S5E2 HOMETOWN HERO

Hometown Hero: Stopping a School Shooter in His Kids' School In this gripping episode, we sit down with Tom Smith, retired NYPD detective and co-host of The Gold Shields Podcast. Tom shares a harrowing personal account of when his professional and personal worlds collided—when he had just days to stop a school shooting at his own children’s school. Tom reveals the chilling details of the threat, the investigation, and the ultimate prevention of what could have been a devastating tragedy. Summary of Key Topics Covered: Tom Smith's career in the NYPD and his transition to The Gold Shields Podcast. The unexpected threat at his children's high school and the brave actions of a young student that alerted authorities. How Tom's training and instincts kicked in as he worked to prevent a school shooting with only days to spare. The emotional toll of balancing being a detective and a father during such a critical time. Lessons learned from the case, the importance of vigilance, and how social media played a pivotal role in stopping the attack. Guest Introduction: Tom Smith: A retired NYPD detective with 30 years of experience, Tom worked on high-stakes cases, including post-9/11 terrorism investigations. He now co-hosts The Gold Shields Podcast, where he shares untold stories of law enforcement and military heroes. Learn more about Tom and his podcast. Episode Highlights with Timestamps: [00:01] Introduction to Tom Smith and his background in law enforcement. [10:00] The discovery of a school shooting threat targeting Tom's children’s school. [12:00] How a brave student’s actions helped prevent the attack. [15:30] Tom’s investigation into the shooter and the clues that led to his arrest. [20:00] The emotional toll of investigating a case that hit so close to home. [28:00] How Tom and the local authorities worked together to avert the school shooting just days before it was planned. [35:00] The lasting impact on the school and community, and Tom’s reflections on the importance of being vigilant. Relevant Resources and Links: Support us on Patreon for exclusive content and early access to episodes. Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts. More insights from Katherine Schweit: Katherine Schweit. The Gold Shields Podcast with Tom Smith. Website: Sarah Ferris Media Email: [e-mail] Share: If you found this episode insightful, share it with someone who might benefit from it and join the conversation on social media. SUPPORTING OUR SPONSORS, SUPPORTS THE PODCAST CRIMECON UK TICKETS HERE CRIMECON US TICKETS HERE DON’T forget to use DISCOUNT CODE “FERRIS” RESOURCES Stop the Bleed training FBI RUN, HIDE, FIGHT This is a Sarah Ferris Media production on the Killer Podcasts Network. Check out more Sarah Ferris Media productions: CONNING THE CON KLOOGHLESS - THE LONG CON GUILTY GREENIE THE BRAVERY ACADEMY WATCHING TWO DETECTIVES Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices