Sheriff Parnell McNamara promised his constituents in McLennan County, Texas around Waco that he would actively pursue cold cases.
McLennan County Sheriff Parnell McNamara & Reporter Robert Riggs
McNamara was elected for a third four-year term in January 2021. He has made good on his campaign pledge to open up long-forgotten homicide cases.
Because as McNamara sees it, no one should get away with murder, and the victim’s family deserves to know what happened.
U.S. Marshall Guy McNamara 1933 (on right)Guy McNamara Constable 1907 (seated)
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.
Deputy U.S. Marshal Mike McNamara, Serial Killer Kenneth McDuff, Deputy U.S. Marshal Parnell McNamara
You may recall from our earlier episodes about serial killer Kenneth McDuff that it was the brothers, Deputy U.S. Marshals Parnell and Mike McNamara, that launched the manhunt for McDuff with former U.S. prosecutor Bill Johnston.
L-R Deputy U.S. Marshal Mike McNamara, Federal Prosecutor Bill Johnston, Deputy U.S. Marshal Parnell McNamara with Big Foot
After 36 years with the U.S. Marshals Service, Parnell McNamara reached the mandatory retirement age.
He retired for nine years but was unwilling 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.
rThe western historical decor in his office looks like a modern-day Dodge City occupied by Wyatt Earp.
L-R Capt Steve January, Robert Riggs & Seiler Burr of True Crime Reporter™, Sheriff Parnell McNamara
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.
Wild Bill Hickok Monument at Deadwood, South Dakota
Like I said, this is the old west where McNamara still forms a posse to hunt down fugitives.
And one more thing. McNamara inspired Jeff Bridge’s role in Come Hell or High Water,which was written by his cousin Taylor Sheridan, best known now for Yellowstone.
Robert Riggs & Captain Steve January Display Nicole Sheridan’s Yellowstone Hoodie She Wore When Presenting A Generous Donation to the McLennan County Sheriff’s Cold Case Unit
Saddle up your horse. Here’s my interview with Sheriff Parnell McNamara from inside the crime scene tape.
If you wish to contribute to Sheriff McNamara’s Cold Case Unit, send it to:
Robert Riggs has spent decades as an investigative reporter, and in True Crime Reporter, he applies that relentless, document-driven approach to the stories that haunt us. This isn't just a retelling of grim headlines; it's a meticulous walk through active case files, historical injustices, and the societal undercurrents that allow crime to flourish. Each episode feels like you're sitting across from Riggs as he lays out his notes, connecting dots between evidence, witness accounts, and the often-overlooked details that change a narrative. You'll hear the tension in the pursuit of truth, the weight of unresolved questions, and the quiet impact on communities and families left in the wake of violence. The podcast moves beyond the sensational to examine the cultural and systemic factors at play, offering a sober, deeply researched perspective. Listen for long-form narratives that build like a detective's board, where every piece of audio, every interview, and every document serves a purpose. It’s for those who want to understand the 'why' and the 'how' as much as the 'who,' presented with the clarity and authority of a seasoned journalist who knows the terrain. This is a journey into real stories, handled with the care they demand, and it naturally becomes an essential listen for anyone fascinated by the intersection of human behavior, justice, and the news.
Author: Robert Riggs
Language: en-us
Episodes: 100
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