Joe Kenda: The Homicide Hunter on Real Murders, Hollywood, and "Killer Triggers"
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In this compelling throwback episode of *Things Police See*, host interviews legendary homicide detective Joe Kenda, renowned for his work on *Homicide Hunter* and now hosting *American Detective* on Discovery Plus. Kenda shares his 23-year career with the Colorado Springs Police Department, where he solved 356 of 387 murders—a staggering 92% clearance rate. He recounts harrowing early experiences, including a terrifying standoff with a man wielding a shotgun at point-blank range and a bizarre case involving a grenade explosion in a garage caused by a soldier’s negligence. Kenda reflects on the psychological toll of the job, revealing that reliving cases on camera has been therapeutic, helping him process trauma and PTSD. He emphasizes the importance of honesty, integrity, and emotional resilience in law enforcement, offering wisdom to new officers about choosing mentors and avoiding toxic colleagues. The episode also delves into his upcoming book, *Killer Triggers*, which explores the psychological and emotional 'switches' that push ordinary people toward murder—ranging from dementia-induced psychosis to jealousy and financial desperation. Kenda’s candid, no-nonsense storytelling underscores the real, often mundane nature of crime, challenging Hollywood’s dramatized portrayals. His message is clear: violence is rarely glamorous, and understanding the 'why' behind murder is crucial to justice. The conversation is both intimate and instructive, blending personal anecdotes with professional insight. Kenda’s humility, humanity, and unwavering commitment to justice shine through, making him not just a detective but a moral compass. From delivering babies in tanks during blizzards to confronting a former suspect decades later, his career is a testament to the profound impact one officer can have. The episode closes with a powerful reminder: true heroism lies not in action alone, but in the courage to face the darkness—and to keep standing up when others would remain seated.
Reliving traumatic cases on camera has been therapeutic for Joe Kenda, helping him process PTSD and emotional trauma.
Over 65% of homicides in the U.S. are drug-related, often stemming from confusion over debts or failed transactions.
95% of murder victims are known to their killers—most are family, friends, or acquaintances, not strangers.
Dementia and undiagnosed medical conditions like TIA (transient ischemic attacks) can trigger sudden, violent behavior in otherwise peaceful individuals.
Honesty and integrity are non-negotiable in law enforcement—lying to a superior is a career-ending offense.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Introduction and Episode Re-release
The host introduces this re-released 2021 episode featuring Joe Kenda, explaining the decision to revisit the most popular episode in the podcast’s history. He shares personal reflections on editing the audio, his excitement during the interview, and the unique relationship he built with Kenda despite the detective’s lack of social media presence.
From Patrolman to Homicide Hunter
“I was in my office minding my own business. And one of the district attorneys called and said, hey, can you come to court and testify to the process of a medical legal autopsy? Well, get on the corners. Well, they're all in court. Well, they're not all in court. They don't want to pay the expert witness fee because they're all doctors. Right. They have $500 an hour to come to court. So he said, in Colorado, if you know more and can demonstrate you know more than the average layperson about a subject, the judge will declare you an expert witness.”
The Grenade Explosion Case
“He pulled the pin. You would think he would have at least seen a John Wayne movie in his life. Right. But what's this? And he pulls the pin, he discovers four seconds later what it is. That drove us up to the wall for quite a little while before we cleared that up.”
The Most Terrifying Call: Shotgun Standoff
“I was shaking so bad I can't drive the car. I can't drive the car. I'm literally shaking uncontrollably like I'm freezing to death. And I grabbed the microphone and asked for a supervisor. I don't know what else to do. I can't move.”
The Heartwarming Legacy: Delivering a Baby in a Tank
“Well, I delivered out of the tank. He was in college. She said, I thought you should meet him. She said, it's a story in our family about the tank. That's what I guess it was, you know?”
“When someone does something unspeakable to someone else, you have two choices. You can remain seated or you can stand up. I've always stood up and I've always been proud of that.”
“This particular, it's a chapter in the book about a guy. I titled the chapter The Undoing of a Good Man because he was. Wow. I mean you probably heard that story about back in the 1800s, a guy that took the railroad spike to the head or whatever and he was the nicest guy in the village and he became the biggest jerk anybody knew and he died the biggest a-hole in the village because it altered his chemistry or brain or whatever.”
“He pulled the pin. You would think he would have at least seen a John Wayne movie in his life. Right. But what's this? And he pulls the pin, he discovers four seconds later what it is. That drove us up to the wall for quite a little while before we cleared that up.”
Host
Guest
Joe Kenda
person
Colorado Springs Police Department
organization
Homicide Hunter
other
Killer Triggers
book
Things Police See
media
TIA (Transient Ischemic Attack)
other
Discovery Channel
other
Dementia
other
American Detective
other
Fort Carson
other
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