Two Cops One Donut

We were asked “what exactly is the point of this show?”Answer: social media is an underutilized tool by police. Not just police, but firefighters, DA’s, nurses, military, ambulance, teachers; front liners. This show is designed to reveal the full potential of true communication through long discussion format. This will give a voice to these professions that often go unheard from those that do it. Furthermore, it’s designed to show authentic and genuine response; rather than the tiresome “look, cops petting puppies” approach. We are avoiding the sound bite narrative so the first responders and those associated can give fully articulated thought. The idea is the viewers both inside and outside these career fields can gain realistic and genuine perspective to make informed opinions on the content. Overall folks, we want to earn your respect, help create the change you want and need together through all channels of the criminal justice system and those that directly impact it. This come

Two Cops One Donut is a society podcast hosted by Sgt. Erik Lavigne, with 278 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Sgt. Erik Lavigne hosts Two Cops One Donut, a society show with 278 episodes published.

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  Episode #38

  He Thought She Was 12? Is 10 Years Enough for a Former Texas Trooper?

  Sep 29, 20261h 26mS4

  He thought she was 12. He wore a badge. Is ten years enough? Former Texas DPS trooper Christian Estrada pleaded guilty after attempting to entice someone he believed was a 12-year-old girl into sexual activity. The supposed child was an undercover decoy. His sentence: ten years in federal prison, followed by lifetime supervised release. Read the DOJ case summary. In this solo episode of Two Cops One Donut, Erik Lavigne examines the investigation, the digital evidence and the sentence—and explains why he believes ten years falls short. Should officers who deliberately commit crimes face harsher punishment because of the public trust placed in them? The conversation covers: The undercover operation across Reddit, Telegram and Snapchat. Criminal intent, substantial steps and attempt law when the supposed child is fictitious. The ten-year sentence, lifetime supervision and unanswered questions about the sentencing record. The difference between an ethical breach of trust and a specific sentencing enhancement. The FBI investigation, Texas DPS’s response and what meaningful transparency should look like. Erik also talks with the live audience about practical police training, report writing, qualified immunity, officer liability insurance and the show’s fundraiser for injured officer Roberto Ortiz. What should the punishment accomplish—and should wearing a badge raise the standard? Listen, then share your reasoning in the comments on the Two Cops One Donut YouTube channel. Follow the podcast and share it with someone who sees policing differently. Recorded live September 29, 2026. Strong language and discussion of child sexual exploitation. Intended for adult audiences. Commentary is for educational and entertainment purposes, not legal advice. send us a message! twocopsonedonut@yahoo.com Support the show Please see our Youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/c/TwoCopsOneDonut Join our Discord!! https://discord.gg/BdjeTEAc *Send us a message! twocopsonedonut@yahoo.com Visit us at TwoCopsOneDonut.com & https://www.thedonut.tv/ Contact us at twocopsonedonut@yahoo.com Subscribe to us on Apple, Spotify, and Amazon Music at “2 Cops 1 Donut” Donate Here: https://buymeacoffee.com/twocopsonedonut *Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more insightful discussions on law enforcement and community safety!* *Join the conversation in the comments below!* #TwoCopsOneDonut #PublicSafety #ErikLavigne #firtsresponders Our partners: Ghost Patch: tell them Two Cops One Donut sent you and get free shipping on Flex Shield orders! GhostPatchCustoms.com Insight LPR license plate recognition technology provides 24/7 real-time insight for homes, businesses and neighborhoods. Protect what matters most! Visit https://insightlpr.com/ Retro Rifle: Official Clothing of Two Cops One Donut. Hawaiian Shirts, Guns, and Pop-Culture! head to Retro-Rifle.com tell them we sent ya!

