The Twisting Case of Lt Joe Gliniewicz

Lt. Joseph Gliniewicz was an all-American hero cop. Beloved in the community, leader of the explorer program, and had a long list of commendations. As he neared retirement, he went out on a suspicious call and never returned. A massive manhunt began, uncovering no suspects, but a lot about Gliniewicz, who was not the cop people thought he was.
Patreon► / thatchapter
Twitter► / that_chapter
Instagram► / that_chapter
Merch►teespring.com/stores/that-cha...
Sources►pastebin.com/SCEirF0j
Music►
• Music from That Chapter

[@j.m.5744]

I was a cop for 8 years in a major city. When Mike first described the scenario my first thought was this is a suicide.

[@aprilpuglia7967]

Just wanna say that you are VERY handsome!

[@xaviercristina]

I was very surprised, and understood why everybody in the city thought it was a homicide without knowing about his corrupted side. What a waste of time and money!

[@jsteiner93]

you really don't have to be a cop to know that something wasn't right here; it was pretty clear from the beginning lmao

[@charleslennonbaker]

I thought cowardice.

[@kelseykerby4506]

🥓🐖

[@187mrsmith]

Who else randomly came across this channel 1 day an now can't stop watching his videos!

[@ThatChapter]

Means a lot that youre still here!

[@aak8297]

Me, but few years back :D

[@187mrsmith]

@@ThatChapter I appreciate it mate 🙏 👍 🙌 💙 Your story telling is Phenomenal + it relaxes me while engaging my intrest an Curiosity! You always do the story Justice while bringing new light to it!

[@CherieTalksTunes]

Yes. I found his channel the beginning of last year & the binge begin lol 😆

[@Amanda-bt1ur]

@@ThatChapter I been here since day one of the aluminum alien hat ! Your the best Mike 👌🏽

[@nancybeveridgetaylor3256]

Having worked max sec, there are deeply corrupt people working in both corrections and police. One of my brothers was a cop, he has stories, he transferred after 10 years as cop he went back to school and became a meteorologist. He is much happier now, reporting weather for a local airport/community.

[@lorieaton2487]

I did the same thing🥰

[@Ze_Moose]

Talk about a "shift in wind." 😂

[@Adam-ox6zy]

My brother was a cop in a small town in south Australia, and he had a run in with a colleague because his colleague was up to no good, but my brother got pushed out of the Dept and town. Turns out that that cop was a peado! He was protected by the dept and town, and my brother was scape goated. Let the force after a few more years.

[@seancompton5393]

Lesson be careful who you put on a pedestal

[@hootax8980]

Now he'll find out about corruption in the weather department

[@TheCurlyclub]

Joe’s wife Melodie was recently sentenced to 24 months probation. She still maintains her innocence in-spite of evidence to the contrary.

[@whichgodofthousandsmeansno5306]

@@williamsullivan3967 It wasn't one of Trumps.

[@spazzypengin]

@@whichgodofthousandsmeansno5306 Rent free

[@celebrity292]

Even better if she took a deal. I'm not guilty but I took a plea.

[@jamesgilbert124]

On the list of Red Flags about this guy, that Thin Blue Line punisher skull profile picture is right up there at the top.

[@Wylde483]

Yup, soon as I saw it I got suspicious

[@rhapsody98]

As the daughter of a cop, and former dispatcher, I was completely unsurprised that he wasn't the good upstanding member of the community that he seemed to be. But threatening to murder a dispatcher is beyond what I was expecting.

[@bresams2917]

👀 please tell us More My dear ☕

[@fokinmohena]

It sounds like you got stories… do tell :) same shit different day with corruption in the police force. The whole system is fucked

[@dtfonmyballs8752]

City administrator

[@DottieMinerva]

I’m also the daughter of a retired cop and a former dispatcher!

[@rochellenowik9875]

As a former dispatcher I am not at all surprised by the behavior of law enforcement. It is a very fine line between crook and cop...too many temptations with so much ego. Many are just so proud of themselves to be able to carry a gun and boss people around.

[@darienbrewer8317]

The thing that stands out to me the most is the fact that he was able to rise through the ranks with his tainted background. It shouldn't have been possible when they were putting all of those terrible details into his employee file. Then the agency makes him out to be a hero (lying to the public) initially so that they can just tear down his character later to save face? That's very odd behavior. This man was never supposed to obtain the rank of lieutenant. I wouldn't be surprised if his department knew what he was doing all along and turned a blind eye to it because of his long service with the department.

[@hitleractually8180]

You'd be surprised. My old department had a guy who was sexually harassing just about every female employee in the department. He was sending them dick pics, saying foul things to them on the sly. Guy was a real scumbag. He was boys with some of the higher ups, so they kept promoting him and promoting him all the way to Lt. Finally, he groped one of his female officers by her vagina and she reported the incident. He was suspended, terminated, and criminally charged. The department acted like they didn't know he had been doing this shit for years, even though he had been suspended in past for doing the same shit. The real reason they fired him and took such a hard stance this particular time was, a few of the female employees who had been harassed/assaulted by this guy and reported it to no end, banded together and sued the department. They won a multi-million dollar suit. To mitigate the damages, I believe the department fired him so it looked better for them in the impending suit. They lost their ass anyway. This stuff happens at EVERY department.

[@piratemousie]

It said the chief was in on it, thats why they all wrote the letter to the mayor. Also, I noticed the guy talking about the betrayal of the department ect was an Interim Chief, which happens when someone is quickly kicked out of a job, most probably with a quiet golden handshake to keep all the rest of the corruption quite, draw a line in the sand ect, get a new young face in, then have elections or whatever. I dunno if chiefs are elected like sheriffs are, but yeah, something like that.

