In this episode, we had the privilege of interviewing Corey Pegues, who is one of the most accomplished black officers in the history of the NYPD. His memoir "Once A Cop," published in 2017, provides a riveting and insightful account of his life story. Pegues grew up in Southside Jamaica, Queens, where he faced many challenges due to growing up in poverty as one of many children. Despite his challenging circumstances, he found solace in playing basketball and eventually turned to selling drugs to make ends meet. In our interview, Pegues opened up about his past and shared his experiences with us. He talked about his family dynamics, the challenges he faced growing up, and what motivated him to pursue a career in law enforcement. He also recounted his days as a basketball player and how he transitioned to selling drugs for the notorious Supreme Team. Pegues shared how he navigated out of that situation and ultimately found his way into the NYPD. As a police officer, Pegues worked tirelessly to serve and protect the people of his community. He rose through the ranks and became one of the highest-ranking officers in the department's history before retiring due to health issues. Throughout his career, he worked to build bridges between law enforcement and the communities they serve, and he continues to be a respected figure in the field of criminal justice. If you're interested in hearing more about Corey Pegues and his incredible life journey, be sure to check out the full episode, available on all audio platforms.