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  Episode #37

  Qualified Immunity: Protecting Good Cops or Shielding Bad Ones? | Brandon Grable

  Sep 28, 20263h 3mS4

  Qualified immunity is one of the most misunderstood and controversial doctrines in American policing. Does it actually protect good officers making reasonable decisions, or has it become a barrier that keeps legitimate civil-rights claims from ever reaching a jury? In this episode of Two Cops One Donut, Sgt. Erik Lavigne sits down with civil-rights attorney Brandon Grable of Clearly Established for an in-depth discussion on what qualified immunity actually is, what it is not, and whether law enforcement really needs it. Joining the conversation are retired law enforcement officers Matt Thornton, Zoel “Red Dog” Murphy, and Banning Sweatland. The discussion breaks down qualified immunity without the usual slogans, including the “clearly established law” standard, why a constitutional violation can occur while an official still receives immunity, the difference between qualified immunity and Graham v. Connor’s objective-reasonableness standard, indemnification and who actually pays civil judgments, the difference between civil and criminal accountability, First Amendment cases, police training, the role of the courts, and what could replace qualified immunity if it disappeared. Brandon also explains why eliminating qualified immunity would not eliminate the protections officers receive when their actions are objectively reasonable, and Erik openly challenges several assumptions he previously held about why officers need the doctrine. By the end of the nearly three-hour conversation, Erik reaches a conclusion he did not expect when the episode began. This is not a pro-police versus anti-police debate. It is a long-form attempt to understand how qualified immunity actually works, why critics believe it is fundamentally broken, what legitimate protections police officers still need, and how citizens should be able to seek accountability when government violates constitutional rights. If you have ever heard someone say “qualified immunity protects bad cops,” “abolishing qualified immunity will bankrupt police officers,” or “qualified immunity prevents officers from being criminally charged,” this episode is designed to separate the myths from the actual legal questions. Educational and entertainment purposes only. Nothing in this episode should be considered legal advice. send us a message! twocopsonedonut@yahoo.com Support the show Please see our Youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/c/TwoCopsOneDonut Join our Discord!! https://discord.gg/BdjeTEAc *Send us a message! twocopsonedonut@yahoo.com Visit us at TwoCopsOneDonut.com & https://www.thedonut.tv/ Contact us at twocopsonedonut@yahoo.com Subscribe to us on Apple, Spotify, and Amazon Music at “2 Cops 1 Donut” Donate Here: https://buymeacoffee.com/twocopsonedonut *Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more insightful discussions on law enforcement and community safety!* *Join the conversation in the comments below!* #TwoCopsOneDonut #PublicSafety #ErikLavigne #firtsresponders Our partners: Ghost Patch: tell them Two Cops One Donut sent you and get free shipping on Flex Shield orders! GhostPatchCustoms.com Insight LPR license plate recognition technology provides 24/7 real-time insight for homes, businesses and neighborhoods. Protect what matters most! Visit https://insightlpr.com/ Retro Rifle: Official Clothing of Two Cops One Donut. Hawaiian Shirts, Guns, and Pop-Culture! head to Retro-Rifle.com tell them we sent ya!

