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“TRUE BLUE Police Stories
by Those Who Have Lived Them” rose from the
fiery rubble of the Sept 11 attacks on our nation.
That day not only destroyed the lives of many of
our countrymen but it was also the single most deadly
day in the history of American law enforcement. It
was on that day that I resolved that those men and
women would not be forgotten…ever. I asked
for and received stories from law enforcement officers
from around our nation that would accomplish several
goals. One was to show support to the families of
those law officers killed in the attack, another,
to show those we serve the humanity behind the badge.
Just as importantly, I wanted to unite those men
and women who make up the ranks of our nations law
enforcement officers in order to achieve those goals.
The National Law
Enforcement Memorial Wall. Click image to visit
their website.
The result was “TRUE BLUE” and I can
say without a moments hesitation that this achievement
stands as the proudest moment in my life for I can
share in that moment with all of the Police Officer/Authors
who bravely shared their thoughts and experiences
to accomplish what we set out to do. Our book continues
to pay homage to those who lost their lives on 9/11
but it also brings the law enforcement community
closer to the people it serves by sharing experiences
from the hearts and minds of our country’s
law officers.
The
journey that began for me on that tragic day continues
for me unabated. The written word, with its timeless
power, strengthens in me the resolve to work towards
unifying law enforcement within itself and with
those we serve. I have been fortunate enough to
have seen my book, “A Cop’s Life” not
only published, but also inspire police officers
and citizens to contact me with words of thanks and
encouragement, and for that I am eternally grateful.
I have also been asked if there would be another
edition of TRUE BLUE and I have in my heart always
believed that there would be. For the men and women
who serve in our nations law enforcement services
continue to risk not only their lives but their hearts
as they face cruelty and evil each day that they
pin on their badge, and they should be celebrated
for their honor and courage.
I have held back though on actively working on a
second volume because I did not wish to take on the
responsibility of such an endeavor without the proper
motivation. I could not with a clear conscience ask
my fellow law enforcement officers to once again
pour out their souls and experiences if a greater
good could not be accomplished.
The National Law
Enforcement Memorial Wall. Click image to
visit their website.
The time has come however, when I have found a cause
in which all of us in law enforcement can take pride
and wish to participate. The National Law Enforcement
Memorial Fund stands as an eternal monument to the
memories of the men and women of American law enforcement.
Anyone who has stood in front of the thousands of
names carved within its stone has felt its power
and been humbled by the sacrifice it represents.
The museum, which is to be built in conjunction with
the Memorial Wall, will honor those who serve our
country and it is to show support and participate
in the building of this lasting tribute that I once
again ask for your help in bringing to life “TRUE
BLUE II, More Police Stories by Those Who Have Lived
Them”. Not only will a portion of the royalties
of the book be donated to the National Police Memorial
Fund, the book itself will be used as a tool to generate
funds for the organization.
The National Law Enforcement
Memorial Wall. Click image to visit their website.
I know that putting pen to paper can be frightening
and intimidating to even the most hardened law
enforcement officer. Questions linger in our
minds about the
clarity and impact of our writings and if they
are up to the standards chosen for publication.
While
I cannot promise that all of the stories received
will be published, I can promise that I will work
personally with each one of you who submits a story
to make it the best that it can be and will honor
your words.
Policing has impacted the lives of all who serve.
The deadly encounters, the survival and loss experienced,
and even the humor and camaraderie make it a unique
profession. Understanding can only come through
knowledge and the emotions that are entwined with
it and it
is understanding that law enforcement officers
can encourage through the power of the written
word.
Understanding not only from those we serve but
also from ourselves.
I ask you, the men and women of law enforcement
to once again join with me in the effort to create
a
monument, not this time only composed of words
and thoughts and experiences but of stone and steel
and
memories. I ask you to help us build the National
Police Memorial Fund Museum.
Officers at The National
Law Enforcement Memorial Wall Dedication.
Click image
to visit their website.
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