[@rogerszmodis]

Was this video the first time you found out all cops are corrupt sacks of shit?

[@nonnyena4267]

Its interesting to me how many LEO-types refer to these _"few bad apples."_ Just totally ignoring the *warning* part of the axiom, which makes up _most_ of it: _"A few bad apples _*_will spoil the whole barrel."_*

[@welcometothemovies9157]

Not just the department. The mayor too

[@nicwelch]

This is why it is so important for the truly good cops to call out the bad ones.

[@pippadawg7037]

Wait, people in authority can fake crimes and incidents? Why, if they can do that, they can scare us sheep into wars, bad laws, and just about anything else.

[@sararomero7090]

At first I felt sorry for his wife, thinking she was in denial and didn’t want to believe her husband was a scumbag. Then it turns out she was in on the whole thing…. 🙄

[@jerryawesom5928]

Hi Honey. Please don't text me about crime. See you tonight and we can talk.

[@bakeddulce5451]

generation why did an episode about him, they went into a little more detail about how crazy he was. How he planned out for the wife to get a pay out from his death. How other cops knew he wanted the supervisor dead because he ranted to a lot of ppl. Of course, nothing was done.

[@JohnDoe-gy5dr]

She married a cop. What do you expect?

[@annihilatedbutcomingback1119]

Thought the same too, wonder of she knew he was going to off himself and stage it 🤔🤔

[@andyanderson5637]

If your married to a crooked cop your either in on it or buried in the woods if he thinks your leaving.

[@eldo7304]

Some of the explorers came out to say that the way he was found, including the pursuit of 3 men, was almost identical to a scenario they had practiced as part of their training. Another great video, Mike!

[@Meekmillan]

lul

[@KaladinVegapunk]

I'm really confused.. he already posted this a few weeks ago..? Corrupt cop, fakes death, GI Joe. He already covered this story, why is it reposted haha? Im not familiar with the case at all but remember the episode, comes out hes corrupt, defaced signs, etc etc It's tripping me out, if he had to repost I don't think he'd do it on the release day I don't watch other true crime channels either

[@kimmoran4437]

@@KaladinVegapunk Maybe you saw it on his Patreon? I didn't see it here recently.

[@Todesschleicher]

@@KaladinVegapunk maybe he screwed up his schedule, released it and deleted it?

[@kevinouellette5316]

@@KaladinVegapunk I don't see the video you're talking about on his KZbin channel. You use his Patreon?

[@jacobburnette7008]

I actually live very close to Fox Lake, and remember when this was going on. I worked at a convenient store at the time when Joe was found dead, and I remember when every cop that stopped by on their way to join the manhunt to find his "murderers." Everyone in the area found his death suspicious and it was wild when the truth unfolded. It's crazy knowing things happened like that so close to home

[@nmartin5551]

I really question how many of his fellow police officers didn’t know the dirty underbelly. It’s sadly not as rare as we’d like to believe.

[@iamV10010]

I love how that old lady was like "I think this is a big conspiracy!" Yeah, grandma. There was. It was the cop. Hello.

[@McSnezzly]

Boomers are pro cop cause they need to justify their innate racism and twisted authoritarianism

[@eadweard.]

You sure dunked on that rando old lady.

[@eadweard.]

@@McSnezzly Fervid ideological babble.

[@iamV10010]

@@eadweard. K

[@ticketyboo2456]

@@McSnezzly You are a bigot.

[@cjb2749]

The real tragedy is that he had kids in that small community who were left to face the backlash and the judgement while coping with the loss of their father

[@boogityhoo7452]

They shouldn't have to deal with any backlash as they were not involved, excluding the one who was asked to loan his father money to pay back what he stole but even still he might not have legitimately known what was going on. Sadly ppl don't care about any of that, if they are related then they are responsible in so many ppls screwed up way of thinking.

[@lizh4933]

One of his kids was apparently a dollar sucker. Daddy even arranged a marriage for him so he could collect married officers pay while in the army. There is a great podcast on this whole mess. Hunt it down.

[@mikemo1993]

@@boogityhoo7452 you’re right, they weren’t responsible for partaking in his shady behavior. But they benefitted from it, directly or indirectly in some ways - and, worse, just by being related to the scumbag means they would be viewed in a negative way. Especially in a small-town, the mob-mentally would be easy to go along with and just shame the whole family. Sad to know the biggest victims of his scandal are the ones closest to him.

[@bresams2917]

Right! What a COWARD! I'd rather Man Up about my mistakes than leave my kid's out here to face consequences like Bullying! Smh

[@mik55tv22]

They were in on it and enjoying the stolen money

[@ChiTwnLink]

I totally remember when this happened. It was all over the news for a long time. When the truth came out about him, it really turned things upside down. I love when Mike does stories close to home. Man, I’m hooked on this channel. Thanks Mike!! Much love from Chicago

[@truesoulghost2777]

Whoop whoop

[@alisong2328]

I also live in the Chicago area, but I don't really remember this murder. Maybe that's because there are so many murders in Chicago.

[@elizabethgmedina1979]

I had to watch this!! I live in lakemoor right next to Fox lake and the police searched my backyard the night the the 3 "killers". But my husband and I called it immediately. The whole thing was so suspicious.

[@missssophisicated6742]

What made u guys so suspicious?

[@josephfoster1583]

You can just listen to this without watching because Mike is so animated. What an amazing job!

[@ThatChapter]

Means a lot to hear that Joseph, thank you!