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  Episode #36

  Natasha Lopez: Police Authority and Accountability

  Sep 23, 20261h 18mS4

  A disputed home entry. An obstruction arrest. Then allegations that the arresting deputy targeted the homeowner online. What happened to Natasha Lopez, and what should police accountability look like when a citizen’s complaint becomes personal? Sgt. Erik Lavigne examines the Cherokee County, Georgia, case through the reported timeline, the sheriff’s explanation, Lopez’s account, and questions from the live audience. The discussion covers the deputy’s entry into her home, the search for her son’s cellphone, and allegations involving an anonymous Facebook page. We dig into: • Warrantless home entry, protective sweeps, and claims of urgency • The difference between challenging an officer and criminal obstruction • Body-camera audio, missing evidence, and what supervisors should investigate • Alleged online retaliation and misuse of sensitive information • Police discretion, traffic-stop exit orders, identification, and lawful gun ownership • What meaningful accountability and an independent investigation should look like Erik brings his policing perspective while acknowledging unanswered questions and revisiting assumptions as the conversation develops. What fact would change your mind? Listen, weigh the arguments, and share this episode with someone who sees it differently. Follow Two Cops One Donut on your podcast app and subscribe on YouTube to join future live conversations. 00:00 Introduction and disclaimer 01:43 Introducing the Natasha Lopez case 05:56 The arrest and competing accounts 08:11 Allegations of online targeting 10:07 Reviewing Lopez’s account and encounter footage 12:37 Home entry, warrants, and urgency 25:35 TCOD merchandise preview 31:19 Protective sweeps and a supervisor’s review 41:51 What exactly was the obstruction? 46:47 Alleged retaliation and officer accountability 54:57 Investigating misconduct complaints 01:00:14 What should happen next? 01:10:57 Final takeaways 01:16:49 Upcoming guest conversations Recorded September 23, 2026. This discussion reflects information available during the livestream. Allegations are not findings of guilt. The host is a police officer, not a journalist. For education and discussion, not legal advice. send us a message! twocopsonedonut@yahoo.com Support the show Please see our Youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/c/TwoCopsOneDonut Join our Discord!! https://discord.gg/BdjeTEAc *Send us a message! twocopsonedonut@yahoo.com Visit us at TwoCopsOneDonut.com & https://www.thedonut.tv/ Contact us at twocopsonedonut@yahoo.com Subscribe to us on Apple, Spotify, and Amazon Music at “2 Cops 1 Donut” Donate Here: https://buymeacoffee.com/twocopsonedonut *Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more insightful discussions on law enforcement and community safety!* *Join the conversation in the comments below!* #TwoCopsOneDonut #PublicSafety #ErikLavigne #firtsresponders Our partners: Ghost Patch: tell them Two Cops One Donut sent you and get free shipping on Flex Shield orders! GhostPatchCustoms.com Insight LPR license plate recognition technology provides 24/7 real-time insight for homes, businesses and neighborhoods. Protect what matters most! Visit https://insightlpr.com/ Retro Rifle: Official Clothing of Two Cops One Donut. Hawaiian Shirts, Guns, and Pop-Culture! head to Retro-Rifle.com tell them we sent ya!

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  Episode #35

  His Tesla Changed the Case: Police Assumptions & Bodycam Gaps

  Sep 21, 20261h 37mS4

  Police thought he was fleeing. His Tesla footage helped tell a different story. Could the situation have been sorted out before it became a nearly two-year criminal case? On this solo episode of Two Cops One Donut, Erik Lavigne examines Kevin Finley’s Winter Springs, Florida, arrest and acquittal. Erik explains why he can understand the officer’s initial interpretation while questioning the assumptions behind it—and what should happen when new evidence challenges an officer’s account. We discuss unmarked traffic stops, driver awareness, supervisor review, and how ego can get in the way of reconsidering a decision. Then we turn to Marc Fogle’s death in Clark County, Washington, and his family’s $27 million tort claim. The discussion examines reporting on a struggle over the deputy’s gun, disputed body-camera interruptions, and why evaluating force and preserving evidence are separate responsibilities. Erik also explains how conversations with viewers changed his position on muting body cameras. His preference: record throughout the call and protect sensitive information through redaction afterward. That leads to a debate about accidental shutoffs, officer privacy, and recording an entire shift. In this episode: 00:00 Welcome and show disclaimer 03:47 What would change your mind? Mailbox searches and context 11:09 Bodycam muting versus redaction 19:33 Kevin Finley: the Tesla footage and acquittal 22:34 Should unmarked police cars make traffic stops? 33:06 What supervisors should check after an arrest 40:27 Officer ego and police training 51:22 Reconsidering an arrest before doubling down 59:06 Marc Fogle and the Clark County claim 01:10:37 Camera interruptions: accident or intentional shutoff? 01:13:16 How viewers changed Erik’s position on muting 01:26:11 Recording every call versus recording an entire shift 01:28:30 Requests for a supervisor: policy and follow-through 01:32:22 What a meaningful public explanation should include What evidence would change your mind—and what should a department explain when a case raises serious questions? Watch the full video and join future livestreams on YouTube at Two Cops One Donut. Subscribe and bring your perspective to the conversation. Contains strong language and discussion of fatal violence. The Clark County claim contains allegations, not court findings. Commentary reflects the host’s views and is not legal advice. send us a message! twocopsonedonut@yahoo.com Support the show Please see our Youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/c/TwoCopsOneDonut Join our Discord!! https://discord.gg/BdjeTEAc *Send us a message! twocopsonedonut@yahoo.com Visit us at TwoCopsOneDonut.com & https://www.thedonut.tv/ Contact us at twocopsonedonut@yahoo.com Subscribe to us on Apple, Spotify, and Amazon Music at “2 Cops 1 Donut” Donate Here: https://buymeacoffee.com/twocopsonedonut *Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more insightful discussions on law enforcement and community safety!* *Join the conversation in the comments below!* #TwoCopsOneDonut #PublicSafety #ErikLavigne #firtsresponders Our partners: Ghost Patch: tell them Two Cops One Donut sent you and get free shipping on Flex Shield orders! GhostPatchCustoms.com Insight LPR license plate recognition technology provides 24/7 real-time insight for homes, businesses and neighborhoods. Protect what matters most! Visit https://insightlpr.com/ Retro Rifle: Official Clothing of Two Cops One Donut. Hawaiian Shirts, Guns, and Pop-Culture! head to Retro-Rifle.com tell them we sent ya!

