I Robbed a Pharmacy: The Dark Reality of a Police Veteran | Episode 177

A 31-year San Francisco law enforcement veteran who grew up with a pot-smoking, drug-dealing hippie mom reveals how childhood trauma drove him into policing, gave him rare empathy for the homeless and addicted… and ultimately fueled a secret opioid addiction that ended in a pharmacy robbery, jail, and near-suicide. Davin Cole went from K9 handler to citywide homeless outreach leader, earned medals of valor, and still lost everything to complex PTSD and pain-med addiction. This is the raw, unfiltered story of what the job really costs — and how he clawed his way back. Key Moments: 01:00 - The Hidden Pharmacy Robbery and 10-Year Addiction 06:20 - Why He Had More Empathy for Drug Users and Homeless People 08:04 - The Subconscious Drive Behind First Responders 13:05 - Why His Mom Was Proud He Became a Cop 17:00 - Building San Francisco’s Homeless Outreach Unit 21:00 - COVID, Defund the Police, and the Fentanyl Explosion 23:28 - The Real Causes of Homelessness, According to Davin Cole 30:49 - The Gang Member Shotgun Ambush 42:10 - The K9 Bite That Eventually Put Him on the Road to Addiction If you’re a first responder, veteran, or anyone carrying invisible wounds — this conversation will hit hard. Like, subscribe, and share this with someone who needs to hear it. Drop a comment: what part of Davin’s story hit you most? Welcome to our channel, Reasons We Serve, a podcast dedicated to exploring the motivations, challenges, and realities of working in law enforcement. We dive deep into the personal stories of officers, discuss different career paths, and break down the roles of various agencies—from local police departments to state and federal law enforcement. If you enjoyed this episode, please give us a 5-star review, comment, and share.