Only Two NYPD Cops Went to Afghanistan - He Was One of Them | Tom Smith | Ep. 379

dee takos

08 November 2025

Retired NYPD detective Tom Smith joins the show to recount three decades on the force — from the crack epidemic and 9/11 to counterterrorism and major international cases. He shares raw stories of trauma, resilience, and redemption, and reflects on the mental toll of policing, the evolution of the job, and his new mission through the Gold Shields podcast. Check out Tom's podcast Gold Shields here: https://thegoldshieldshow.com/ https://www.carryimpact.com/ Today's Sponsors  TrueWerk ⬇️ https://truewerk.com/house use code "HOUSE" for 15% off! GhostBed⬇️ https://www.ghostbed.com/house FOR 25% off sitewide!  For ad free video and audio and access to live streams and Eyes On Geopolitics...JOIN OUR PATREON!  https://www.patreon.com/c/TheTeamHouse To help support the show and for all bonus content including: -live shows and asking guest questions  -ad free audio and video -early access to shows -Access to ALL bonus segments with our guests Subscribe to our Patreon! ⬇️ https://www.patreon.com/TheTeamHouse Support the show here:⬇️ https://www.patreon.com/TheTeamHouse ___________________________________________________ Subscribe to the new EYES ON podcast here:⬇️ https://www.youtube.com/@EyesOnGeopoliticsPod/featured __________________________________ Jack Murphy's new book "We Defy: The Lost Chapters of Special Forces History" ⬇️ https://www.amazon.com/We-Defy-Chapters-Special-History-ebook/dp/B0DCGC1N1N/ —————————————————————— Or make a one time donation at: ⬇️ https://ko-fi.com/theteamhouse Social Media: ⬇️ The Team House Instagram: https://instagram.com/the.team.house?utm_medium=copy_link The Team House Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheTeamHousePod Jack’s Instagram: https://instagram.com/jackmcmurph?utm_medium=copy_link Jack’s Twitter:  https://twitter.com/jackmurphyrgr?s=21 Dave’s Twitter:  https://twitter.com/dave_parke?s=21 Team House Discord: ⬇️ https://discord.gg/wHFHYM6 SubReddit: ⬇️ https://www.reddit.com/r/TheTeamHouse/ Jack Murphy's memoir "Murphy's Law" can be found here:⬇️  https://www.amazon.com/Murphys-Law-Journey-Investigative-Journalist/dp/1501191241 The Team Room Reading Room (Amazon Affiliate links):⬇️  https://jackmurphywrites.com/the-team-room-reading-room/ Intro music by https://www.youtube.com/user/RemixSample "Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio" 00:00 – Early Career & NYPD Beginnings 09:11 – Policing Through the Crack Epidemic 13:40 – Anti-Crime Unit & First Shootout 30:11 – Assigned to Robbery Squad & 9/11 Strikes 39:12 – Joining the Joint Terrorism Task Force 45:11 – Afghanistan Kidnapping Case 52:18 – Preventing a School Shooting 55:46 – Saving an Infant & Memorable Cases 59:03 – Retirement & Mental Health Reflections 1:10:49 – Gold Shields Podcast & Closing Thoughts Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-team-house--5960890/support.