[@goochmcduck4285]

And you already know what kind of shirt Mike will be wearing

[@Professionalasshole]

@@ThatChapter Mike, I have to admit, you are one VERY handsome man! Your eye's, sense of humor and the way you tell a story is great! I hope you have a lucky lady! 😍

[@earthwormman9814]

I usually only listen videos first time. Then later i have still new video to see. And i enjoy both times.

[@b4ubcomeold]

TRuth! I've tried! I'm always afraid I'll miss the Insurance Dance and I will beat down a door, knock over a baby and an old lady to be sure and see the ending..... *BECAUSE I LOVE YA* . *"Wink, Mike Out!"*

[@QueenOfTheNorth65]

I live about an hour away from where this happened. Trust me; you’ve never seen anyone go from HERO to ZERO so fast! The people who initially mourned his “murder” were furious to learn that they had been duped. Great job as usual, Mike! ❤️

[@lizh4933]

Betrayal of trust in any situation is very painful.

[@GingerPlease]

Yeah I grew up where he was born and live like 20 minutes away from Fox Lake and yeah seeing all the responses from the community and how shaken everyone was... it was wild

[@pelicanine]

I would be too! I can't imagine how his wife felt through this, I feel so awful for her

[@cherijoseph7819]

@@pelicanine Why? She knew.

[@pelicanine]

@@cherijoseph7819 oh, I don't know, maybe because her husband of 26yrs is dead regardless of how?

[@erinthesystem9608]

Thank you, Mike, for sharing some of the document listing matters of complaint against "Lt. Joe": The apparent theft or misuse of a tattoo certificate which had been gifted to the department, redeemed by Gliniewicz while on duty, with the time being somehow billed as part of the Explorer program (if I understood that part correctly), certainly was a colorful bundle of misconduct! That incident itself was worth the pausing it took me to read those individual items.

[@myth2005]

Melodie Gliniewicz, the widow of disgraced Fox Lake Police Lt. Joe Gliniewicz, was sentenced to 18 to 24 months' probation Tuesday after pleading guilty in February to a felony charge of deceptive practices, connected to her late husband's financial misdeeds, avoiding a trial on more serious charges.

[@holographer]

I would like to bring special attention to the complaint that alleges that the officer "somehow obtained control over a certificate for a free tattoo that was donated to the department" and then, while on duty, went and got tatted up. Truly Michael Scott levels of workplace misconduct!

[@Lookup2Wakeup]

Also he used his squad car to go on vacation.......😁👍

[@boogityhoo7452]

I feel like the fa t he stole thousands of dollars meant to teach young kids how to be a police officer and so forth is a bit more messed up than just stealing a free tattoo gift.

[@OfficialDjTalksick]

@@boogityhoo7452 you’re not wrong but just shows how dumb and low a person would go do the original comment is still relevant

[@cw2497]

And I'm sure everyone turned a blind eye and gave him an excuse.

[@phoenixdavida8987]

😂 so ridiculous! ahhh

[@pandemonium5557]

Back when I was in High school a girl had a sexual relationship with our school cop. He was very loved in the community and his WIFE and children were well known, they always were involved with the community. He was busted having relations with her in school and of course he was fired as a cop, divorced but people had a hard time believing he was a bad person. It still amazes me.

[@shitneyb5562]

Sounds like every male gym teacher ever

[@Tracy-hm3yi]

@@shitneyb5562 ours was the football coach/math teacher 😂

[@dorsebradford9844]

I had a pastor that was apart of naacp and he didn’t work his wife was a nurse and his son is autistic. He was having all kinds of Adair’s but one of girls in the church called him out during one of his services and people still gave him money after his wife divorced him he still was getting donations even though he was never religious he just used the church

[@rubyoro0]

@@dorsebradford9844 What a scene that must have been. Like watching a soap.

[@paddlefaster]

@@shitneyb5562 I was just going to say that. Mr MacLean at my high school had quite the thing for young girls. Sick bastard

[@ZiggySaySwagTwoTime]

I’m literally going through the toughest time in my life. And let me say, Mike, you are amazing. Your show brings me a sense of calm and reality. Not saying in no way shape or form that murder makes me calm but your voice and editing skills are on 1000000000. Thank you for calming me on a daily basis.

[@nancybeveridgetaylor3256]

Hey, bless you, life can be difficult sometimes. I hope things improve.

[@PolySpikeAndWave]

I hope things get better for you 🤗

[@darrickmalloy6909]

Keep praying. You can do it I know you can.

[@mongolikechewchew2475]

Keep your head up! Don't hold things inside,talk to those you trust in your family or friends! Talk to a Priest or a cop or some stranger! There's help out there! God Bless you!

[@EZ-D-FIANT]

I've lost a son, a mum, a business, my health and my last two friends in the last two years alone. I watched my dad died Infront of me at 12 and ran away from my mum at 15, I'm 36 now and it's been painful, I want to die so much, I'm psychotic and constantly self harming but that's just to feel, I can't die as much as life is painful because their are people it would hurt and I simply can't hurt another after the pain I've felt, so I push on and suffer silently! I think of the Jews or the woman in Harlem or any other persecuted person in history and feel like maybe I haven't got it so bad, I try to anyway, I hope that helps dilute your pain........

[@elvisneedsboats3714]

I lived not too far away when this happened. Although they did not publicly say it at the beginning, there were hints/rumors coming out that it was suicide. Also, it seems like Joe may have seen 2 dudes in the area and he described them to dispatch. As soon as they located and cleared those 2, the public skepticism (outside of Fox Lake) grew. Wonder why he didn’t just make something up instead of using real, although innocent, people. Lucky for those two they were apparently believable but I bet they were really scared for a while.

