Trooper Talk

Illinois State Police Heritage Foundation
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Documentary
  • Updated Weekly

Welcome to Trooper Talk, the official podcast of the Illinois State Police Heritage Foundation. The mission of the Illinois State Police Heritage Foundation is to document and preserve the history of the Illinois State Police.

  1. 1d ago

    Trooper Talk Ep. 018 | A Father-Son Legacy in the Illinois State Police

    Two generations. One family. More than five decades of Illinois State Police service. In this episode of Trooper Talk, retired Illinois State Trooper Flynn Hanners sits down with father and son Bill Anderson and Brian Anderson, two men whose careers with the Illinois State Police share a remarkable connection. Both served as District Commanders in what became District 20, carrying the Anderson name through generations of law enforcement service in western Illinois. Bill Anderson joined the Illinois State Police in 1967 after serving four years in the United States Marine Corps, including service in Vietnam. He shares how an unexpected opportunity led him to apply for the State Police, what the selection and academy process looked like in the 1960s, and how the teamwork, discipline, and responsibility he learned in the Marine Corps prepared him for a career in law enforcement. Brian Anderson followed a different path. After serving in the United States Air Force, earning his degree, and beginning his law enforcement career with the Hamilton Police Department, he achieved his goal of becoming an Illinois State Trooper in 1997. Brian reflects on learning the profession, serving the communities of western Illinois, working his way through the ranks, and eventually becoming District Commander decades after his father held the same role. Together, Bill and Brian offer a unique look at how policing changed across generations. The conversation explores Illinois State Police academy training, traffic enforcement, crash response, officer safety, leadership, promotions, community relationships, and the dramatic changes in vehicles, seat belts, emergency medical response, and technology that transformed life on the road. Bill also recalls the realities troopers faced early in his career, when rural crash scenes often had no ambulance or paramedics available, as well as a frightening encounter with an impaired driver that demonstrated the importance of wearing a seat belt. Brian shares why he remained passionate about working the road throughout his career and why serving as a trooper never felt like just another job. At the heart of the episode is a story about family, service, integrity, and pride in the Illinois State Police. From Bill beginning his career in the late 1960s to Brian retiring more than 50 years later, an Anderson served as Illinois State Trooper in the district for decades. Trooper Talk is hosted by retired Illinois State Trooper Flynn Hanners and presented by the Illinois State Police Heritage Foundation, whose mission is to document and preserve the history of the Illinois State Police. Listen to hear Bill and Brian Anderson reflect on military service, policing, leadership, District 20, and a family legacy built around serving the people of Illinois. 00:00 – Flynn Hanners Introduces Bill & Brian Anderson 02:35 – Bill Anderson’s Path from the Marine Corps to the Illinois State Police 05:35 – Vietnam Service and the Lessons Bill Carried Into Law Enforcement 09:32 – Brian Anderson’s Military Service and the Road to Becoming a Trooper 14:02 – From College and Hamilton PD to the Illinois State Police 22:16 – Bill’s Advice on Integrity, Reputation, and Serving Your Community 29:14 – Father and Son as District Commanders of District 20 34:25 – Why Both Andersons Still Recommend a Career with the Illinois State Police 41:05 – How Trooper Life, Crash Response, and Officer Safety Have Changed 50:22 – Career Highlights, Retirement, and the Anderson Family Legacy