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  Episode #34

  Who Checks the Jail? The Bubba Blair Case

  Sep 20, 20261h 10mS4

  What happens when the government takes complete control over someone's basic needs and the safeguards meant to protect that person fail? In this episode of Two Cops One Donut, Sgt. Erik Lavigne examines the death of Gary “Bubba” Blair, who died while being held at the Chesterfield County Detention Center in South Carolina. Blair had been found incompetent to stand trial and was awaiting competency-restoration treatment when he died. His family's attorney says the autopsy lists profound dehydration due to deprivation of water as the cause of death and homicide as the manner of death. We break down the allegations surrounding his confinement, the warning signs that reportedly existed before his death, what investigators should be looking for, where individual responsibility may begin and end, and why changing policy after a tragedy is not the same thing as proving accountability. Then we turn to a very different case with the same underlying question. Former Stamford police officer Zachary Lockwood is on trial following a fatal 2023 crash that occurred while he was responding to a call originally classified as nonemergency. We discuss emergency-response discretion, the difference between violating policy, making a bad decision and committing a crime, and how much risk is justified when an officer decides to upgrade a response. Two stories. Two very different uses of government authority. One central question: Who owns the consequences when discretion goes wrong? Two Cops One Donut isn't copaganda and it isn't anti-police outrage. We examine the facts, challenge bad police work, recognize good police work, and have the conversations necessary to make policing better. Follow the podcast and join the conversation. send us a message! twocopsonedonut@yahoo.com Support the show Please see our Youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/c/TwoCopsOneDonut Join our Discord!! https://discord.gg/BdjeTEAc *Send us a message! twocopsonedonut@yahoo.com Visit us at TwoCopsOneDonut.com & https://www.thedonut.tv/ Contact us at twocopsonedonut@yahoo.com Subscribe to us on Apple, Spotify, and Amazon Music at “2 Cops 1 Donut” Donate Here: https://buymeacoffee.com/twocopsonedonut *Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more insightful discussions on law enforcement and community safety!* *Join the conversation in the comments below!* #TwoCopsOneDonut #PublicSafety #ErikLavigne #firtsresponders Our partners: Ghost Patch: tell them Two Cops One Donut sent you and get free shipping on Flex Shield orders! GhostPatchCustoms.com Insight LPR license plate recognition technology provides 24/7 real-time insight for homes, businesses and neighborhoods. Protect what matters most! Visit https://insightlpr.com/ Retro Rifle: Official Clothing of Two Cops One Donut. Hawaiian Shirts, Guns, and Pop-Culture! head to Retro-Rifle.com tell them we sent ya!

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