[@gtw4546]

I feel sorry for all the kids that went through that Explorers program. It really plays with your mind when someone you like/respect turns out to be someone you shouldn't trust. It's especially hard when it happens in your formative years.

[@agoo7581]

And the parents putting their kids through the explorers program are abusers for sending them through cop indoctrination school.

[@travisgartside409]

Never meet your heroes!

[@scotsman6712]

@@agoo7581 dumbest comment today! you win!!

[@Tracymmo]

@@scotsman6712 Dumbest comment? Did you not see that footage? Thst wasn't teaching kids to be LEOs, it was GI Joe teaching kids to play war games with equipment from the DOD surplus program. What they were being taught was in no was appropriate for kids, or for policing a village of 10,000 people.

[@hateexmachina]

@@Tracymmo This. My first thoughts seeing that training footage was that it looked more like some kind of backyard militia training, kids in combat fatigues waving AR-15's around and yelling. It's kind of scary to think that's the impression of police work they were presenting to impressionable kids.

[@l0-r3z43]

The suspects were never found, because those "tree men" were hiding in the forest.

[@karmakameleon113]

You couldn't resist, could you? 😆😆 I just had a proper belly laugh, thanks!

[@coryjohnson2486]

😂😂😂

[@wolverine9632]

Hiding in plain sight, the toughest hiding spot.

[@phantom0456]

Only Mike knows or is able to tell us, the general public, about the “tree men.”

[@berrygyrl4134]

Well played friend, well played 👏

[@greywolf2270]

As a retired Soldier, I instantly recognized ‘GI Jokes’ D-bag signature moves, like wearing his veteran status as a badge of honor; donning ACUs during training exercises ; wearing Airborne and Air Assault badges on civilianized ACU uniform; ‘Ranger rolling’ patrol cap; Air Assault tattoo. What a joke…

[@cynthiajelsema968]

I watch a lot of investigation discovery and forensic files. I remember this story and a couple more I've watched of Mike's. What I like about Mike, is he explains these cases in half of the time the networks do. Because they are busy looking for actors to play G. I. Joe. Plus Mike puts his own spin on it!

[@Kari.F.]

"Lake shaped foxes." That's our Mike! 😂👍👏

[@SarahSmith-mu1wc]

"Was he though???" 😂😂😂😂 You always know someone's been bamboozled whenever Mike utters these words. 😉

[@jackduburg2559]

This all happened in my backyard. I was home that day due to an injury I sustained on the job. Having police up and down my dead-end street and having 6 helicopters over my house was wild.

[@jayhenderson2683]

This is unbelievable. A civil worker doing her job right. Applause.

[@cuppabeetea7301]

I remember this case very well. An older friend of mine (I'll call her Ethel), who was as 82 or 83 at the time, said after only about five minutes of watching the live news coverage while we talked, she knew something was off. Ethel immediately said, "Something isn't right. Mark my word. There is going to be a weird twist." I guess if we all live that long, well have Spidey senses, too, like Ethel!

[@MikeMichaels1987]

maybe they got rid of him, clean up his mess

[@tintinismybelgian]

@@MikeMichaels1987 Can you elaborate on this theory?

[@047Kenny]

My parents said 2 days after the case this suicide because the coverage was national one day, and seemingly swept under the rug the next

[@bulldogmomx2901]

I thought Mike was going to tell us that Lt. Dan liked little boys or liked to dress in women’s lingerie! 👿

[@thnksno]

I never lived in Fox Lake, but I'm from the area. I too knew it was BS from the get go. This was compounded by the media coverage nationally and locally. I wasn't shocked when the truth started seeping out.

[@tharinaputter8936]

‘Hunk of badass’... not even a minute in and Mike has already made my day!

[@cariparkerr1_girl369]

I watched someone reacting to this channel last year so I followed his link to the original video and found Mike. Oh man. I can’t stop watching. I’ve gotten 3 or 4 of my True Crime lovers hooked as well. I wait excitedly for every new video. I think I might just need an intervention...

[@lapetitemoma]

This guy is a model for my ex-husband. Only he was a serial rapist. Everyone loved him but a few new him for who he really was. By the way he was a massage therapist, but before he was going to be charged for sexual assault he conveniently died accidently with a shot gun to the face. The woman who was gonna press charges had a nervous breakdown, cause she told him she had taped the session she had with him that day. I had divorced him 10 years earlier. Karma has a way of biting you in the butt.

[@mazzymae1009]

So grateful I've never had that burning want for money and I don't envy those who do. Thanks for another great story, Mike.

[@poppaganja3793]

"Jews"

[@SupremeCommanderBaiser]

@@poppaganja3793 MLM scamers.

[@ImpossibleMusic69]

@@poppaganja3793 get help man. Whole lots of nasty things you can say about any race. This is a tragic story, not the time or place. Get help and meds

[@Tracymmo]

@@poppaganja3793 Didn't you just get arrested in Texas?

[@poppaganja3793]

@@ImpossibleMusic69 i didn't say nothing racist might wana go back and read my comment and I didn't disrespect Noone or no race

[@bobdobalina2931]

His family was probably due a big payout if he was killed in the line of duty, which may have influenced him in staging a crime scene. Excellent video as always, many thanks.

[@tosspot1305]

This is extremely plausible

[@McSnezzly]

Yepp and the other shitty cops helped cover up for a brother in blue

[@creationsmisfit]

That's exactly it. And nearly everyone in town had a huge fundraiser for her after he died as well. So much money raised and just handed over to her.

[@raeraesmellers]

And if he was removed from the post due to fraud, his family might not have had his pension or survivors benefits, so he faked it

[@tonypeppermint5329]

Yeah.

