Sheriff's Office Welcomes A&E's "Live PD"

Shawn Myhand (L) and Michael Marashio (R) outfit Sheriff Shane Doyle's vehicle with cameras and equipment for LivePD.

Darren Doyle, story and photos:
The Edmonson County Sheriff's Office welcomed camera crews from the hit cable show "LivePD," on A&E hosted by Dan Abrams on Friday and Saturday to catch a live look at deputies and their work in Edmonson County.

Shawn Myhand, associate field producer for the show and Michael Marashio, assistant camera, were gracious enough to allow us to give our readers a live look at the guys who give everyone else a live look on the show.

They outfitted Sheriff Shane Doyle's vehicle with two cameras inside, one facing him and the other facing out the front. The cameras transmitted a live signal back to New York using 4G LTE data and the crew also used two different hand held cameras along with GoPro cameras. 

Crews rode along with the sheriff and deputies, recording footage throughout the day to use on the show while also going live to Edmonson County on several different occasions. 

A&E's Michael Marashio checks a handheld camera for filming the hit show LivePD with the EC Sheriff's Office.

"These guys have been great to work with," said Myhand. "This show is about the real lives of police officers and we try to let them tell their stories."

Sheriff Doyle said that the experience was great for his office, but added that they just continued to do what they normally do.

"I've always been outspoken with what kind of great people make up the Edmonson County Sheriff's Office. When LivePD showed interest in coming here, I jumped at the chance because I truly believe our folks are some of the best and we're proud to show that to anyone," said Doyle.

A&E camera crews stick with Deputy Jordan Jones during a traffic stop.

Doyle said the crews from the network were extremely professional and genuine.

"I didn't really know what to expect from these guys when they came in here, but they've been great," he said. "These guys have been part of some really great shows and movies and it was fun to hear some of their stories, but they were just as interested in stories about our experiences as law enforcement officers."

Myhand said people that aren't familiar with the show might compare it to COPS, but he said that it's not the same.

"Other shows like that tend to focus on the bad guys, but we think this is a more legitimate look at the real stories of law enforcement officers. We don't focus necessarily on the bad guys, we're focusing on the officers."

Myhand also said crews enjoy working with small towns and communities.

"It's amazing to see how many people know these officers and the sheriff on a first-name basis," he said. "We keep hearing "hey Shane," or "hey there Joe," or whatever. You don't really see that in big cities; it's just random strange faces."

Sheriff Shane Doyle talks with a motorist at a traffic checkpoint as A&E cameras roll.

The show's format starts in the studio with a host and two guests on a panel that look at several monitors behind them, each one showing a live crew with officers throughout the country. They discuss various situations and go live to particular ones when something happens that might be of interest. Tango was deployed earlier today and the live cameras switched to Edmonson County.

"The guys in New York love Tango," said Myhand. "We do, too. We all took time today to take photos with Tango and the rest of the guys."

The Sheriff's Office made several drug, alcohol, and outstanding warrant arrests, thanks to the extended safety checkpoints made possible by A&E footing the bill for any and all overtime used by his office. Crews are planning to come back for more filming on Monday.

"We've hit it off with these guys and we welcome them back," Doyle said.