9 Lives

Preface

Definition of 9 lives-
Noun. nine lives pl (plural only); Durability; near immunity to damage; remarkable ability to survive.

They say cats have nine lives because they manage to get out of difficult or dangerous situations without being hurt or harmed. The same is true of my life when I look back on thirty-two (32) years of working the streets of Los Angeles as a police officer. To say I have been gracious enough to have survived, despite many dangerous encounters, would be an understatement. But, I also know the Lord has plans for me and they are plans to prosper me and not harm me, and those plans are to give me a hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). I truly thank the Lord for selecting me to protect and to serve His people.

This book is an account of the “9 lives” I have used thus far and the situations that perhaps led to the expenditure of each. It is meant to give you a glimpse into the life of police work in one of our nation's most dangerous and violent cities. While most people in society would call our occupation dangerous and say no man should have to face such challenges, officers know that this is reality and that evil exists in the world. My officers and I welcome the opportunities that are placed before us each and every day, and we thank God for giving us what we need to overcome and destroy such injustices.

Author’s note:
As you read this book, you will see a QR code link at several intervals that will take you directly to the audio and/or video associated with the incident I am writing about. It is meant to be interactive, giving the reader a true sense of understanding of what transpired and putting you in the situation firsthand. This book is intended to bring reading pleasure to rookie police officers and veterans alike. It is also written for non-police officers who want a glimpse into the life of an officer in the big city. It shows the evolution of policework over the past three decades as it relates to the progression and transformation of policing, especially in the field of modernization of technology and is sure to captivate readers from all ages.

My affection for policing has always been enormous and my ability to recollect and share incidents with others has been infectious. The officers at work always get a laugh at my obsessive utilization of police related material every time I use them in a learning environment, such as roll call briefings. I am the guy that still, after 32 years of policing, loves watching COPS and other police reality shows. While grinning, I remind them all that there is a reason “Cops” has been a show on TV for over 30 years and has aired for 36 seasons with over 1,175 episodes, making it one of the longest-running shows in television history. Whether you watch this show from the comfort of your living room, roll call room, break room or behind bars, we are all fascinated with police work whether you want to admit it or not. After (3) decades of policing, I still face the job with the same intensity and affection as when I started. I love this job and I still get excited every day I'm scheduled to work. This book is similar to watching COPS, or any other reality police show in that, while you are reading about an incident, you will have access to the 9-1-1 call, police audio and/or body-worn video which puts you right in the front lines.

I am confident you will be on the edge of your seat and be entertained in the world of policing while engaging in and experiencing my “9 Lives” and, just like me, YOU will get a thrill of what it’s like to be an officer with the greatest agency in the world- The Los Angeles Police Department.

Since day one, when someone finds out I am an officer, some of the first questions typically asked are: “Have you been in a car chase?” “Have you ever drawn your weapon?” All I can say is HOLD ON! You don’t even begin to understand what life is like being an officer for the Los Angeles Police Department. That is until now! You will be first on scene and assist officers with chasing an armed gang member down the street. You will also go in vehicle pursuit of an SUV full of wanted parolees who were out on a burglary spree whose only goal was to evade arrest. While these are only two examples of what you will encounter, you will also begin to learn and understand how dangerous, challenging, rewarding, fun, exciting, thrilling, complicated and demanding life is when your badge reads, “Police Officer City of Los Angeles.”