[@lisahinton9682]

You are such a good story-teller, Mike! I sure didn't see that coming! Thank you for another great video, Bud!

[@shedaisy1979]

We love you, Mike! Thanks for being one of the absolute, best storytellers on KZbin ❤

[@pylbetajv]

At least he ended up only taking his own life rather than the town administrator's.

[@ContactsNfilters]

And/or the dispatcher.

[@longlivethesheet4561]

Holy shit, I remember this guy. I was in high school when this went down, and we were warned against walking alone on the sidewalk back home before the actual truth behind his death was revealed

[@ironox8480]

Grant?

[@Franny_the_Fisher]

I was working in fox ridge when this happened, I’ll never forget this time, but I also remember once the name got out, someone had said he prolly did it himself, how bad of a person he was, got eaten alive on Facebook by hundreds of people, weeks later he was laughing

[@mrf19741]

I just recently rewatched the American Greed episode on this story. Thanks for your spin on it!

[@MilesWilliams88]

Mike my dude, would you look into doing a video on Michael Schallert? He committed a double murder in West Frankfort Illinois in 2009. My sister actually dated him for a brief time about 5 years before that. He was at my house many times. He was honestly always a super nice guy when I knew him, but apparently he got addicted to meth after that, and killed two women. He ran to Colorado where they eventually caught him. It's an interesting case.

[@foxorian]

the clips of the people who continue to think it wasn't a suicide and that Joe was setup through department corruption is the weirdest part of this whole story

[@toast3591]

Right! “It was a hoax!” You are right lady, it was a hoax a hoax named joe

[@lickificki]

Looks more like a military cosplay than a police experience lol

[@soundonsound71]

I randomly came across this channel...1 year later, I'm still here! I almost have watched every video. So sometimes have to wait!? What a world, lol. Fantastic storyteller. Great for a while at work, you can look or not, and you still get all the visuals!

[@gamebred5662]

Kinda like the cop in my small town. Everyone loved him, until young girls started coming forward that he was inappropriately texting them and even molesting and blackmailing them. He was so loved that his ex wife was literally run out of town when she came out before all the allegations saying he was child predator and not someone who should be a police officer. He resigned an is now a cop in the next town over, but is under multiple investigations and an the truth is starting to come out more an more.

[@BalboaBaggins]

Women having terrible taste in men, what else is new.

[@lauriewilson4741]

Hope he’s not preying on children.

[@cvgodd1432]

I know about a cop who sold OC 80s in a high school he worked in. All he got was a promotion in the next town lol. It was a complete joke! This city is known to be corrupt though, especially the police department. I actually got beat up in the same city by some roid head cop. I was like 18 and skinny af while cuffed and he’s hitting me for no reason. Idk why the FBI hasn’t shut them down.

[@laurapalmer2126]

It’s the way this is titled “The Twisted Case” and I STILL didn’t see that twist coming. Excellent storytelling as always!

[@Bassmasterwitacaster]

I want to see your heart

[@YoungBrada]

Lt. Crackhead

[@tommymorgan4677]

I think it`s hard to miss.

[@xfatalxflawx]

It's as obvious as it gets, by a long shot. It's an age old story told so many times that I'm surprised when a police officer isn't a a criminal, liar, and general scumbag.

[@johnnyblazem5326]

my dead and blind grandma seen the "twist" coming

[@christinarusso8303]

I moved to Island Lake, a town away from Fox Lake, after a Cook County police station refused to charge or arrest the woman who killed my sister with her car. I loved the Lakes, spent hours of my life partying on Fox Lake, had my 21st bday at Blarney’s Island. But after watching this, it only justifies my moving across the country in 2011. And eff Libertyville too, talk about corrupt cops and just generally snobby people. Sorry, I clearly have a bias 😬Regardless, GREAT video as always - how you can make me laugh and cry at the same time is a gift ❤️

[@Syclone0044]

22:06 I’m so impressed with whoever stylized that handwritten sign in the window!

[@m31sprincesa62]

Not me cracking my ass up at “THE LAKE SHAPE KIND!” 😂😂😂 I am so grateful for this channel ❤️❤️🙌🏽

[@KittieKatGrl]

No fucking way!!! This is from my hometown, I remember this story so well from when I was in highschool!! My friends & I were all nervous walking around town when we thought there were people on the run who shot him before we found out the truth! I thought about suggesting this one, nice job! I can't wait to watch this video!

[@Mistertbones]

This is the only true crime channel that I watch. Mike does a good job, and doesn't insert any agenda.

[@SmokeRingsPipeDreams]

The real scandal here is that the police dept didn't weed this creep out long before.

[@Conkinhonker]

This was in my hometown, it was such a crazy case and a shock to us all. Love to see you covering this!

[@morticiax540]

omg same hometown

[@julezmmm]

I’m just a few towns from you guys too. Remember how much chaos this brought?

[@ChicagosSinfulSwede]

Yeah this was a crazy wild story, I remember all of the extensive news coverage from this and always wondered what happened with his wife. Turns out to be nothing thusfar...what I do know is that we live in one of thee most corrupt States in the Nation - so there's that. I've been trying to get behind the badge but sometimes feel like wtf for..way to many stories n horrific crimes commited by the boys in blue that are actually far worse than what they 'harass' an average civilian for. The same ones that pull people over for going 5 over the limit, are the exact same ones that are doing all sorts of sinister shiitt in the dark. Can't trust a dam soul nowadays...not a single one.

[@BB-pg5kl]

@@ChicagosSinfulSwede you're talking about such a small percentage. I'd be more focused on all the shootings, murders, and violent carjackings plaguing Chicagoland area right now. Kim Foxx and the other libs with their catch and release program of violent criminals is pathetic.

