Detective Story: True Crime Insights with Mike Hammond and Chris Kafcas

Mike Hammond

Mike Hammond, a retired Chicago Police Homicide Detective, leads this True Crime podcast that discusses cold cases, missing persons, and law enforcement insights.

  1. Jun 23

    Detective Story – Episode 27: An Interview with Former Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson

    Send us Fan Mail Former Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson rarely sits for interviews. We got him for a candid, hour-plus conversation — and it's the most open he's been since leaving CPD. Mike Hammond worked under Eddie back when he was a Sergeant in Area 4 Homicide, and that history shows: this is two coppers talking straight, not a press-conference Q&A. Topics include: — How Rahm Emanuel personally recruited him for the job (Eddie never applied) — Growing up in Cabrini Green — Why he became a Chicago police officer — Community policing and the three constituencies a Superintendent serves — His views on the SAFE-T Act and recent line-of-duty murders of police officers — The work behind 31 years on the job 🌐 detectivestory.net 🎙️ Patreon: www.patreon.com/DetectiveStorywithMikeHammond ☕ Coffee partner: Gun Barrel Coffee — use code DETECTIVE10 for 10% off at gunbarrelcoffee.com Recorded at The Content Club, Chicago, Illinois Content and Creator: Mike Hammond Support the show The Engine that Makes Detective Story Run: Featuring co-host Chris Kafcas. Patreon Link for Insider Conversations and Direct contact with us: https://patreon.com/DetectiveStorywithMikeHammond Big thank you to our Patrons who keep us rolling: Jenn and Drew Hammond Colonel Samuel E. Manto Core Natural Gas Services, Midland/Odessa, Texas Strategic Partners: Gun Barrel Coffee Blue Knight Security Solutions Co-Host: Chris Kafcas Video and Audio Editing:  Micah Mabey Original Musical Score: Jared May Original Studio Artwork: Drew DeMaria Season 3 Score: "Dead and Gone Blues" by Peter Crosby (Epidemic Sound) Original Show Artwork and Logos: Eric Rovegno https://www.thenorthcreative.com/ Los Angeles, California (Do yourself a favor and check out his work on his website) Security and Investigative assistance provided by: Blue Knight Security Solutions blueknightsecuritysolutions.com 773-706-4920 Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok: @detectivestorymikehammond Email Detective Hammond at: mike@detectivestory.net

    1h 15m
  2. Episode 26-The Grimes Sisters: Chicago's Infamous Cold Case And A Suspect Who Can Still Be Held Accountable

    May 21

    Episode 26-The Grimes Sisters: Chicago's Infamous Cold Case And A Suspect Who Can Still Be Held Accountable

    Send us Fan Mail In 1956, Barbara and Patricia Grimes vanished after seeing an Elvis Presley film in Chicago. Their disappearance generated so much national attention that Elvis Presley himself recorded a personal radio message urging the girls to come home. Their bodies were found weeks later in unincorporated Cook County. Nearly 70 years later the case remains unsolved — but may not be unsolvable. In this episode of Detective Story, retired CPD Homicide Detective Mike Hammond and co-host Chris Kafcas sit down with documentarian and researcher Michael Weber, who has spent years investigating the Grimes Sisters case. Weber has identified a living individual — now in his 80s — who she believes had direct contact with the sisters and has never been formally interviewed by investigators. Mike Hammond brings his own firsthand knowledge to this conversation, having worked the Grimes Sisters case as part of CPD's Cold Case Homicide Unit with his then partner Jim Hennigan.  Together, Hammond, Kafcas, and Weber lay out the evidence, the witnesses, unanswered questions in the investigation, and the question that the Grimes family — including a surviving sister — still deserves an answer to after nearly seven decades. Justice has no expiration date. Support the show The Engine that Makes Detective Story Run: Featuring co-host Chris Kafcas. Patreon Link for Insider Conversations and Direct contact with us: https://patreon.com/DetectiveStorywithMikeHammond Big thank you to our Patrons who keep us rolling: Jenn and Drew Hammond Colonel Samuel E. Manto Core Natural Gas Services, Midland/Odessa, Texas Strategic Partners: Gun Barrel Coffee Blue Knight Security Solutions Co-Host: Chris Kafcas Video and Audio Editing:  Micah Mabey Original Musical Score: Jared May Original Studio Artwork: Drew DeMaria Season 3 Score: "Dead and Gone Blues" by Peter Crosby (Epidemic Sound) Original Show Artwork and Logos: Eric Rovegno https://www.thenorthcreative.com/ Los Angeles, California (Do yourself a favor and check out his work on his website) Security and Investigative assistance provided by: Blue Knight Security Solutions blueknightsecuritysolutions.com 773-706-4920 Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok: @detectivestorymikehammond Email Detective Hammond at: mike@detectivestory.net