  2. Oct 5

    Trooper Talk Ep. 017 | From the Basketball Court to the ISP Uniform

    From professional basketball overseas to a career serving with the Illinois State Police, retired Master Sergeant John Paul Merrifield has a story unlike any other. In this episode of Trooper Talk, retired Illinois State Trooper Flynn Hanners sits down with John Paul to look back on the experiences, people, and opportunities that shaped his life both before and during his career with ISP. Before putting on the Illinois State Police uniform, John Paul played college basketball at Southeastern Community College and Missouri Southern before taking his game overseas to Portugal and Israel. He later traveled and played exhibition basketball with legendary Harlem Globetrotter Marcus Haynes and the Harlem Magicians, participating in charity events, fundraisers, and USO shows across the country. But becoming an Illinois State Trooper was always in the back of his mind. John Paul shares how a multi-year hiring freeze delayed that dream, what it was like finally joining ISP, and how his career eventually took him from patrol to the Illinois State Police Academy, recruiting, Equal Employment Opportunity, and the Honor Guard. The conversation also explores John Paul’s longtime involvement with the Team Illinois Youth Police Camp, a structured weeklong program for youth ages 13 to 16. He reflects on helping young people experience the values and discipline of law enforcement and seeing former campers eventually pursue careers with the Illinois State Police themselves. Along the way, Flynn and John Paul share stories about the mentors, instructors, troopers, and friends who made ISP feel like more than a workplace. They discuss the pride of wearing the uniform, the responsibility of helping prepare future troopers, and the bond that continues long after retirement. John Paul may have retired from the Illinois State Police in 2019, but his commitment to mentorship and service continues today, including as an assistant basketball coach at Greenville University. Listen to this episode of Trooper Talk for a conversation about basketball, service, mentorship, friendship, and a career John Paul says he would gladly do all over again. Trooper Talk is the podcast of the Illinois State Police Heritage Foundation, dedicated to documenting and preserving the history of the Illinois State Police. 00:00 – Meet Retired Master Sergeant John Paul Merrifield 03:48 – From Greenville to College Basketball 05:10 – Playing Professional Basketball Overseas 06:47 – Playing With Marcus Haynes and the Harlem Magicians 11:45 – Why John Paul Wanted to Become an Illinois State Trooper 15:43 – Beginning His Illinois State Police Career 16:58 – The Story Behind Team Illinois Youth Police Camp 21:47 – Mentoring Cadets at the Illinois State Police Academy 28:53 – Recruiting the Next Generation of Illinois State Troopers 43:10 – Honor Guard, ISP Family and What the Career Meant to Him

  3. Sep 28

    Trooper Talk Ep. 016 | Pat Kelly: Training, Mentorship & Supporting Illinois State Police

    Some of the most influential people in Illinois State Police history never wore the uniform. In this episode of Trooper Talk, retired Illinois State Trooper Flynn Hanners sits down with Pat Kelly, whose career with the Illinois State Police helped shape generations of troopers through training, curriculum development, mentorship, and employee support. Pat joined the Illinois State Police in 1978 after earning a master’s degree in counseling psychology. What began as a curriculum position at the Illinois State Police Academy grew into a career that placed her at the center of major changes in how troopers were trained, supported, and prepared for the realities of law enforcement. Pat shares how she immersed herself in the cadet experience, participating in physical training, firearms training, driving, ride-alongs, classroom instruction, and even the gas house so she could better understand the people and programs she was helping develop. The conversation also explores an important and often overlooked part of her career. Long before conversations about PTSD and mental health became common in law enforcement, Pat and fellow ISP employee Bob McDonnell became trusted people troopers could turn to when they needed someone to listen. That work took on new significance following the devastating 1979 American Airlines Flight 191 crash in Chicago. Pat recalls helping debrief first responders who witnessed the aftermath of the disaster and how those experiences helped demonstrate the need for greater emotional and psychological support within law enforcement. Flynn and Pat also discuss the evolution of Illinois State Police Academy training, instructor development, CALEA accreditation, leadership programs, mentoring, and the many instructors and employees who helped build the culture of ISP. Through it all, Pat says the best part of her career was the people. Listen to this episode of Trooper Talk for a look at the people behind the badge, the evolution of Illinois State Police training, and one civilian employee whose work left a lasting impact on the agency. Trooper Talk is the podcast of the Illinois State Police Heritage Foundation, dedicated to documenting and preserving the history of the Illinois State Police. 00:00 – Meet Pat Kelly 02:00 – How Pat Joined the Illinois State Police in 1978 04:48 – Beginning a Career at the Illinois State Police Academy 05:15 – Developing Better Instructors and Training 10:58 – Experiencing Cadet Training Firsthand 15:34 – “It Started With a Cup of Coffee” 17:09 – Supporting First Responders After the 1979 Chicago Plane Crash 27:07 – Taking ISP Training and Counseling Ideas Across the Country 28:06 – ISP’s Early CALEA Accreditation and Changing Training Standards 38:25 – The People, Leadership and Mentorship That Defined Her Career

  4. Sep 21

    Trooper Talk Ep. 015 | Bill O’Sullivan: Organized Crime, Vietnam & ISP Leadership

    In this episode of Trooper Talk, retired Illinois State Trooper Flynn Hanners sits down with Bill O’Sullivan to look back on a remarkable career spanning the Chicago Police Department, military intelligence, the Illinois Bureau of Investigation, and leadership within the Illinois State Police. O’Sullivan’s law enforcement career began in 1964 when he joined the Chicago Police Department at just 21 years old. Originally planning to attend law school and practice criminal law, he saw police work as an opportunity to understand the justice system firsthand. His career soon took an unexpected turn when he volunteered for military service during the Vietnam War, eventually attending Officer Candidate School, Airborne School, and military intelligence training before serving 14 months in Vietnam with the 173rd Airborne Brigade. After returning home, O’Sullivan had opportunities with both the FBI and the newly formed Illinois Bureau of Investigation (IBI). He chose the IBI, seeing an opportunity to help build a new organization from the ground up. That decision launched a career that would place him at the center of some fascinating chapters in Illinois law enforcement history. Bill takes Flynn inside his years investigating organized crime in Chicago, including his work targeting major organized crime figures and a historic Cook County murder prosecution involving an informant who survived to testify. He also recalls investigations involving surveillance, undercover agents, and the multimillion-dollar Purolator heist, giving listeners a firsthand look at the challenges of organized crime investigations during the 1970s. The conversation also explores O’Sullivan’s rise through the Illinois State Police following the 1977 merger of the IBI and ISP. He discusses serving as Director of the Division of Criminal Investigation, moving into operations, becoming Superintendent, and helping expand the capabilities of Illinois State Troopers. One of the initiatives O’Sullivan remains especially proud of was the development of more advanced tactical response teams across Illinois. Drawing on his military experience, he pushed for highly trained troopers capable of responding to hostage situations, barricaded subjects, and other incidents that local departments might not have the resources to handle. Bill and Flynn also discuss leadership, relationships between state and local law enforcement, returning troopers to patrol through a “back to the basics” approach, training at the Illinois State Police Academy, and the importance of integrity in preparing the next generation of police officers. After retiring from the Illinois State Police, O’Sullivan continued his investigative career by helping establish The Ross Agency, a private investigative agency that grew to perform significant work for federal government agencies, including credential verification supporting healthcare provided to veterans. From the streets of Chicago and military service in Vietnam to organized crime investigations and the leadership of the Illinois State Police, Bill O’Sullivan shares stories from a career dedicated to public service, innovation, and law enforcement. 00:38 – Bill O’Sullivan’s Start with the Chicago Police Department02:12 – Volunteering for Military Service and the Road to Vietnam03:56 – Military Intelligence, Vietnam and Returning Home06:43 – Choosing the Illinois Bureau of Investigation Over the FBI08:38 – Taking on Chicago Organized Crime 13:22 – Leading the Northeastern Metropolitan Enforcement Group18:51 – Building ISP Tactical Response Teams25:56 – Moving from Investigations into ISP Operations30:07 – The $4.3 Million Purolator Heist 51:10 – Retirement and Building The Ross Agency

  5. Sep 17

    Trooper Talk Ep. 014 | Terry Gainer: Stories from the U.S. Capitol

    Former Illinois State Police Director Terry Gainer is back for another episode of Trooper Talk, joining retired Illinois State Trooper Flynn Hanners to share more unforgettable stories from a career that took him from Illinois law enforcement to the halls of the U.S. Capitol. This time, Gainer takes listeners behind the scenes of his years in Washington, D.C., including his service as U.S. Senate Sergeant at Arms and Chief of the United States Capitol Police. He offers a rare look at what happens behind the cameras during presidential inaugurations, high-level government meetings, congressional hearings, and everyday interactions with some of the most powerful people in the country. One of Gainer’s most memorable stories comes from President Barack Obama’s 2009 inauguration. As Sergeant at Arms, Gainer was responsible for helping coordinate the movement of dignitaries during the ceremony. He recalls telling the newly sworn-in President Obama “no” not once, but twice, when Obama asked to personally escort outgoing President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush to their helicopter. Gainer eventually realized who was making the request and helped adjust a carefully coordinated security plan on the fly. Flynn and Gainer also discuss the more human side of Washington. Gainer recalls advising senators who were adjusting to life without the security details and special treatment they may have been accustomed to as governors, including some memorable conversations about airport lines and parking tickets. The stories continue with encounters involving international leaders, congressional testimony, difficult budget hearings, and Gainer’s attempt to establish a mounted unit while serving in Washington. He shares how a request for six horses unexpectedly became the highlight of a Senate budget hearing and the lesson he learned when the program disappeared from the budget the following year. Throughout the conversation, Gainer reflects on the leadership lessons he carried from the Chicago Police Department and Illinois State Police into his later roles in Washington. For Gainer, some of the most important lessons came from watching leaders interact with everyone around them, regardless of title, position, or rank. From presidential inaugurations and Capitol security to horses, parking tickets, and telling a president “no,” this return appearance gives Flynn and Terry another opportunity to preserve the personal stories behind an extraordinary career in American law enforcement and public service. 00:35 – Terry Gainer Returns to Trooper Talk 01:04 – Behind the Scenes of President Obama’s Inauguration 03:14 – Telling President Obama “No” 05:11 – A Memorable Obama-Bush Presidential Transition 06:31 – President Bush’s Humorous Reaction to Leaving Office 08:31 – Advising Governors and Senators in Washington 10:16 – Encounters With International Leaders at the Capitol 12:06 – Facing Tough Questions in Congressional Hearings 13:22 – The Battle to Create a Mounted Police Unit 15:29 – The Leadership Lessons Gainer Carried Throughout His Career