[@creationsmisfit]

Same. Go Bulldogs

[@treeteresa2260]

thank you so much, Mike. my beloved 15. year old pupper passed a few days ago. I bottle fed her since birth. Lucy was my world and not a lot takes my mind off everything. you and your channel has been excellent in helping me get through this time. thank you, I love ya. see ya next time

[@jillniemczynski5517]

Teresa I'm so sorry for your loss of Lucy. I've been through the same thing many, many times. I totally understand how you feel. Lucy knows you love her, & she will be with you always. You will see her again. Take care & God bless. 😢💔🙏💪🕊️🕯️✌️💙💐

[@loiscassels8966]

I’m sorry for your loss❤️🇨🇦

[@proudmen1220]

An animal?

[@Rebecca-fg7pp]

Sorry for your loss. I lost my little pup of 16 yrs. last December. I know it hurts but I have no doubt she loved you and knew that she was loved. She'll always be with you. I hope your heart heals soon.

[@ryanramsey9621]

Dogs are such special animals that have been our buddies and protectors for thousands of years. It is very sad to lose our special friends and I certainly wish dogs had a longer life. My brother had to put his black labradoodle Max after 13 amazing years. It was very sad bc Max was really amazing when our Dad suddenly died. Max missed Dad too. But Max never had a bad day and was treated like the special boy he was. My brother was not going to get another dog but after a few months he said it sucked not having a dog so he found a Goldendoodle pup and named him Winston. The two could not have more different personalities but they are both caring sweet doggos. Sorry you lost your best friend. Dogs really do improve our human lives.

[@aaronp9835]

I actually knew this growing up when I lived in Fox Lake. He was always on edge. This whole thing happened 2 miles from my old house

[@Jason-un9ps]

I’m sure he wasn’t the only one stealing, but his death sure gave them the perfect scapegoat, huh?

[@tembymkatshane6322]

Ever since I discovered Mike I haven’t missed a single episode. Mad love all the way from South Africa 🇿🇦

[@daniellebreaux5195]

Same!

[@wilmalensink9278]

Same here 💘

[@stephanpot]

Same here.... And also from South-Africa !!!!

[@tamsenvanaswegen6172]

Same here!

[@SoullessGinger1313]

The new village administrator is trying to control (or administrate) everything in the village (the government funded programs at least, including the police Explorers) because that's her job. He's talking about framing her for felonies for doing her job.

[@bsqwahlE]

Yeah, turns out Joe was a horrible person, with an equally awful wife. Hopefully the Admin will look into how much the fake manhunt cost.

[@dianesaienni5466]

Unbelievable!! After that memo he should have been at the least put on unpaid leave until being fired. Got to wonder did his wife get his pension...or hum...life insurance?

[@go-awayyy123]

thanks cpt Obvious.

[@PFBM86]

I just can't believe that a police officer would do such a thing !!!!!

[@farhan007]

@@PFBM86 They would never!

[@Lar308]

In my 31 years as an Irish cop I never personally saw a case as bad as this but I saw many where cops were bullying, intimidating and generally making life miserable for other cops they did not like. Usually nothing was ever done as at that time there was no mechanism for making complaints and you were just regarded as a crank if you did. Even if something serious was reported the alleged offenders were allowed to retire on full pension before the investigation was even commenced or concluded so I never saw anybody made accountable.

[@katiekk]

I like that you address just me in your intro. Others who say “hi everyone “ I look around and there’s no one else.

[@Redrum101896]

I did the Explorer program in New York when I was a teen. I am in my 40's now. The detective that was supposed to be our leader used us to cover for his many affairs. Even his own daughter (she was in the program and he was married to her mother during that time period.). He used the program's money to buy gifts for his many girlfriends. I got to see how dirty cops could be and I ended up quitting after 3 years. The boys in the program started to behave like him. There was a lot of sexual harassment. With that being said there are some really good cops out there, but I saw way too many being horrible and hiding behind the badge. I gave up my dream of being a police officer after that. I respect the good ones, but the horrible ones are trash.

[@WouldntULikeToKnow.]

If the good ones stay silent when they know what the bad ones are doing they are just as bad.

[@nothingleft2lose-]

Pp OO

[@tundevirag755]

Hey! What do you do now for a living? I wish the police force would be less corrupt :(

[@shaemas1537]

Hi there. I live in NW lower Michigan between Elk and Torch lakes. I read your comment. Sad that the bad ones brought your dream to an end. Hope you are well

[@charlieevergreen3514]

“The boys in the program started behaving like him.” Oh, man. That’s the worst. It’s the way this stuff keeps being perpetuated and hidden. We are all driven by both good and bad motivations, and we can’t expect anything to get better if the bad motives go unchecked and even encouraged. Just mentioning this helps, Mari Mar, because today, someone might double-check their own Explorer program, or Scout troop, or whatever.

[@turqoiseillinois9955]

I love how Mike tells us the weather. Every. Single. Time. It's just great.

[@aaaaaaaaa8886]

I tell people I’m a couch potato… I don’t even own a couch. I’m just a bed potato

[@I_Ace_U]

Someone mentioned you in the Coffeehouse Crime comments, and I'm so glad they did!

[@cackalackaboi9737]

Damn , forgot what day it was. Let’s give it a gooo, now that I know. Cheers to you Mike and to all my That Chapter brethren!!!

[@ThatChapter]

Cheers!

[@mznicky122007]

Imagine being 3 friends hanging out at the wrong place at the wrong time and all of a sudden you're being arrested and charged as a cop killer...... or worst getting murdered from some crime you didn't commit SMH

[@strfltcmnd.9925]

happens more often than we hear about.