    1h 12m
  3. A Warrior's Path: A Tribute to Rick Coyle and John Bartholomew

    May 15

    A Warrior's Path: A Tribute to Rick Coyle and John Bartholomew

    Send us Fan Mail In this special audio edition, I reflect on the recent losses of two dedicated officers: Deputy Rick Coyle of the Crittenden County Sheriff’s Department (retired CPD) and Officer John Bartholomew of the Chicago Police Department. I served with Rick on the Chicago Police Department years ago.  After he retired Rick moved to Kentucky and eventually joined the Crittenden County Sheriff's Department to serve that community.   On Friday May 8, 2026,  I traveled to Kentucky to attend his memorial.  At the same time back in Chicago services were being held for Officer John Bartholomew who had also been killed in the line of duty.  This episode discusses the powerful impact both men had on their communities and my thoughts on the differences and similarities of the big-city and small-town loss, and the "instinctual awareness" that defines the best in this profession. This is a tribute to the reality of the sacrifice, the pride of the uniform, and the weight carried long after the stars are put away. Rest easy, Rick and John. Support the show The Engine that Makes Detective Story Run: Featuring co-host Chris Kafcas. Patreon Link for Insider Conversations and Direct contact with us: https://patreon.com/DetectiveStorywithMikeHammond Big thank you to our Patrons who keep us rolling: Jenn and Drew Hammond Colonel Samuel E. Manto Core Natural Gas Services, Midland/Odessa, Texas Strategic Partners: Gun Barrel Coffee Blue Knight Security Solutions Co-Host: Chris Kafcas Video and Audio Editing:  Micah Mabey Original Musical Score: Jared May Original Studio Artwork: Drew DeMaria Season 3 Score: "Dead and Gone Blues" by Peter Crosby (Epidemic Sound) Original Show Artwork and Logos: Eric Rovegno https://www.thenorthcreative.com/ Los Angeles, California (Do yourself a favor and check out his work on his website) Security and Investigative assistance provided by: Blue Knight Security Solutions blueknightsecuritysolutions.com 773-706-4920 Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok: @detectivestorymikehammond Email Detective Hammond at: mike@detectivestory.net

