Law Enforcement Talk: True Crime and Trauma Stories · John "Jay" Wiley, Bleav

Prison And The State Police, Bomb Squad

November 9, 2025·40 min·4 clips

Ken Emerson's robot error during a prison standoff almost triggered the execution of two hostages.

Retired Arizona State Trooper and Army veteran Ken Emerson joins host John J. Wiley, a retired police sergeant, to discuss his multifaceted career in law enforcement. This episode focuses intensely on Emerson's extensive experience as a bomb squad technician for the Arizona Department of Public Safety. He aims to demystify the realities of bomb disposal work, countering common Hollywood stereotypes. Emerson explains that the Arizona DPS bomb squad responded to 300-500 calls annually, many involving suspicious packages or false alarms at schools. He details specific threats like improvised explosive devices (IEDs) triggered by radio frequencies, referencing the Boston Marathon bombers' pressure cookers with external antennas. Emerson recounts a personal scare involving roadside flares disguised as dynamite in a car's console, which led him to help write Arizona Senate Bills 1153 and 1154 to strengthen laws against fake explosive devices. The conversation covers common devices like pipe bombs, inert military grenades repurposed as IEDs, and Molotov cocktails. Emerson describes the 2004 Lewis Prison hostage crisis, where two corrections officers were held for 7 and 15 days, and his team used robots to deliver supplies. A key insight is the stark difference between military and civilian bomb disposal; civilian technicians prioritize working from a distance using robots and x-rays to disrupt devices safely. Emerson reveals that the standard bomb suit weighs 90 pounds and becomes dangerously hot in Arizona's 115-degree heat, often requiring cooling vests and medical monitoring. He notes that pipe bombs are the most common IED nationally, sometimes modified with shrapnel like nails or attached to tripwires for use in places like marijuana grows. The training for a civilian bomb technician is a five-week course in Huntsville, Alabama, followed by mandatory monthly and triannual recertifications. The tone is a respectful, conversational interview between two seasoned law enforcement veterans, blending personal anecdotes with educational explanations. The style is straightforward and informative, aiming to provide an authentic look into a high-stakes specialization. This episode is ideal for listeners interested in forensic science, tactical police work, firsthand accounts of critical incidents, or careers in public safety. Those seeking light entertainment or who are sensitive to discussions of violence and trauma might prefer to skip it.

As heard by us

A blunt, practical look at bomb-squad work and its lasting strain.

This episode gives a practical, unsparing view of law enforcement work through a retired Arizona State Trooper and United States Army veteran.

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Why you'd press play

You want a straight talker on bombs, not a glossy crime package.

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