chip DeBlock welcomes former Green Beret and Delta Force operative Scott for a discussion of police-involved incidents, public-safety video, legal developments, and free-speech concerns. After acknowledging sponsors and the program's distribution across radio, television, podcast, and social-media outlets, Chip previews an episode without one dominant feature story, instead focusing on several developing incidents that invite law-enforcement-oriented commentary. Manslaughter Charge After a Carjacking-Suspect Shooting The first extended discussion concerns a Boston officer charged with manslaughter after shooting a suspected carjacker who had allegedly dragged a woman from a running vehicle and attempted to flee. Chip emphasizes that authorities claim video contradicts the officer's defense-of-self or defense-of-another account while declining to release the footage. Scott argues that the suspect's conduct created the dangerous circumstances, while Chip questions whether investigators can fairly charge the officer while withholding video that may establish vehicle movement, officer positioning, and the perceived threat. Richmond Gunfire Captured on Body Camera The program then turns to Richmond Police Department footage involving a woman reportedly firing shots at an apartment complex before she was fatally shot by an officer. Chip recounts reports that Jasmine Wood-Mitchell had recently suffered a personal loss and that callers reported gunfire before officers arrived. The hosts describe footage in which an officer moving up a stairwell is exposed to incoming shots and quickly returns fire; Scott stresses how fortunate the officer was to avoid being hit and praises his immediate response to a lethal threat. Restricted Records Allegedly Disguised as Recipe Files A third story involves allegations that a former federal prosecutor sent restricted material related to Special Counsel Jack Smith's investigation of Donald Trump to personal email accounts after renaming files as cake recipes. Chip describes the charges and the alleged effort to disguise the records, while Scott focuses on motive, wondering whether investigators will uncover communications or evidence showing why the documents were taken and whether copies were shared elsewhere. A Fatal Thruway Collision and the Danger of Stopping in a Merge Lane Chip and Scott also discuss dash-camera footage of a fatal collision involving an off-duty NYPD officer driving on a dark Thruway entrance ramp. According to the discussion, a car was stopped in an acceleration lane, and a man attempting to cross toward the shoulder was struck as the officer maneuvered around the stopped vehicle. Both speakers characterize the death as tragic while warning that drivers and pedestrians face extraordinary risk when a vehicle is stopped in a highway merge lane, particularly before dawn. Free Speech, Poor Taste, and a Costly Jail Detention The final segment addresses a Tennessee retired officer who reportedly spent 37 days in jail after refusing to remove a Facebook meme mocking Charlie Kirk's death and later received an $850,000 settlement. Both Chip and Scott condemn the post as offensive while maintaining that offensive speech does not justify incarceration absent a legitimate threat. The episode closes with their view that authorities crossed a constitutional line by treating an objectionable social-media post as grounds for detention, followed by sponsor acknowledgments and the program sign-off.

