APD Pod Squad

APD Pod Squad

Meet the men and women behind the badge at the Asheville Police Department. Cold cases, conversations, community engagement, and questions and answers with Police Chief Mike Lamb. Hosted by Public Information Officer Rick Rice.

Episodes

October 23, 2025 52 mins

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October 29th, 2013, is a day many of you in the APD remember. It’s the day we lost Senior Police Officer Rob Bingaman. In this episode, Chief Mike Lamb and Sgt Scott Fry look back at that tragic day and reflect in this deeply personal conversation.   

Also, getting to know Detective Jesse Ramirez, who will soon be Sergeant Ramirez of the Community Engagement Division. We’ll talk about his promotion and, with November b...

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October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and in this episode, Lt. Diana Loveland from the Criminal Investigations Division, who works closely with the Family Justice Center. We’ll hear all about the great work they’re doing for survivors. 

Doug Oeser, the Director of Data Accountability and Crime Analysis, discusses the large role data plays in APD’s approach to community policing. 

Senior Police Officer Carrie Lee...

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One year ago, our lives were turned upside down courtesy of Hurricane Helene, the aftereffects of which we’ll be feeling for years to come. But along with horrible tragedy came stories of bravery and heroism by Officers and Detectives of the APD. We’ll be hearing some of those firsthand stories in this episode, as I’m joined by Senior Police Officers Beau Bailey, Jose Amaya, and William Woods, and Detectives Sam DeGra...

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Welcome to Season 2! The APD Pod Squad launched on August 24th, 2024, just over one year ago. In this episode, the first of Season 2, we look back at the past year with Chief of Police Mike Lamb, Deputy Chief Sean Aardema, and Deputy Chief Jackie Stepp. Hurricane Helene dominated the headlines, of course, but the past year was so much more than that. We moved forward in many ways, and experienced wins to go with the l...

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In this episode, Getting To Know Senior Police Officer Robert Crume, who recently saved a dog from drowning in a backyard pool. We'll learn what happened that day and the latest on the rescued dog. 

August is National Black Business Month, and Detective Shawn Parker will tell us how his love for cigars led to his new business venture, which celebrated its grand opening on July 4th. 

Captain Jonathan Brown has an up...

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On this episode, getting to know Sgt. Ricardo Martinez of Recruitment and Career Development. His hard work is a big reason that staffing numbers are looking up.

Also, Senior Police Officer Preston Grondahl, who happens to be left-handed. With International Left-Handers Day on August 13th, he seemed like an obvious choice to be a guest.  SPO Grondahl began his law enforcement journey with APD, left to explore another o...

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August 1st is National Girlfriend's Day, which celebrates the special bond of friendship between girls, whether sisters or mothers, classmates or co-workers. In this episode, coworkers Senior Police Officer Madison Johnson and Senior Police Officer Angelica LaFemina discuss their close friendship and what it means, both on the job and off. 

In Asheville, there are history tours, coffee tours, beer tours, ghost tou...

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July is National Culinary Arts Month. In this episode, Cadet Trainee Julian Lanier tells us about his parents, who were both chefs, how that rubbed off, and his favorite food to prepare. Lanier was a recent BLET graduate at AB Tech, along with 14 others who will soon be patrolling our streets. The next class will be even bigger and taught exclusively by APD instructors! Chief Mike Lamb shares exciting news about the f...

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On this episode…we wish a happy belated Father’s Day to Senior Police Officer, Ryan Begley, who became a Dad for the first time one day before Hurricane Helene arrived in Western North Carolina. We'll hear all about those first few crazy days as a new Dad and how his daughter is doing 9 months later.

Senior Police Officer Ann Aiken is also a guest. You might know her as Annie, or even "Stinky Annie". Fro...

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June is Student Safety Month, and in this episode, Sgt. Craig Loveland discusses the valuable and rewarding work of our Student Resource Officers and his unique side hustle, which includes a strict "no Macarena" policy. 

