Welcome to Season 4 – Episode 6!

In this episode, we step deep into Chicago history to unpack the myth and the menace of Sylvester “Two Gun Pete” Washington, one of the most infamous and contradictory figures in the city’s law enforcement past.

Celebrated by newspapers as a fearless crime fighter and quietly feared by the communities he policed, Washington was the most recognizable Black police officer in Chicago history. Armed with two pearl-handled .357 magnums, he built a reputation that blurred the line between lawman and outlaw.

This episode examines how Washington’s violence was repeatedly ruled “justified,” how celebrity and corruption shielded him from accountability, and how his private life revealed a pattern of abuse, sexual violence, and unchecked power that followed him off the streets and into his home.

This is not a Western. It’s not a hero’s story. It’s a case study in how authority, fear, racism, and institutional protection can turn one man into a nightmare legend.

The poison for this episode is The Last Word.

If you want to drink with me, you’ll need gin, chartreuse, marachino cherries liqueur, lime juice, and brandied cherries.

Last Word:

• 3/4 ounce gin
• 3/4 ounce green Chartreuse
• 3/4 ounce maraschino liqueur
• 3/4 ounce lime juice, freshly squeezed
• Garnish: brandied cherry (optional)

Add the gin, green Chartreuse, maraschino liqueur, and lime juice to a shaker filled with ice. Shake until thoroughly chilled, then strain into a chilled coupe glass. Garnish with a brandied cherry, if you’re feeling fancy.

Enjoy!

Sources: “Chicago's Two Gun Pete: Not a Western, a True Story” by Jerry Jones - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18281562-chicago-s-two-gun-pete and read The Chicago Tribune Archives.

Full Song: Jack Cooley & Orchestra "Mr. Two-Gun Pete" (1950) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTtGxhX0kXw

I do not own the copyright to this recording. The playing of this song is for historical and educational purposes only.

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Britt

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Disclaimer: The content presented in this podcast is for entertainment and informational purposes only. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, we do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the content. We are not responsible for any errors or omissions in the information provided. True crime stories may include graphic descriptions of violent or disturbing events. Listener discretion is advised. "I Swear to Drunk I Am Not God" may include references or links to third-party websites, products, or services. We do not endorse or guarantee the accuracy of third-party content, and we are not responsible for any issues arising from their use.