[@charlesjames1464]

Joe was making sure his widow and children get some more money they don't qualify for 👏.

[@erinthesystem9608]

@@charlesjames1464 THANK YOU. And the original commentor here. People like Joe's wife tend to see their crimes- crimes like misallocation of funds- as victimless. (I really think there is some cluelessness still: that made-up Black perpetrators won't result in real-life Black men being impacted, arrested.) Real harm is done by their dishonesty. When money is misspent, and when manner of death is left an open question, other people can easily become victims, whether by the false accusations and/or a bad-faith insinuation, or by having funds wasted on situations which don't fit the criterium for which they were created. No matter if your victims are unseen or unintended, or if your crimes were financial, they still have the capacity to change, ruin, or even bring an end to the lives of other people. Recognizing that these crimes victimize other, probably unknown individuals, however- truly comprehending the potential harm done- demands some amount of caring about people who are outside one's own little circle of immediate self-interest. 😔The last, sickening bit of this was discovering that Joe's [self-righteous] family apparently shares his values.

[@mrianwonder6527]

That is everyone in prison and everyone killed by pigs.

[@worldview6218]

Yeah I mean, when a cop gets shot at, or killed , the police tend to get about 100 or more people and go on a rampage turning someone into Swiss cheese. I mean yeah, I’m not gonna act like they just go merking random people and usually it is the result of an actual cop killer being tracked down and just absolutely obliterated by police…but in a situation like this where it was a false report and suicide, you could easily think of a scenario where 3 random people who happened to fit the same demographic joe put out just going about their day being merked.

[@davidripley2916]

Thank you, Mike. You're the Coolest storyteller on YT. LOVE your accent for a start, and your delivery is magnetic, my man! The spotlight you shine on the wrongdoers is blinding! I'm a fan for life now. Would love to meet and swap cultural yarns to add to the rich tapestry of craziness that seems to be the norm hereabouts. Thanks for being you❕👑👍

[@mirrab3750]

I intentionally take breaks from your channel so I can go back and watch, been with you since before a million. Thanks for all you do !

[@Ender7j]

I can’t believe there wasn’t any life insurance involved…

[@gomahklawm4446]

Pice usually have it, he most likely did. It doesn't cover suicide however....another reason for the staging of events...

[@GastedFlabber]

The mix of our love for true crime, and how fun you are to watch, is the perfect combination!!!

[@katgrey6239]

So much information about this guy. I guess he couldn't take the final outcome to his life's story. Great video, Mike!😘

[@christinapoisson1501]

Wow! This one was a great story! Love it! I love all your videos!! Thank you for making my day a little bit better!

[@briankennedy7040]

I live in the town next to fox lake . This guy GI Joe used to be found drunk passed out in his camo truck .....all the time

[@TheAbomb]

One thing stood out to me, he was reprimanded for not handing out enough traffic citations, only half as much as others.thats total bs! Not the reprimanded part but.....

[@Drforce2311]

The real problem is giving someone a blank checkbook with no oversight for years. That welcomes abuse and it usually ends bad.

[@tomford7463]

Thanks Mike for these stories!

[@rhondaturner2254]

You have absolutely RUINED me for the boring monotony of the everyday storyteller. THANK YOU Mike, take care!

[@maycasper2661]

It honestly never gets better either.

[@icaanul]

Mr Ballen is the master of "story telling" but to call this channel "story telling" is not really accurate. This has some details told but for the most part it is reading a laundry list of facts.

[@999tj6]

@@icaanul Mikes came a long way from where he started, in a rather short period of time as well. They both have their own styles, but we love them both equally. 🤘🏻

[@deniscarroll8558]

Word! Between the robots, ppl with speech impediments (not shaming it’s just a weird choice), folks w/Scottish accents who drag every last word of a sentence etc Mike is a breath of fresh air

[@rudolphsteiner6797]

@@icaanul He is good at presenting facts in an entertaining and engaging way.

[@MF-Dog-Mom]

Came for the true crime, stayed for the unparalleled lake-related humor! 🤣🤣🤣 Love ya Mike! Thanks for always giving us the best videos! I’m always here to give it a goo!!

[@kihmjones6782]

Good story Mike!! When are you going to Hollywood to make longer versions of your tales? You have incredible talent!! Keep up the great work!!! ❤️

[@kimuralove1096]

You are absolutely darling. Keep givin' it a go, we'll keep watching!

[@amatteroftimeisuppose8900]

I spend alot of time in the chain area, mostly Antioch. I worked with a guy who was in the explorer progran and new joe personally. It was crazy when all of that shit happened. Once rumors started about suicide and his crimes, all of the support and stickers and posters vanished practically overnight.

[@tcnshr]

I’m from the area too. I got to do some work with Lt Joe in lake county. Crazy case some of my friends still think there’s more to this story.

[@amatteroftimeisuppose8900]

@@tcnshr i remember alot of people were saying he was the fall guy for something bigger.

[@cuppabeetea7301]

@@amatteroftimeisuppose8900 Also originally from the area with family still there. It would not surprise me one bit if there were a lot more to the story, but this is what is officially known.

[@Kay-st8fk]

Omg yes, I remember driving home near the area, and all over people were making posters and had them out, on fb people had shirts made, restaurants were sending free food to the officers while on the search, the community was just like really trying to make it better, then like the next day everyone was so embarrassed for showing empathy and being tricked.. felt so sad seeing it all unfold.

[@annadean387]

Stealing money is one thing. The fact that he was willing for potentially innocent people to go to jail to cover up his crimes is despicable.

[@zarasbazaar]

And willing to murder the person who was uncovering his embezzlement.

