Hibernian Radio Podcast, Sat. April 29, 2023

Mike Brown

Fox’s Pizza, Guinness, Big Corner Tavern, Madden Funds and Flood Brothers Disposal present the Hibernian Radio Hour as we return to our First Responders Tour at our new recording location, Big Corner Tavern, and this week we welcome retired FBI Special Agent Mike Brown to the show. Mike worked with the FBI for 32 years before retiring in 2021. He was brought up on Chicago’s southside in St. Christina’s parish and attended Brother Rice. He has 3 siblings and chats about his father who was a Chicago firefighter. Mike speaks fondly about his 3 sons; his oldest is a Marine Corp Helicopter Pilot, his middle son is a nurse and his youngest is studying Accounting. Mike was initially assigned to the Detroit Field Office and transferred to Kalamazoo Resident Agency in ’97 before moving to Chicago’s Field Office. He was assigned to various squads in Chicago’s downtown office as well as the South Resident Agency in Orland Park and he worked on many different Violent Crimes such as bank robberies, kidnappings and even murder! When asked if he misses the job, Mike replies, “I did at first. I miss the routine.. I really enjoyed the people I worked with, the mission, the challenge.”. He shares his experience at the FBI Training Academy that lasted about 16 weeks where the courses were divided up into three areas: Physical fitness, Firearms and Academics. “Best firearms program in the country!” He takes us through a typical day working for the FBI in Chicago and he looks back fondly on his time working in Michigan. Mike shares some stories from his FBI days including responding to a call where a cunning bank robber cut his way into the bank through the attic. He explains how intense the response from SWAT was with about 90 squad officers showing up and he ends the story with the epic way in which they caught him – with the help of a robotic camera! Mike also shares another story about another bank robbery which led to a high speed chase and the perpetrator barricaded himself in a civilian’s home after shooting their dog. It all ended with the Tac team “gassing the house” and throwing a flash bang into the room he was in. Mike described the beer he had after the stand-off as “the best beer of my life!”. He and Houli discuss the current social unrest and public opinion of Law Enforcement. “You do this job because you believe in America and you believe in Law and Order… It’s why we do what we do!” Mike ends his great interview with some shout-outs to his former colleagues and one last story about transporting certain body parts that helped with a murder investigation. What a legend this guy is with such an incredible career! Houli then brings us up to date on the recent obituaries followed by a quick trip to “Houli-Town”. Make sure you come out to Ken’s on Western Ave on Thursday, May 4th from 6-8pm where Houli will be signing some books and honoring his old pal and Ken’s owner, Jackie Casto. It’s bound to be a great night – see you there!