Early Career and Transition to Law Enforcement

• 🎤 Dave Stone began his career as a radio DJ in Atlanta for about four years before transitioning to law enforcement.
• 🎸 He also worked as a tour manager for metal bands like Fozzy and Stuck Mojo.
• 👮 Stone joined the Cobb County Police Department at 23, seeking job stability, health insurance, and a 401k.
• 🎓 The police academy training was an intensive eight to nine months, emphasizing officer safety and covering law and tactical skills.

Experiences as a Police Officer

• 🚗 After academy, Stone spent eight months as a patrol officer with a Field Training Officer (FTO).
• 🤕 He recounts an incident where his cousin's ankle was broken during a high-speed chase, leading to early retirement and a full pension.
• 🏠 Stone also worked as a courtesy officer, providing free rent in exchange for handling noise complaints and minor issues.
• 💔 Despite the benefits, Stone admits he hated his job as a police officer, citing a series of disgruntled events and suspensions.

A Decapitated Head and a Broken Wrist

• 🤯 On his third day out, Stone and his FTO responded to a call about a "mannequin" on train tracks, which turned out to be a decapitated body.
• 🤕 He describes the grim task of retrieving the head, which had rolled about 10 yards away.
• 💥 In another incident, while attempting to arrest a suspect with a warrant, a struggle ensued, resulting in the suspect's wrist being broken while only in one handcuff.
• ⚖️ Stone was suspended for excessive use of force due to this incident, despite the suspect actively trying to take his weapon.

Bribery Charges and Investigation

• 🚨 Stone was eventually charged with bribery after accepting $50 from a man with a broken taillight, who later complained to the department.
• 🕵️ An internal investigation, collaborating with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), suspected him of being a serial offender targeting non-English speaking Latinos.
• 🎣 Undercover GBI officers attempted to bait him into repeating the offense, but he refused.
• ⚖️ Facing potential prison time, Stone accepted a plea bargain for five years of probation, avoiding trial.

Life After Law Enforcement

• 💼 After leaving the police force, Stone started a landscaping business and drove a limo for a few months, even chauffeuring rappers like Ludacris.
• 🎤 He eventually pursued his long-held desire to do stand-up comedy.
• 📜 Although his record was supposed to be expunged after probation, it has continued to appear on background checks, affecting his ability to buy firearms and rent apartments.

The Lake Arrowhead Cabin Fire

• 💔 Following his father's unexpected death, Stone stayed alone at his girlfriend's father's cabin in Lake Arrowhead, California.
• 🍖 On his birthday, his girlfriend brought him a new barbecue smoker.
• 🔥 After smoking a pork roast, Stone left the coals in the smoker, believing them to be cool to the touch after 16 hours.
• 🏠 The next morning, the cabin was found to be on fire and burned to the ground, with investigators attributing it to the smoker.
• 🤔 Stone suspects the fire may have been coincidental or even arson, noting the owner's unusually calm reaction.