How I Survived 30 Years Of Law Enforcement: Cartels, Shootouts & The Trauma No One Talks About!

In this episode, I sit down with Matthew Thomas, a veteran law enforcement officer with over 30 years of experience on the frontlines of America’s battle against the Mexican cartels. From high-speed chases to life-or-death shootouts, from seeing firsthand the devastation of human trafficking to confronting the harsh reality of violent gangs like MS-13, Matt has lived through it all.

This conversation isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s raw, unfiltered, and deeply personal. Matt opens up about the trauma that comes with the job, the moments that nearly took his life, and the faith that kept him going. We talk about the realities of the U.S.-Mexico border, far beyond what the mainstream media portrays. It’s not just about illegal immigration; it’s about cartels operating with no regard for human life, smuggling drugs, and committing unspeakable crimes on American soil.

We also dive into Matthew’s book, Interceptors: The Untold Fight Against the Mexican Cartels, which gives a no-BS account of what’s really happening in this ongoing war.

This episode will shake you. It will challenge what you think you know. And it just might change the way you see the world.

Key Moments:
1:12 The Power of Perspective: A Life Lived on the Edge
9:55 The Turning Point: Choosing Law Enforcement Over the Streets
17:12 Beyond Illegal Immigration: The Full Scope of Cartel Crime
21:59 The Ruthlessness of the Cartels
32:10 A Face-to-Face Encounter with an MS-13 Gang Member
36:50 El Salvador’s Approach to Gang Control
40:08 Losing a Teammate in a Training Accident
47:02 The Hidden Trauma of Law Enforcement
56:07 The Rising Suicide Rate Among Veterans and Officers
58:04 Finding Healing Through Faith

Matthew Thomas Info:
IG: @deputy_onetime (https://www.instagram.com/deputy_onetime/)
Matthew’s book, Interceptors: The Untold Fight Against the Mexican Cartels - mybook.to/interceptors

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