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As a professional law enforcement trainer for over twenty-five years, and
the former wife of a federal law enforcement professional, I’ve seen
first-hand the impact that line-of-duty deaths can have on our “Blue Family.”
Politically and socially, we are a country divided. Our rhetoric seems to grow
stronger, louder, and angrier every day. And even though police tactics and
the role that our peace officers play in the communities they serve are some-
times called into question, most everyone seems to agree that losing men
andnd women in the line of duty is particularly devastating. As human beings,
a
we feel especially vulnerable and, quite frankly, scared when we hear that
someone has killed a police officer; one of the men or women whose chief
responsibility is keeping us safe. This book is important to me because it
speaks to the heart of the issue of officer safety and provides tangible exam-
ples of what we can do to keep our brothers and sisters in blue out of harm’s
way.
In Blue Lives Matter: In the Line of Duty, authors Steve Cooley and Bob
Schirn pay a stunning tribute to nine members of law enforcement, includ-
ing one Los Angeles County Police K9, who were taken from us all too soon.
These individuals are heroes who, along with their families, made the ulti-
mate sacrifice in an effort to protect and serve their communities.
As career prosecutors for the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s
office, both authors have a unique perspective and ability to discuss the indi-
vidual cases, not only with empathic understanding, but intelligence. I ap-
plaud the tribute Steve and Bob have created for these fallen officers.
This book is not only exceptionally well laid out, it is extremely practical
and straightforward. Each chapter is dedicated to a sworn officer who was
killed in the line of duty. Not only do the authors, career prosecutors Steve
Cooley and Robert Schirn, vividly describe the crimes and crime scenes, but
they give us an in-depth look at the prosecution of the offenders. The chap-
ters include impact statements from the families or departments affected by
those deaths, as well as a “lessons learned” section that serves as a “how to”
maanual and training guide for those of us still working a beat. The Honor-
m
able Steve Cooley served as the District Attorney for Los Angeles County
from 2000-2012, but was an LAPD reserve officer earlier in his career and is
uniquely qualified to provide an insider’s perspective on these cases.