  6. Sep 14

    Trooper Talk Ep. 013 | Terry Gainer: From Chicago Cop to ISP Director

    In this episode of Trooper Talk, retired Illinois State Trooper Flynn Hanners sits down with former Illinois State Police Director Terry Gainer for a wide-ranging conversation about a lifetime dedicated to law enforcement, military service, leadership, and public service. Gainer grew up on the South Side of Chicago in a family deeply connected to law enforcement. His grandfather served with the Chicago Police Department, several uncles and brothers became police officers, and that tradition of service would eventually continue into the next generation of his own family. But before his career took him to some of the highest levels of law enforcement in the country, Gainer's path included service in the United States Navy, the Chicago Police Department, and Vietnam. Gainer recalls graduating from the Chicago Police Academy in 1968 and receiving an unforgettable first assignment: the 1968 Democratic National Convention. He later returned to active duty with the Navy, served in Vietnam, and came back to the Chicago Police Department, where he became a homicide detective, attended law school, and eventually served as chief legal counsel. The conversation follows Gainer's journey to the Illinois State Police, including how his work with Jeremy Margolis and the Illinois Inspector General's Office introduced him to the agency. In 1991, Governor Jim Edgar selected Gainer to serve as Director of the Illinois State Police, beginning an eight-year tenure in which he focused on training, fair hiring and promotions, leadership development, cooperation between divisions, and strengthening the agency as a whole. Flynn and Gainer also look back at some of the changes made during his time as director, from uniforms and equipment to motorcycles, training, personnel development, and efforts to give troopers and professional staff the resources they needed. Gainer shares both the successes and the ideas that didn't quite work as planned, including a memorable experiment involving shorts, pith helmets, and rollerblades at the Illinois State Fair. Gainer's career didn't end with the Illinois State Police. He went on to serve as First Deputy Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, D.C., Chief of the United States Capitol Police, and United States Senate Sergeant at Arms. He also worked with the Department of Defense on efforts involving experienced law enforcement officers embedded with military units in Iraq. Throughout the episode, Flynn and Gainer reflect on the importance of training, leadership, family, teamwork, civilian and professional staff, learning from mistakes, and breaking down barriers between different areas of law enforcement. Looking back on more than four decades in policing and the military, Gainer shares why he would choose the same career again and why he believes continued learning remains essential, no matter how much experience you have. 00:00 – Meet Former Illinois State Police Director Terry Gainer 03:24 – A Family Legacy in Law Enforcement 04:52 – Gainer’s First Assignment: The 1968 Democratic Convention 11:49 – Navy Service and Volunteering for Vietnam 23:08 – How Terry Gainer Became Director of the Illinois State Police 32:23 – Gainer’s Vision for Leading the Illinois State Police 35:25 – Improving Uniforms and Equipment for Illinois State Troopers 39:51 – Shorts, Pith Helmets and Rollerblades at the Illinois State Fair 42:27 – Bringing Motorcycles Back to the Illinois State Police 01:00:46 – Would Terry Gainer Choose a Career in Law Enforcement Again?

  7. Sep 7

    Trooper Talk Ep. 012 | The Voice Behind the Badge: Doug Brooks and ISP Communications

