Former Lawman
Police bodycam and OIS breakdowns from Ray Dietrich, a former 20-year Southern California lawman. Real-world use-of-force analysis. No spin.
| Platform |  | Pricing | Only free issues | Publishes | Daily |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Issues | 95 | Founded | 7 months ago | Last Issue | 4 days ago |
| Active | |||||
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formerlawman.substack.comLatest Issues
Units Are Surrounded
Three men came up a dirt road toward us in the dark, laughing, not knowing we were there. The first one had a rifle hanging at his side. At thirty to forty feet he saw me, stopped, turned, and it started to come up. I was flat on my stomach...
He Grabbed the Officer's Gun Out of the Brush | Fairfax County Bodycam Breakdown
Incident: July 28, 2026, the 7000 block of Sutter Lane, Annandale, Virginia, at 9:57 a.m. Footage released by the Fairfax County Police Department on August 26, 2026.
A woman called 911 to report that her husband was armed with two knives...
He Took A Bat To A Gunfight | LAPD Bodycam
Incident: July 29, 2026, Los Angeles, California. Footage released by the Los Angeles Police Department: August 31, 2026.
Los Angeles Police Department officers shot and killed a man who advanced on them with a raised aluminum bat beneath...
Armed With A Butcher Knife and “Go Ahead, Kill Me” | Jacksonville Bodycam Breakdown
Incident: August 11, 2026, the 1100 block of Westdale Drive, Jacksonville, Florida. Footage released by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office on August 26, 2026.
A man called the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and reported that his girlfriend h...
He Executed Her in Front of the Officer | Peoria Bodycam Breakdown
Watch the full breakdown on Rumble
Incident: May 8, 2026, Hamilton Boulevard, Peoria, Illinois. Footage released by the Illinois State Police on August 26, 2026.
A family called 911 after a woman texted them from inside her ex-boyfriend’s...
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Authors
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Former Lawman Ray Dietrich breaks down police bodycam and officer-involved shootings with 20 years of real Southern California law enforcement experience—patrol, gangs, detective, FTO, sergeant, watch commander.
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