    23 min
  4. Episode 25- Former Chief of Detectives Melissa Staples

    May 5

    Episode 25- Former Chief of Detectives Melissa Staples

    Send us Fan Mail This Episode is dedicated to Rick Coyle, John Bartholomew and Nelson Crespo.  Show us the way home, warriors.  In This Episode #25: Melissa Staples rose through the ranks to become only the second female Chief of Detectives for the second-largest police department in the country.  We sit down to discuss the immense responsibility of that position, the realities of leadership, and the unvarnished truth about policy and Chicago's streets. Nobody articulates the stance of a detective and a leader better than Melissa. Note: The interview portion of this episode was recorded on April 1, 2026. The cold open addresses the tragic loss of our brothers since that date. Support the Show & Access Unedited Interviews: Join the Patreon to support the preservation of Chicago's institutional memory and get full, unedited access to these legacy interviews. Patreon: patreon.com/DetectiveStorywithMikeHammond Website: www.detectivestory.net Deputy Rick Coyle (Crittenden County Sheriff's Dept. / Retired CPD) In lieu of flowers, the Coyle family requests donations be made to: Supporting Heroes:  www.SupportingHeroes.org Chicago Police Memorial Foundation:  www.CPDmemorial.org Officer John Bartholomew (Chicago Police Department) In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the John Bartholomew Memorial Fund, handled by the credit union: John Bartholomew Memorial Fund c/o Police Federal Credit Union 1407 West Washington Blvd. Chicago, IL 60607 Please continue to keep Officer Nelson Crespo, his family, and his brothers and sisters in the department in your prayers as he fights for his recovery. Support the show The Engine that Makes Detective Story Run: Featuring co-host Chris Kafcas. Patreon Link for Insider Conversations and Direct contact with us: https://patreon.com/DetectiveStorywithMikeHammond Big thank you to our Patrons who keep us rolling: Jenn and Drew Hammond Colonel Samuel E. Manto Core Natural Gas Services, Midland/Odessa, Texas Strategic Partners: Gun Barrel Coffee Blue Knight Security Solutions Co-Host: Chris Kafcas Video and Audio Editing:  Micah Mabey Original Musical Score: Jared May Original Studio Artwork: Drew DeMaria Season 3 Score: "Dead and Gone Blues" by Peter Crosby (Epidemic Sound) Original Show Artwork and Logos: Eric Rovegno https://www.thenorthcreative.com/ Los Angeles, California (Do yourself a favor and check out his work on his website) Security and Investigative assistance provided by: Blue Knight Security Solutions blueknightsecuritysolutions.com 773-706-4920 Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok: @detectivestorymikehammond Email Detective Hammond at: mike@detectivestory.net

    1h 34m
  5. Episode 24- Michele Wood "Model Detective" & Marco Garcia , Lead Hostage Negotiator: Chicago PD's Power Couple

    Mar 24

    Episode 24- Michele Wood "Model Detective" & Marco Garcia , Lead Hostage Negotiator: Chicago PD's Power Couple

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we sit down with Chicago PD's power couple: Homicide Sergeant Michele Wood and her husband, Lead Hostage Negotiator Marco Garcia to discuss her new book and the art of crisis negotiation.  We discuss Michele’s upcoming book release "Model Detective"  and the high-stakes world of hostage negotiation and de-escalation techniques 📘 ORDER "MODEL DETECTIVE" HERE: https://a.co/d/0gGAI1Ok Visit and join our Patreon page for cool extra content at: https://patreon.com/DetectiveStorywithMikeHammond Support the show The Engine that Makes Detective Story Run: Featuring co-host Chris Kafcas. Patreon Link for Insider Conversations and Direct contact with us: https://patreon.com/DetectiveStorywithMikeHammond Big thank you to our Patrons who keep us rolling: Jenn and Drew Hammond Colonel Samuel E. Manto Core Natural Gas Services, Midland/Odessa, Texas Strategic Partners: Gun Barrel Coffee Blue Knight Security Solutions Co-Host: Chris Kafcas Video and Audio Editing:  Micah Mabey Original Musical Score: Jared May Original Studio Artwork: Drew DeMaria Season 3 Score: "Dead and Gone Blues" by Peter Crosby (Epidemic Sound) Original Show Artwork and Logos: Eric Rovegno https://www.thenorthcreative.com/ Los Angeles, California (Do yourself a favor and check out his work on his website) Security and Investigative assistance provided by: Blue Knight Security Solutions blueknightsecuritysolutions.com 773-706-4920 Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok: @detectivestorymikehammond Email Detective Hammond at: mike@detectivestory.net

    1h 12m

  6. Feb 23

    Season 3 Begins! Episode 23 - The Murder of 6-Year-Old Allen Kalfus

    Send us Fan Mail Season 3 begins with the case that started it all. In February 2001, my partner Sam Manto and I worked our first murder as lead detectives: 6-year-old Allen Kalfus, tortured to death by his foster mother, Flora Stewart. Sam and I sit down 25 years later to revisit this case. What we remember. What surprised us. And what still haunts us. This is the story of Allen Kalfus. Visit us for direct contact, updates and news at our website: www.detectivestory.net Support the show The Engine that Makes Detective Story Run: Featuring co-host Chris Kafcas. Patreon Link for Insider Conversations and Direct contact with us: https://patreon.com/DetectiveStorywithMikeHammond Big thank you to our Patrons who keep us rolling: Jenn and Drew Hammond Colonel Samuel E. Manto Core Natural Gas Services, Midland/Odessa, Texas Strategic Partners: Gun Barrel Coffee Blue Knight Security Solutions Co-Host: Chris Kafcas Video and Audio Editing:  Micah Mabey Original Musical Score: Jared May Original Studio Artwork: Drew DeMaria Season 3 Score: "Dead and Gone Blues" by Peter Crosby (Epidemic Sound) Original Show Artwork and Logos: Eric Rovegno https://www.thenorthcreative.com/ Los Angeles, California (Do yourself a favor and check out his work on his website) Security and Investigative assistance provided by: Blue Knight Security Solutions blueknightsecuritysolutions.com 773-706-4920 Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok: @detectivestorymikehammond Email Detective Hammond at: mike@detectivestory.net