LEO Round Table, May 25, 2026

LEO Round Table with Chip DeBlock S11E101 Judge Rules Initial Search Of Assassin’s Backpack As Unconstitutional - LEO Round Table Judge rules initial search of assassin’s backpack as unconstitutional. Officers on duty for J6 riot sue government officials over $1.6B fund. Drone video shows police BearCat running over armed man who killed cop. Backpack Evidence, January 6 Litigation, and a BearCat’s Deadly End to an Armed Standoff Chip DeBlock Introduces the Law Enforcement Roundtable In this episode of LEO Roundtable, host Chip DeBlock introduces a law-enforcement-focused discussion with attorney Anthony Bandiero of Blue to Gold and retired Tulsa Police Department major Dr. Travis Yates. After acknowledging the program’s sponsors and distribution outlets, Chip previews several law enforcement and legal stories, including evidence issues in the case involving the accused killer of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, a lawsuit connected with January 6 officers and an anti-weaponization fund, and video of an armored BearCat vehicle striking an armed suspect who had allegedly killed a sheriff’s detective. Backpack Evidence in the UnitedHealthcare CEO Murder Case The first major discussion concerns a New York state-court ruling involving evidence seized from the backpack of the suspect in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Chip explains that the suspect was arrested at a McDonald’s in Pennsylvania and that a New York judge ruled the initial search of the backpack unconstitutional because the bag had been moved away from the suspect before it was searched. However, a later inventory search conducted at the police station was ruled lawful, allowing the suspected murder weapon to remain available for the state prosecution. Chip also notes that the separate federal case reached a different result, allowing additional backpack evidence to be used. Anthony Bandiero Explains Search, Inventory, and Officer-Safety Issues Anthony Bandiero provides the legal analysis, explaining the distinctions between a search incident to arrest, an inventory search, and a protective sweep for weapons. He says New York applies stricter requirements than many other jurisdictions, particularly regarding whether an item remains within a suspect’s immediate reach and whether urgent circumstances exist. Anthony criticizes the argument that officers searched the bag because it might contain a bomb, saying the officers’ conduct did not appear consistent with an actual bomb threat response. At the same time, he says officers had an objective officer-safety basis to believe the backpack could contain a firearm, given that they were arresting a suspected shooter. Lessons for Officers Handling High-Profile Arrest Evidence Chip and Anthony use the ruling as a training discussion for officers and agencies. Anthony says that in an ordinary case, officers could conduct a legitimate inventory search on scene or perform a carefully documented protective sweep based on objective safety concerns. In a nationally prominent murder case, however, he says the cleanest approach may have been to secure the backpack, seek a telephonic search warrant, and then open it only after obtaining judicial authorization. Chip adds that seeking consent could also provide an extra layer of protection, even if investigators intended to obtain a warrant. Their larger message is that officers need clear legal training because evidence decisions made during an arrest can later determine what survives in court. January 6 Officers Challenge an Anti-Weaponization Fund The panel next discusses a lawsuit filed by two officers who served during the January 6, 2021, Capitol unrest. Chip says the officers are seeking to stop payments from a $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund established by President Trump’s administration for people it believes were unfairly treated by the Biden Justice Department. He notes that one of the plaintiffs is a current Metropolitan Police Department officer and the other is a former Capitol Police officer who is now running in a Democratic congressional primary. Travis responds critically, arguing that the fund is intended for people he believes were improperly targeted by federal authorities and expressing frustration with what he considers misleading narratives surrounding January 6. BearCat Vehicle Ends Standoff with Armed Suspect In the final extensively discussed incident, the panel reviews drone and body-camera footage involving a Kern County Sheriff’s Office BearCat armored vehicle. Chip says the suspect, David Eric Morales, had allegedly shot and killed Tulare County Sheriff’s Detective Randy Harbert during an attempted eviction-related encounter and later fired additional rounds at the BearCat during a standoff. The footage reportedly shows the armored vehicle driving over Morales, killing him. Chip reports that the use of force was determined to be justified, while Anthony and Travis express support for the action based on the suspect’s lethal conduct and ongoing threat. The episode closes with acknowledgments of the panelists, sponsors, training resources, and the program’s law-enforcement audience.

LEO Round Table, May 22, 2026

LEO Round Table with Chip DeBlock S11E100, New Details Emerge Of The San Diego Mosque Shooting That Left Three Dead New details emerge of the San Diego Mosque shooting that left three dead. Officer charged in the fatal shooting of a suspect who approached him with a knife. New Details Emerge in Deadly San Diego Mosque Shooting; Officers Debate Knife-Threat Shooting Charge SAN DIEGO SHOOTING DISCUSSED The host opens the episode by introducing Chief Ralph and outlining several law-enforcement stories planned for discussion. The principal first topic is the deadly attack at the Islamic Center of San Diego, where the host says two teenage suspects killed three men before apparently dying by suicide. The program treats the attack as a developing investigation, discussing reported extremist material, possible hate-crime motivation, and investigators’ efforts to determine how the suspects acquired weapons and tactical gear. SECURITY GUARD REMEMBERED AS A HERO A central focus of the San Diego discussion is an armed security guard identified in the transcript as Abdullah. The host and Chief Ralph describe him as a hero who engaged the attackers, continued responding after being struck, and initiated a lockdown that protected people inside the mosque, including many children. They also mention a fundraiser for his surviving family and emphasize their belief that his actions kept the attack from becoming even more devastating. TRAINING, PREPAREDNESS, AND FAMILY ACCOUNTABILITY The host and Chief Ralph reflect on officer-survival training and the lesson that a person who has been wounded may still be able to fight back and protect others. Chief Ralph raises questions about whether the suspects had surveilled the mosque and whether parents should be held accountable when minors gain access to firearms. Both speakers present the attack as a reminder that houses of worship must be alert to security threats and prepared to respond. CONNECTICUT OFFICER FACES MANSLAUGHTER CHARGE The second major subject concerns a former Hartford, Connecticut, police officer charged with first-degree manslaughter after fatally shooting Steven Jones, who the speakers describe as advancing with a knife. The host reviews reported criticisms of the officer, including that other officers had been on scene longer without firing, that less-lethal options were not used, and that the officer allegedly failed to adequately de-escalate the encounter before using deadly force. DEBATE OVER COMMAND, DE-ESCALATION, AND DEADLY FORCE Chief Ralph criticizes the handling of the Connecticut incident before the shooting, saying he saw too many officers issuing commands, inadequate containment, ineffective scene control, and missed opportunities for alternative tactics. The host agrees that the earlier response lacked command presence but argues that an officer facing an advancing knife-armed subject should not be required to repeat failed de-escalation efforts or retreat in a way that increases his vulnerability. Their disagreement illustrates differing law-enforcement philosophies concerning lethal threats and de-escalation standards. POLICY, POLITICS, AND OFFICER DECISION-MAKING The speakers broaden the discussion to California use-of-force review standards and what Chief Ralph characterizes as political influence on officer-involved-shooting decisions. Both say agencies should use incidents like the Hartford shooting for training, especially concerning command presence, less-lethal resources, crossfire risks, and containment. The show closes with sponsor acknowledgments and a promise to continue following developments in the Connecticut officer’s case.

