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Behind the Star is the official podcast of the Orange County Sheriff's Office, the largest law enforcement agency in Central Florida. From forensics to dispatch to the deputies on patrol, we share stories and talk to the brave men and women of law enforcement.
Orange County Sheriff's Office Captain Darryl Blanford and a narcotics agent, whose identity remains undisclosed due to the sensitive nature of his work, talk about the enigmatic realm of Xylazine, a drug commonly known as "Tranq" or the "Zombie Drug."
Master Deputy Nick Mahon and Deputy Doug Kimberlin talk about why the Orange County Sheriff's Office has a Marine Unit, break down some of the unique parts of the job and explain some of the challenges of working on the water during summer holiday weekends like Memorial Day.
For people diagnosed with a memory disorder or family members caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s Disease, the dangers of wandering and getting lost are a major concern.
The Orange County Sheriff's Office offers free Scent Preservation Kits to pre-collect and preserve a person’s unique scent ahead of time giving responding K-9 Units a head start during a search with an uncontaminated scent article.
In this episode, Corporal Kyle Ramsey and Deputy Angie Keller talk about how the scent kits work and their usefulness in finding a missing person.
To pick up a free Scent Evidence K-9 Collection Kit from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, come to our Central Operations Building, 2500 W. Colonial Drive, and enter the lobby that faces Colonial Drive. The lobby hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
The Orange County Police Athletic League provides athletic, recreational, and educational programs for kids by using dedicated Orange County Sheriff’s deputies as coaches and mentors. The deputies work at select schools in Orange County and organize flag football, soccer and basketball leagues. PAL Deputies Maurice Crum and Shawn Randall join Behind the Star host Jon Busdeker to talk about sports, the students and why PAL matters.
The Orange County Sheriff's Office K9s go through extensive training. On this episode, OCSO deputies Robert Lees and Angie Keller discuss K9 Tracking School, a 400-hour training course for dogs and handlers.
New deputies at the Orange County Sheriff's Office must undergo Basic Recruit Training. The 8-week training teaches deputies "the Orange County Way" of law enforcement. Corporal Ken Jorgensen and Master Deputy Autumn Chouinard of the Training Section join Behind the Star host Jon Busdeker to discuss Basic Recruit Training.
The OCSO Emergency Response Team (ERT) is made up of more than 75 deputies whose job is to respond to emergencies, including hurricane rescue efforts. Following Hurricane Ian, the Emergency Response Team was deployed to flooded neighborhoods in Orange County to evacuate residents. Sgt. Matt Schroeder and Master Deputy Kent Matherne talk to Behind the Star host Jon Busdeker about how the team prepared for Hurricane Ian and the on-going rescue efforts across Florida.
In August 1992, deputies at the Orange County Sheriff's Office found the body of John Stagner. An Orange County maintenance worker, Stagner had been beaten to death in his bed at a county maintenance property where he lived. Last week, Orange County Sheriff John Mina announced the arrest of Ronald Cates in connection with the murder. Corporal Dave Nutting and Detective Kevin Wilson talk to Behind the Star host Jon Busdeker about the murder and how the case was solved.
Members of the Orange County Sheriff’s Office Crime Prevention Unit work with the community to stop a crime before it can occur. Sgt. Helen Harvey and Master Deputy Stanley Murray talk to Behind the Star host Jon Busdeker about the Crime Prevention Unit and how a few simple upgrades can reduce the likelihood of being a victim of crime.
The Orange County Sheriff's Office Motor Unit is a county-wide unit that conducts traffic enforcement as well as provides security escorts for visiting dignitaries, conducts funeral escorts and participates in community relations and educational events. Behind the Star host Jon Busdeker talks to Lt. Mark Conner and Sgt. Dave McDaniels of the Motor Unit about speeding and aggressive driving in Orange County, how to get them to come to your neighborhood and what it's like cruising around on a motorcycle.
Amanda is a wife. A mother. A blogger. A Christian.
A charming, beautiful, bubbly, young woman who lives life to the fullest.
But Amanda is dying, with a secret she doesn’t want anyone to know.
She starts a blog detailing her cancer journey, and becomes an inspiration, touching and
captivating her local community as well as followers all over the world.
Until one day investigative producer Nancy gets an anonymous tip telling her to look at Amanda’s
blog, setting Nancy on an unimaginable road to uncover Amanda’s secret.
Award winning journalist Charlie Webster explores this unbelievable and bizarre, but
all-too-real tale, of a woman from San Jose, California whose secret ripped a family apart and
left a community in shock.
Scamanda is the true story of a woman whose own words held the key to her secret.
New episodes every Monday.
Follow Scamanda on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen.
Amanda’s blog posts are read by actor Kendall Horn.