[@McSnezzly]

Well and he was a rapist

[@annadean387]

@@McSnezzly uhhhhh was that in the video? I heard the sexual harassment and having affairs with coworkers bit but I definitely missed that part. Not doubting you or anything.

[@cementer7665]

That is how the badge wearing COWARDS are 'trained', to choose a person at random to intimidate, terrorize and arrest.

[@PANDAFACEEYES]

That's what police do. They are the definition of wolves in sheeps' clothing

[@Emira_75]

I love how sarcastic and facetious Mike is about this boring little town at the start 😂

[@Teresia12]

My husband made it through two tours in Vietnam and retired from the Air Force after 20 years. He went on to become a Sheriff Deputy in our community. One month before he was to retire from there he was suddenly taken from us. It seems to happen that way a lot.

[@michaelwhite1128]

Teresia Joe was killed! Google what the Coroner said. That No one can kill themselves twice. Joe was shot twice.

[@m1dsp1k3r]

@@michaelwhite1128 sometimes it takes multiple shots to kill someone.

[@godspellflowerfr5991]

I listened to the podcast Over My Dead Body not too long ago when they did a season on G.I Joe. I highly recommend it to those hearing about this case for the first time! Can’t wait to see Mike’s storytelling for this one

[@lovepet4565]

Have you looked at the Snake Murder : lynlee renick

[@goosebump801]

@@lovepet4565 Oh, I’d LOVE to hear Mike give that one a goo! 👀😂❤️😂

[@tomsuiteriii9742]

Thanks for the recommendation. It’s nice to have a more in-depth analysis of a case like this.

[@Joffar]

Yeah, that was a terrific podcast. I enjoy Mike's snark too much to give his take a pass. 😏

[@godspellflowerfr5991]

@@lovepet4565 no i haven’t, I’ll have to check it out and see if it’s a similar vibe. Thanks!

[@clockworktri]

It's actually kind of a relief he didn't take his family with him. If I've learned anything about family annihilators from all my true crime viewings, it's that a lot of them were narcissists that saw no way out.

[@MrRyan-wu4jx]

A life insurance policy actually might’ve saved lives in this one for once. Gave Joe the option of trying to have his family benefit from his death instead of just taking everyone with him.

[@thedarkerknight2188]

yeah but in this case, they were all just as guilty as he was.

[@shitneyb5562]

@@thedarkerknight2188 very true but then I wonder if I found out my husband or father did this, would I help cover it up? Honestly.. Probably.

[@rubyoro0]

Are cops allowed to get life insurance? If I was an insurer I wouldn’t do it.

[@TK-ui2th]

@@rubyoro0 uhm then thank heavens you're not an insurer.. why would someone with an incredibly dangerous job not be allowed to have life insurance? that's the exact person who needs it

[@mezirezi1]

Excellent job!

[@tacoface7047]

society: wow this cop is so amazing truly a valuable member of society mike: oh really?

[@inkheart181]

It's wild that what brought this POS down was someone asking him to do his job and show receipts.

[@loretta_3843]

I'm impressed that they came out and told the public what he was up to. It must have been a hard thing to do!

[@TheSoonToBePurgedJackMeHoff55]

It was their job to come out and tell the public... if they didn't they would be just as bad as him

[@boogityhoo7452]

The reason they took so long and were supposedly investigating it was because they were trying to find someone to convict instead if telling the truth, the paramedics knew right away it was self inflicted and the fact they "couldnt" find his gun which was right next to him until they "solved" the case is a big piece of evidence pointing to that fact. They had his gun the entire time and were going to plant it on the person who they were going to blame for it but whether it was stopped by a higher up or they ended up thinking better of that or whatever the reason they changed their mind, Im glad they did cause the person who would have been framed would have had no chance in hell to beat that case. It's really sad that it was even thought of to frame an innocent person just so it wasn't on record that a police officer killed himself because if how crooked he was. This is the type of behaviour that piss ppl off about police officers but the ppl who blindly support them refuse to see any if this corruption going on right in front of their faces.

[@lizh4933]

Wrong. The guy who investigated this is a morally, stellar individual. There is a really great podcast on this whole mess. The podcast is: "Over My Dead Body".

[@hardcorhedcase]

Wrong, the "bad guy" killed himself making it easy to come out with HIS wrongdoing. They get to look good for coming out with a resolution while also having a scapegoat for wrongdoing bc the "bad cop" all ready killed himself.

[@loretta_3843]

@@TheSoonToBePurgedJackMeHoff55 of course it was their job and duty to admit all, but that doesn't mean it always happens. Thankfully, they didn't hide it, that's what makes it worse in the long run.

[@maxmanx4]

Great job, Mike.

[@trainnerd3029]

I’ve lived in Fox Lake Illinois my entire life… Sad seeing it in these kind of documentaries

[@ering2467]

Crazy case. It happened a hop skip and a jump from me. My job had a sign on our marquee up for him. It came down real quick when the whole story came out. It quietly went away and no one talked about him any more.

[@RarePhantom]

Mike, if you're reading this, please look into The Memphis 3 case!

[@ThatChapter]

It’s on the list!

[@lolaspratt5860]

I would love to see Mike’s coverage of that. Great suggestion!

[@onsight1751]

@@ThatChapter Mike, do the Diane ripple case. San Francisco dog mauling. Crazy story. Involves nazi prison gangs, shady lawyers, and beastiality. You should most definitely "give it a go"

[@monicahenrion1559]

@@onsight1751 That sounds insane!

[@nicholasliacone]

I was already a fan but then you made the clarence boddicker joke. Love it! Thanks for the content!

[@sandey42]

Great job Mike! As always 😊