Flag Day is observed on June 14th, and Sgt. Josh Veridal shares what it means to be a part of the APD Honor Guard and why you probably have never met anyone else with the last name Veridal. 

A...

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May is Mental Health Awareness Month. The last 8 months have been particularly stressful for everyone in Western North Carolina, as we continue to cope with the fallout from Hurricane Helene. During the storm and the days and weeks that followed, many stepped up and went the extra mile to support officers and their mental wellness. We'll talk with four of them, Sgt. Brandon Shope, Officer Trainee Maria Bengel, Bu...

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National Police Week begins May 11th, and in this episode​, Lt. Evan Coward and Lt. Geoffrey Rollins discuss participating in the Police Unity Tour, a 250-mile bicycle ride to honor the fallen that takes place every year. Also, "Getting to Know" Wellness Coordinator Matthew Eichman, as we celebrate Global Employee Health & Fitness Month in May. We'll hear about all he does for the officers of the AP...

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In this episode​, "Getting to Know" Captain Janice Hawkins from the Finance and Support Division. Also, Officer Isiah Senyak with the latest from the Community Engagement Division. The "History Minute with Hannah Silberman” features a line-of-duty death from 1972. And, Chief Mike Lamb answers your questions in another edition of "Ask The Chief".

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In this episode​, we celebrate April as Scottish-American Heritage Month with Retired Officer Keith McCulloch, who has been with the APD for 37 years. April is also Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and we'll explore that with Sergeant Scott Fry. Also, Captain Jonathan Brown with the latest from the Community Engagement Division. And, in another "History Minute with Hannah Silberman”, an April Fool's ...

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September 27, 2024, is a day never to be forgotten in Western North Carolina. The devastation wrought by what's been described as a geological event changed the landscape and the people that call the mountains their home. On the 6-month anniversary of Hurricane Helene, it's a Special Edition of the APD Pod Squad, with Asheville Police Chief Mike Lamb, Asheville Fire Department Assistant Chief Jeremy Knighton...

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In this episode​, as we continue to celebrate Women's History Month, we’ll feature the first female Deputy Chief at the Asheville Police Department, Jackie Stepp. Hannah Silberman tells the story of the first sworn female officer at the APD in the “History Minute”. Retired Lieutenant Rae Ferguson looks back at the multiple firsts she accomplished in her long career. And Officer Justin Lewis shares the latest from...

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In this episode​, as we celebrate March as Women's History Month, in the Getting To Know segment, learn what unique distinction SPO Mackenzie Galyean has earned. Officer Debbie LeCroy and Officer Kora both have something to say about the latest in the Community Engagement Division. In the "History Minute with Hannah Silberman", we look back at the women who joined the APD during WWII.
And, Chief Mik...

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In this episode, as we continue celebrating the 150th Anniversary of the Asheville Police Department, "Getting To Know" the longest-tenured employee of the APD, Detective Sonia Escobedo. Hannah Silberman is back with another "History Minute". Retired APD Lieutenant Jon Kirkpatrick discusses before/during/after the 1986 Michael John Shornock manhunt. And Officer Dennis Pace shares the latest from th...

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In this episode, as ​we continue to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the Asheville Police Department, we introduce "The History Minute with Hannah Silberman". We'll get to know one of our newest officers, Emily Pontiakos. Captain ​Brandon Moore shares groundbreaking news about the APD Drone Program. And CRO Carrie Lee joins us to share the latest news and activities from the Community Engagement Divis...

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The Asheville Police Department was officially established in 1875, making 2025 our 150th Anniversary. In this episode, with a nod to history, we get to know the longest-tenured Senior Police Officer, Tracy Edmonds. Accreditation Manager Hannah Silberman joins us to talk about a book she's writing about the history of the APD. Captain Joe Silberman sits down to discuss a commemorative badge he helped create, to b...

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