    In this episode of Trooper Talk, retired Illinois State Trooper Flynn Hanners sits down with Doug Brooks, a longtime civilian employee of the Illinois State Police whose career in communications began in 1970. Doug started right out of high school as a telecommunications trainee at District 9 in Springfield, Illinois, eventually building a career with ISP that lasted until his retirement in 2002. He takes listeners inside the radio room to share what it was like supporting troopers across Central Illinois at a time when dispatchers relied on manual typewriters, teletype systems, microfilm, early LEADS technology, and radio equipment that looked very different from what law enforcement uses today. Flynn and Doug discuss the critical role telecommunications personnel played in keeping troopers safe, especially when officers were working alone in rural areas with backup miles away. From tracking traffic stops and running license plates to the five-minute safety timers and unmistakable "hit tone," Doug explains why the people behind the radio were truly a lifeline for officers on the road. The conversation also explores the evolution of Illinois State Police communications, including radio frequencies, early portable radios, LEADS, TIPS, ten codes, and the technological changes Doug witnessed throughout his career. Doug later moved into the Bureau of Communications, where he became a LEADS operator trainer and eventually supervised field advisors throughout Illinois. Along the way, Doug and Flynn share plenty of stories from District 9, including memorable midnight shifts, colorful radio exchanges, the close relationship between telecommunications employees and troopers, and a few moments that could only happen in law enforcement. Doug also reflects on growing up with the Illinois State Police already in his family. His father, Raleigh Brooks, worked in ISP communications, and at one point, father and son even worked together in the District 9 radio room. It’s a look back at more than three decades of Illinois State Police history and a tribute to the telecommunications professionals whose voices over the radio helped generations of troopers do their jobs and return home safely. 00:00:40 – Doug Brooks Joins the Illinois State Police00:07:25 – Dispatching the Only Trooper Available 00:12:33 – Dispatchers as a Trooper’s Lifeline00:16:46 – The Five-Minute Traffic Stop Safety Check00:21:37 – “You’re My Trooper”00:24:44 – The “Hit Tone” and Officer Safety00:28:13 – “Call Me a Wrecker”00:29:32 – Denny King Leaves the Console to Help a Trooper00:40:53 – Becoming Part of the Midnight Shift Team00:53:22 – Funny Stories from Rural Illinois

  8. Aug 31

    Trooper Talk Ep. 011 | Andre Parker: From the Marines to Illinois State Police Leadership

    In this episode of Trooper Talk, retired Illinois State Trooper Flynn Hanners sits down with retired Lieutenant Colonel Andre Parker to look back on a remarkable career shaped by military service, law enforcement, leadership, and nearly three decades with the Illinois State Police. Parker’s path to the Illinois State Police was anything but ordinary. Raised on the South Side of Chicago, he served six years in the United States Marine Corps before joining the ISP in 1978. What started with a chance encounter with an Illinois State Police recruiter ultimately led Parker from the Marine Corps directly to the State Police Academy, beginning a 28-year career with the department. Parker shares stories from his early days as a trooper in District 10, including the culture shock of going from Chicago to rural Illinois and learning to patrol unfamiliar country roads long before GPS. He and Flynn also discuss how advanced the Illinois State Police became during this era, from communications and technology to training and specialized programs. Throughout his career, Parker served in a wide range of roles, including assignments at the Illinois State Police Academy, EEO, criminal investigations, intelligence, and field support. His career also placed him in leadership positions connected to programs such as ISP motorcycles and canine operations. He later served as Chief of Police in Richmond, Virginia, before returning to the Illinois State Police as Academy Commander, an assignment he describes as the perfect capstone to his ISP career. The conversation also explores a deeply personal part of Parker’s ISP story: meeting his future wife at the Academy. She went on to become the first female Illinois State Police officer to attain the rank of lieutenant, while the two navigated careers, marriage, and family during a groundbreaking period for women in the department. From military service and life on patrol to leadership, innovation, family, and the evolution of the Illinois State Police, Andre Parker’s story offers a unique look at an important era in ISP history. Trooper Talk is hosted by retired Trooper Flynn Hanners and presented by the Illinois State Police Heritage Foundation, whose mission is to document and preserve the history of the Illinois State Police. 00:00 – Meet Andre Parker 02:18 – Growing Up in Chicago & Choosing the Marine Corps 06:34 – How a Chance Encounter Led Andre to the Illinois State Police 10:12 – From the Marines to the ISP Academy in 1 Weekend 12:58 – A Chicago Trooper Adjusts to Rural Illinois 19:26 – The “Golden Age” of the Illinois State Police 27:07 – Would Andre Choose Law Enforcement Again Today? 30:54 – Training the Next Generation at the ISP Academy 42:43 – Bringing Motorcycles and Canine Programs Back to ISP 44:27 – Returning to the Academy as Commander and Reflecting on His Legacy

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Welcome to Trooper Talk, the official podcast of the Illinois State Police Heritage Foundation. The mission of the Illinois State Police Heritage Foundation is to document and preserve the history of the Illinois State Police.

Information

  • Creator
    Illinois State Police Heritage Foundation
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    18
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Illinois State Police Heritage Foundation
  • Show Website
    Trooper Talk

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