LEO Round Table, May 21, 2026

LEO Round Table with Chip DeBlock S11E099, Teenager Lucky To Be Alive After Being Caught During ‘Water Wars’ Game White house moves for end of cashless bail and threats against officers. Sheriff calls for calm in Key West as leaked intel warns of Cuban drone plots. FBI puts $200K bounty on defector who fled to Iran. Sergeant and Sheriff stabbed during attempted arrest. Cop stabbed multiple times in ambush attack by suspect. FBI Report Shows Lower Line-of-Duty Deaths but Rising Assaults The episode opens with a discussion of the FBI’s 2025 report on officers killed and assaulted in the line of duty. Chip DeBlock explains that the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting Program released preliminary counts showing 53 officers feloniously killed in 2025, which was fewer than the previous two years. However, the report also showed an increase in assaults against officers, with over 90,000 reported assaults and a rate of 13.8 assaults per 100 officers. Ken Appianco says the increase in assaults is the most troubling part of the report, especially because he has observed similar concerns in active law enforcement. Local Officer’s Role in Butler Rally Shooting Reconsidered The show then discusses a report about Sergeant Aaron Zaloponi, a local Pennsylvania law enforcement officer honored by the NRA. According to the transcript, Zaloponi served in a local counter-assault role during the Butler rally involving President Donald Trump. Chip describes the sequence of shots and says Zaloponi fired one shot at the suspect before the Secret Service counter-sniper fired the final shot. Both Chip and Ken say they had not previously heard this version of the account, and Ken praises the officer’s reported response as outstanding, while noting that the article presents a different understanding than the one many people may have had. Water Wars Incident Nearly Ends in Deadly Force A major portion of the episode focuses on a Davison Township, Michigan bodycam video involving a teenager playing Water Wars with a squirt gun. The officer was responding to a 911 call involving possible suspicious activity or a burglary, and the teenager jumped out near the officer and sprayed him with water from what appeared in the moment to be a weapon. Chip and Ken both emphasize how quickly the incident unfolded and say the officer would likely have been legally justified if he had fired. They also highlight the emotional burden the officer could have faced if the encounter had ended in the teenager’s death. Bodycam Footage and Training Lessons The speakers use the Water Wars incident to discuss police training, body cameras, and the limits of scenario-based instruction. Ken says most officers would likely have fired in the same circumstances, given the nighttime setting, the 911 burglary call, and the sudden movement with an object in hand. Chip raises whether such a scenario could be fairly used in training, and Ken says it would not be a fair training scenario because an officer facing a real gun in that moment could be killed. They also agree that the bodycam footage is important because it shows the full context of the officer’s split-second decision. San Diego Pen Attack Leads to Officer-Involved Shooting The episode next covers a San Diego incident in which a woman allegedly attacked a man with a ballpoint pen and was shot by police. Chip describes the officer’s efforts to order her to drop what he believed might be a pick or weapon, while also trying to move bystanders out of the line of fire. The woman was reportedly hit at least twice but continued standing and moving, which Ken says is highly unusual compared with other shooting cases he has seen. The speakers consider the shooting justified based on the woman’s continued threat to the man she was chasing. Firearm Preemption and Virginia Gun Restrictions The final part of the episode turns to firearms law and political disputes in Florida and Virginia. Chip and Ken discuss Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier threatening personal consequences for officials after a local police department posted firearm restrictions for a public festival, with Ken explaining Florida’s firearm preemption rules. The discussion then moves to Virginia, where new restrictions on semi-automatic firearms are challenged by pro-Second Amendment groups and rejected by a local prosecutor who says he will not enforce them. Ken argues the Virginia restrictions are unlikely to survive legal scrutiny and frames them as politically motivated.