    1 hr

  7. Trailer

    2026 Season Update: We're Back.

    Send us Fan Mail https://www.patreon.com/DetectiveStorywithmikehammond Support the show The Engine that Makes Detective Story Run: Featuring co-host Chris Kafcas. Patreon Link for Insider Conversations and Direct contact with us: https://patreon.com/DetectiveStorywithMikeHammond Big thank you to our Patrons who keep us rolling: Jenn and Drew Hammond Colonel Samuel E. Manto Core Natural Gas Services, Midland/Odessa, Texas Strategic Partners: Gun Barrel Coffee Blue Knight Security Solutions Co-Host: Chris Kafcas Video and Audio Editing:  Micah Mabey Original Musical Score: Jared May Original Studio Artwork: Drew DeMaria Season 3 Score: "Dead and Gone Blues" by Peter Crosby (Epidemic Sound) Original Show Artwork and Logos: Eric Rovegno https://www.thenorthcreative.com/ Los Angeles, California (Do yourself a favor and check out his work on his website) Security and Investigative assistance provided by: Blue Knight Security Solutions blueknightsecuritysolutions.com 773-706-4920 Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok: @detectivestorymikehammond Email Detective Hammond at: mike@detectivestory.net

    2 min

  8. 08/12/2025

    Episode 22- Interview with Chicago Police Narcotics Detective Josh Weitzman

    Send us Fan Mail On Episode 22 of Detective Story we have the distinct honor to host former Chicago Police Narcotics Detective Josh Weitzman. Josh, a long time friend and colleague of Mike Hammond, has a very interesting personal and professional story.   He started his police career with the Kansas City Police Department but eventually returned to his native Chicago and the Chicago Police Department.  During a decorated career Josh became a narcotics investigation expert and tactical specialist.  His personal story equally fascinating, from his parents to his close relationship with musical legends Morris "Magic Slim" Holt and Art Neville.  Josh is never one to shy from speaking openly and frankly doesn't disappoint with Detective Story. Thank you for listening please leave us a comment and go to our website, and leave us your thoughts, opinions or questions   Please visit our website @ www.detectivestory.net For insights bio's and to connect with us directly! We love the feedback! Support the show The Engine that Makes Detective Story Run: Featuring co-host Chris Kafcas. Patreon Link for Insider Conversations and Direct contact with us: https://patreon.com/DetectiveStorywithMikeHammond Big thank you to our Patrons who keep us rolling: Jenn and Drew Hammond Colonel Samuel E. Manto Core Natural Gas Services, Midland/Odessa, Texas Strategic Partners: Gun Barrel Coffee Blue Knight Security Solutions Co-Host: Chris Kafcas Video and Audio Editing:  Micah Mabey Original Musical Score: Jared May Original Studio Artwork: Drew DeMaria Season 3 Score: "Dead and Gone Blues" by Peter Crosby (Epidemic Sound) Original Show Artwork and Logos: Eric Rovegno https://www.thenorthcreative.com/ Los Angeles, California (Do yourself a favor and check out his work on his website) Security and Investigative assistance provided by: Blue Knight Security Solutions blueknightsecuritysolutions.com 773-706-4920 Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok: @detectivestorymikehammond Email Detective Hammond at: mike@detectivestory.net

    1h 25m
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4.9
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46 Ratings

About

Mike Hammond, a retired Chicago Police Homicide Detective, leads this True Crime podcast that discusses cold cases, missing persons, and law enforcement insights.

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