Reblogged from Bad Luck Detective (my police blog)
These past few years have been difficult when it came to writing non-fiction police books and blog posts. I spent six of my eight years with the Small Town Police Department as lead detective in Sex Crime and Homicide cases. I can easily look back on those first two years in law enforcement and smile.
After the first two, the reasons to smile faded and many of my cases were heartbreaking and tragic. In the bigger picture, I had a fear that if victims knew I wrote non-fiction police stories about my adventures as an officer, they would stop trusting me.
A victim in one of my cases asked me about my writing one day. I managed to keep my author identity fairly quiet but somehow she heard. I gave her the Bad Luck Blog information so she could visit my blog and see the people and stories I wrote about.
Her wonderful response emphasized the need to keep my detective cases private.
Chief Scott Silverii approached me months ago and asked me to join the 10-Code project—ten fictions stories, written by cops, honoring fallen officers. All proceeds will go to the National Law Enforcement Officer’s Memorial Fund. I was extremely honored to take part in Scott’s incredible endeavor.
Today, 10-Code is available at major online retailers. Below you will find the buy links. If you’ve pre-ordered, I hope you are sinking your teeth into this awesome book. If you didn’t pre-order you need to download your copy now. Please, it’s only $2.99 and ALL proceeds go straight to NLEOMF!
My story, The Forever Team, is dedicated to my police academy friend Philip Rodriguez. I miss him and his smile so much. Writing each word brought him up front and center in my thoughts. I try not to be sad but his loss had a profound effect on so many. Once a year, I visit the Officer Down Memorial Page and read the newest comments on Philip’s page. I’ve left several of my own but this time I couldn’t. Philip’s dad had the top post and it needed to stay there.
Here is the poem to Philip from his father.
I only have a picture now,
A frozen piece of time,
To remind me of how it was,
When you were here, and mine.
I see your smiling eyes,
Each morning when I wake,
I talk to you, and place a kiss,
Upon your lovely face.
How much I miss you being here,
I really can not say,
The ache is deep inside my heart,
And never goes away.
I hear it mentioned often,
That time will heal the pain,
But if I’m being honest,
I hope it will remain.
I need to feel you constantly,
To get me through the day,
I loved you so very much,
Why did you go away?
The angels came and took you,
That really wasn’t fair,
They took my one and only Son,
My future life. My heir.
If only they had asked me,
If I would take your place,
I would have done so willingly,
Leaving you this world to grace.
You should have had so many years,
To watch your life unfold,
And in the mist of this,
Watch me, your Mum grow old!
I hope you’re watching from above,
At the daily tasks I do,
And let there be no doubt at all,
I really do love you.
DAD
May 5, 2014
Each story in 10-Code is dedicated to an officer who changed our lives and lost their own. Thank you Philip for making mine better.
Suzie/Holly/D’Elen
Buy your copy of 10-Code at the following retailers:
