Sheriff Parnell McNamara promised his constituents in McLennan County, Texas around Waco that he would actively pursue cold cases.

McNamara was elected for a third four-year term in January of 2021. And he has made good on his campaign pledge to open up homicide cases that had been long forgotten.

Because as McNamara sees it no one should get away with murder and the victim’s family deserves to know what happened.

The McNamara clan started in law enforcement in 1902 with Guy McNamara who President Franklin Roosevelt later appointed as a U.S. Marshal in 1933.

You may recall from our earlier episodes about serial killer Kenneth McDuff, that it was the brothers, Deputy U.S. MarshalsParnell and Mike McNamara that launched the manhunt for McDuff with my co-host former U.S. prosecutor Bill Johnston. 

After 36 years with the U.S. Marshals Service, Parnell McNamara reached the mandatory retirement age.  

He retired for nine years but was not willing to be put out to pasture as they say here in Texas.

He was elected Sheriff in 2011 on a campaign slogan of “Riding Herd on the Lawless.”

McNamara wearing his trademark Stetson cowboy hat is a throwback to the old West.  

The western historical decor in his office looks like a modern-day Dodge City occupied by Wyatt Earp. 

I sat down to talk to Sheriff McNamara and the Captain of his cold case unit Steve January.

They started by giving me a challenge coin for the unit.  

It features the “Dead Man’s Hand In Poker”, the combination of cards that “Wild Bill” Hickok was holding when he was shot dead point-blank in the back of the head. 

Like I said this is the old west where McNamara still forms a posse to hunt down fugitives. 

And one more thing. McNamara was the inspiration for Jeff Bridge’s role in Come Hell or High Waterwhich was written by his cousin Taylor Sheridan, best known now for Yellowstone. 

Saddle up your horse. Here’s my interview from inside the crime scene tape with Sheriff Parnell McNamara.

If you wish to make a contribution to Sheriff McNamara's Cold Case Unit, send it to:

McLennan County Sheriff's Office

Attn: Capt. Steve January

901 Washington Ave, Waco, TX 76701

We want to become your favorite true crime podcast. Please leave a review wherever you listen.

Join our true crime community and follow us here. 

True Crime Reporter™ is a @2022 copyrighted and trade-marked production by True Crime Reporter, LLC, in Dallas, Texas.

 

 

Sheriff Parnell McNamara promised his constituents in McLennan County, Texas around Waco that he would actively pursue cold cases.
McNamara was elected for a third four-year term in January of 2021. And he has made good on his campaign pledge to open up homicide cases that had been long forgotten.
Because as McNamara sees it no one should get away with murder and the victim&rsquo;s family deserves to know what happened.
The McNamara clan started in law enforcement in 1902 with Guy McNamara who President Franklin Roosevelt later appointed as a U.S. Marshal in 1933.
You may recall from our earlier episodes about serial killer <a href="https://www.truecrimereporter.com/episodes/cbs-news-anchor-bob-schieffer-shocked-by-broomstick-killers-brutality/">Kenneth McDuff</a>, that it was the brothers, Deputy U.S. MarshalsParnell and Mike McNamara that launched the manhunt for McDuff with my co-host former U.S. prosecutor <a href="https://www.truecrimereporter.com/news-team/william-johnston/">Bill Johnston</a>.&nbsp;
After 36 years with the U.S. Marshals Service, Parnell McNamara reached the mandatory retirement age.&nbsp;&nbsp;
He retired for nine years but was not willing to be put out to pasture as they say here in Texas.
He was elected Sheriff in 2011 on a campaign slogan of &ldquo;Riding Herd on the Lawless.&rdquo;
McNamara wearing his trademark Stetson cowboy hat is a throwback to the old West.&nbsp;&nbsp;
The western historical decor in his office looks like a modern-day Dodge City occupied by Wyatt Earp.&nbsp;
I sat down to talk to Sheriff McNamara and the Captain of his cold case unit Steve January.
They started by giving me a challenge coin for the unit.&nbsp;&nbsp;
It features the &ldquo;<a href="https://www.888poker.com/magazine/web-stories/history-of-dead-mans-hand/">Dead Man&rsquo;s Hand In Poker</a>&rdquo;, the combination of cards that &ldquo;Wild Bill&rdquo; Hickok was holding when he was shot dead point-blank in the back of the head.&nbsp;
Like I said this is the old west where McNamara still forms a posse to hunt down fugitives.&nbsp;
And one more thing. <a href="https://www.kxxv.com/hometown/mclennan-county/mclennan-county-sheriff-relives-his-time-at-the-oscars">McNamara was the inspiration</a> for Jeff Bridge&rsquo;s role in <a href="https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/hell-or-high-water-sheriff-talks-filming-oscars-red-carpet/55100/">Come Hell or High Water</a> which was written by his cousin <a href="https://www.texasmonthly.com/article/film-taylor-made/">Taylor Sheridan</a>, best known now for <a href="https://variety.com/2022/tv/awards/yellowstone-taylor-sheridan-western-1235235606/">Yellowstone</a>.&nbsp;
Saddle up your horse. Here&rsquo;s my interview from inside the crime scene tape with Sheriff Parnell McNamara.
<hr>
If you wish to make a contribution to Sheriff McNamara's Cold Case Unit, send it to:
McLennan County Sheriff's Office
Attn: Capt. Steve January
901 Washington Ave, Waco, TX 76701
<hr>
We want to become your favorite true crime podcast. Please leave a review wherever you listen.
<a href="https://linktr.ee/True_Crime_Reporter">Join our true crime community and follow us here.&nbsp;</a>
True Crime Reporter&trade; is a @2022 copyrighted and trade-marked production by True Crime Reporter, LLC, in Dallas, Texas.
&nbsp;
&nbsp;

The True Crime Reporter™ podcast takes its audience behind the yellow crime scene where few podcasters dare to go. 

The Dallas-based podcast takes listeners on a journey into darkness guided by Peabody Award-Winning investigative reporter Robert Riggs.

Everything is bigger in Texas, and crime is no exception. 

The 2021 Webby Awards named the True Crime Reporter™ podcast among seven honorees, including Dateline NBC and BBC Sounds for “Best True Crime Podcast.” 

Hailed as the Internet’s highest honor by The New York Times, Claire Graves, Executive Director of the Webby Awards, praised Riggs’ podcast,  "Honorees like Robert Riggs and the True Crime Reporter™ podcast are setting the standard for innovation and creativity on the Internet. It is an incredible achievement to be selected among the best from the nearly 13,500 entries we received this year from 50 states and 70 countries."

A leading television streaming channel is currently producing a five-episode news documentary based on Riggs’ first season about serial killer Kenneth Allen McDuff.

Bill Johnston, a decorated former federal prosecutor, joined the True Crime Reporter™ podcast in 2021 as Riggs cohost.

This Texas duo has been up close and personal with the worst of the worst criminals, including serial killers, mass murderers, and sexual predators. You name it, and they’ve seen it from the crime scene to the courtroom, from maximum-security prisons to death row. 

Their real crime stories are stranger than fiction. 

True Crime Reporter™ produces three types of episodes. 

True Crime Reporter™ Extra - features highly produce narrative storytelling about criminal cases. It blends Robert Riggs’ writing/narration with his interviews of investigators, crime victims, forensic experts, convicted criminals, music, and natural sound.

True Crime Reporter™ Confidential - conducts a classic “police procedural.” Riggs and Johnston weave compelling stories during an interview-style/talk show. Think of them as the “Larry King’s” of True Crime. They interview investigators, crime victims, forensic experts, members of the judiciary, even convicted criminals about criminal cases. 

True Crime Reporter™ Texas Ranger Files - features unique access to the case files of one of the worlds’ most legendary law enforcement organizations. Riggs and Johnston interview Texas Rangers about their most unusual investigations. These officers work murders in the wild frontier of Texas.  True Crime Reporter™ tells epic and heroic stories about the Rangers that most people have never heard. 

Our mission is not only to entertain but also to educate. The episodes on True Crime Reporter™ discuss means and motives. We want listeners to come away with insights about crime prevention and self-protection.

The criminal justice system has recognized Riggs and Johnston for their sensitivity to crime victims. Bill Johnston received the “Victim Advocate of the Year Award” for bringing the nation’s first prosecution under the Violence Against Women’s Act. Three weeks after its enactment, Johnston utilized the new law to prosecute a man who sent a twenty-pound pipe bomb to his ex-wife in an attempted murder plot. 

The American Bar Association has honored Riggs with its Silver Gavel Award for investigative reports that exposed corruption in Texas’ parole and prison systems.  The Dallas Crime Commission, in conjunction with the FBI, awarded Riggs its first-ever Excellence In Reporting Award for his investigation of teenage heroin deaths in Plano, Texas, and a landmark series on identity theft.

The first season of True Crime Reporter™ broadcasted a 17-episode series about the corrupt release of serial killer Kenneth Allen McDuff from prison by the Texas Parole Board. Bill Johnston organized and led the successful manhunt for McDuff.  Following Robert Riggs’ news investigation about parole selling, Johnston prosecuted the Texas Parole Board Chairman who had released McDuff.  

The True Crime Reporter&trade; podcast takes its audience behind the yellow crime scene where few podcasters dare to go.&nbsp;
The Dallas-based podcast takes listeners on a journey into darkness guided by Peabody Award-Winning investigative reporter Robert Riggs.
Everything is bigger in Texas, and crime is no exception.&nbsp;
The 2021 Webby Awards named the True Crime Reporter&trade; podcast among seven honorees, including Dateline NBC and BBC Sounds for &ldquo;Best True Crime Podcast.&rdquo;&nbsp;
Hailed as the Internet&rsquo;s highest honor by The New York Times, Claire Graves, Executive Director of the Webby Awards, praised Riggs&rsquo; podcast,&nbsp; "Honorees like Robert Riggs and the True Crime Reporter&trade; podcast are setting the standard for innovation and creativity on the Internet. It is an incredible achievement to be selected among the best from the nearly 13,500 entries we received this year from 50 states and 70 countries."
A leading television streaming channel is currently producing a five-episode news documentary based on Riggs&rsquo; first season about serial killer Kenneth Allen McDuff.
Bill Johnston, a decorated former federal prosecutor, joined the True Crime Reporter&trade; podcast in 2021 as Riggs cohost.
This Texas duo has been up close and personal with the worst of the worst criminals, including serial killers, mass murderers, and sexual predators. You name it, and they&rsquo;ve seen it from the crime scene to the courtroom, from maximum-security prisons to death row.&nbsp;
Their real crime stories are stranger than fiction.&nbsp;
True Crime Reporter&trade; produces three types of episodes.&nbsp;
True Crime Reporter&trade; Extra - features highly produce narrative storytelling about criminal cases. It blends Robert Riggs&rsquo; writing/narration with his interviews of investigators, crime victims, forensic experts, convicted criminals, music, and natural sound.
True Crime Reporter&trade; Confidential - conducts a classic &ldquo;police procedural.&rdquo;&nbsp;Riggs and Johnston weave compelling stories during an interview-style/talk show. Think of them as the &ldquo;Larry King&rsquo;s&rdquo; of True Crime. They interview investigators, crime victims, forensic experts, members of the judiciary, even convicted criminals about criminal cases.&nbsp;
True Crime Reporter&trade; Texas Ranger Files - features unique access to the case files of one of the worlds&rsquo; most legendary law enforcement organizations. Riggs and Johnston interview Texas Rangers about their most unusual investigations. These officers work murders in the wild frontier of Texas.&nbsp; True Crime Reporter&trade; tells epic and heroic stories about the Rangers that most people have never heard.&nbsp;
Our mission is not only to entertain but also to educate. The episodes on True Crime Reporter&trade; discuss means and motives. We want listeners to come away with insights about crime prevention and self-protection.
The criminal justice system has recognized Riggs and Johnston for their sensitivity to crime victims. Bill Johnston received the &ldquo;Victim Advocate of the Year Award&rdquo; for bringing the nation&rsquo;s first prosecution under the Violence Against Women&rsquo;s Act. Three weeks after its enactment, Johnston utilized the new law to prosecute a man who sent a twenty-pound pipe bomb to his ex-wife in an attempted murder plot.&nbsp;
The American Bar Association has honored Riggs with its Silver Gavel Award for investigative reports that exposed corruption in Texas&rsquo; parole and prison systems.&nbsp; The Dallas Crime Commission, in conjunction with the FBI, awarded Riggs its first-ever Excellence In Reporting Award for his investigation of teenage heroin deaths in Plano, Texas, and a landmark series on identity theft.
The first season of True Crime Reporter&trade; broadcasted a 17-episode series about the corrupt release of serial killer Kenneth Allen McDuff from prison by the Texas Parole Board. Bill Johnston organized and led the successful manhunt for McDuff.&nbsp; Following Robert Riggs&rsquo; news investigation about parole selling, Johnston prosecuted the Texas Parole Board Chairman who had released McDuff.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Go Inside the crime scene tape as Investigative Reporter Robert Riggs and his Law Enforcement sources tell exclusive backstories from his 30 year career covering serial killers and sociopaths.

True Crime Reporter™

Investigative Reporter Robert Riggs created an original True Crime genre podcast based on three decades of real-life stories ripped from his reporter’s notebooks. 


When you hear the True Crime Reporter™, rest assured that Riggs was there inside the crime scene tape. 


In every episode, Peabody Award-winning investigative reporter pulls out his reporter’s notebooks. His law enforcement sources open up their case files. 


They sit down to talk. And you can listen to their Journey Into Darkness.

Investigative Reporter Robert Riggs created an original True Crime genre podcast based on three decades of real-life stories ripped from his reporter’s notebooks. 
 
When you hear the True Crime Reporter™, rest assured that Riggs was there inside the crime scene tape. 
 
In every episode, Peabody Award-winning investigative reporter pulls out his reporter’s notebooks. His law enforcement sources open up their case files. 
 
They sit down to talk. And you can listen to their Journey Into Darkness.

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