This was a fun and cool project. Founded by Joe Fisher (retired NYPD), I originally met Joe through my wife, Annie, about 20 years ago. Both Annie and Joe served at the 105th AW, Stewart ANGB in Newburgh, NY. Joe and I kept running into each other when we worked around Manhattan — he was often doing something related to the UN while my office was three blocks away. Never in a million years did I think Joe and I would end up working together in the fields we're in now. Hell, I would have never guessed Joe would retire from the NYPD and move into prop making and technical advising for film, and I’m pretty sure Joe would say the same about me.

Joe’s years of “walking a beat” gave him the knowledge and skills to teach actors and documentarians how to portray law enforcement authentically. He has a sharp eye for realism and excels in prop making with an attention to detail that’s second to none — because he did it for real. With over 20 years in the NYPD, Joe knows how to make every piece of kit an actor wears look exactly the way it needs to.

Joe’s order was kind of simple, and not to sound cliché, but I can’t get into specifics because it’ll end up in a project he’s working on — trade secrets and all that. What I can say is that it was an awesome and unique collaboration, and one day I’ll tell you all about it. Maybe I’ll even get Joe to do something special.

For now, as a thank-you, I made Joe a custom tumbler and a set of coasters. Here are the pieces I can share — etched, rugged, and built to survive whatever set, squad car, or kitchen counter they land on.