Shot, Stabbed, and Still Running Toward Danger

Chicago Police Sergeant (ret.) Danny O’Toole sits down with Garry McCarthy to unpack a career that reads like a novel: shot during a narcotics warrant, stabbed twice, nearly blown out by friendly fire—and the day he shot a charging pit bull off a 13-year-old boy.

The two dive into what actually keeps cops and communities safe: smart tactics, relentless training, good data, and clear-eyed leadership.

From Harlem shootouts to Englewood patrols, from stop-and-frisk misconceptions to quality-of-life enforcement, this is an unvarnished conversation about danger, decision-making, and why support for officers matters.

It ends where O’Toole says it all begins—family, service, and example.

“Wearing the Badge” is hosted by former Chicago Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy in partnership with Fox 32 Chicago. McCarthy, who began his law enforcement career with the NYPD, is now the police chief in Willow Springs, Illinois. Beyond breaking down the latest crime trends and the policies that shape strategies, McCarthy and seasoned law enforcement officials share what it really means to wear the badge—revealing both the challenges and rewards of serving on the front lines.