Most men and women who aspire to be police officers begin their careers with a noble dream of community service, upholding the law, and helping those in need.
Yet over time the rigors and emotional strain of dealing with society’s worst element wear on even the most idealistic officers like a sheet of sandpaper, until what used to be a compassionate human being is slowly rubbed away.
A few -- thankfully a very few -- become corrupted and slip into criminal behavior, directly contradicting their oath to guard the public. Even worse, there are some who hide behind their badges to commit the most heinous crimes imaginable.
Some killed for love, others for money, and still others because of seemingly trivial personality conflicts. Surprisingly to some, males are not alone: female officers have been involved in abuse-of-power cases including murder.
In her shocking true-crime narrative that reads like a thriller former police officer, former detective, and mystery writer Stacy Dittrich tells eighteen stories about cops who kill in Murder Behind the Badge .
From the brutal to the bizarre, the senseless to the extreme, these men and women abused their power, took human life, and are now (except for one) paying the consequences.
Dittrich profiles, among others:
• New Orleans cop Antoinette Frank, who brutally murdered three innocent people, including a fellow officer
• Canton, Ohio police officer Bobby Cutts Jr., who murdered his former girlfriend when she was nine-months pregnant
• California highway patrolman Craig Peyer, who pulled over San Diego State college student Cara Knott over a frivolous traffic violation, then murdered her.
• Columbia, Missouri officer Steven Rios, who slit the throat of his gay lover, after he threatened to tell everyone of their relationship.
Dittrich's book also includes the story of Illinois Police Sergeant currently under indictment for murder, Drew Peterson
As a veteran police officer with seventeen years of experience, Dittrich is careful to emphasize that the vast majority of law enforcement officers dutifully uphold their oath to protect the public trust. The fascinating stories she tells are examples of the few whose character flaws turned them into the very criminals they themselves at one time pursued. Her expertise digs deep into the minds of the men and women featured in the book and what drove them to commit such brutal murders.
Murder Behind the Badge reveals the dark underbelly of the cop-shop, the evil that can lurk within. Some of these cases you may have heard about, many you have not. Now, learn the inside details of how a murderer gets a badge and is sometimes protected by fellow officers.
Only another cop could walk the public through how a psycho gets on a police force in the first place. Only another cop could explain how the mind-set of the thin blue line is sometimes so similar to the mind-set of the truly disturbed. Author Stacy Dittrich is that cop. And Murder Behind the Badge is that book.
Detective Stacy Dittrich (Mansfield, OH PD-ret.) is an award-winning veteran law enforcement officer specializing in sex crimes, author, and media consultant . In 2002, she received the Victims of Crime Award from former Ohio Attorney General Jim Petro and, in 2009, received a commendation from the Ohio House of Representatives for her “countless inspiration to others.” She is the author of the CeeCee Gallagher thriller series about a female detective.
He's former chief at a New York City housing project in Washington Heights nicknamed "Crack City" by reporters covering the drug war in the 1980s. In addition, he served as director of public safety at a New Jersey university and director of security for several major organizations. He's also served on the National Drug Task Force and trained police and security officers throughout the country. Kouri writes for many police and security magazines including Chief of Police, Police Times, The Narc Officer and others. He's a news writer and columnist for AmericanDaily.Com, MensNewsDaily.Com, MichNews.Com, and he's syndicated by AXcessNews.Com. Kouri appear regularly as on-air commentator for over 100 TV and radio news and talk shows including Fox News Channel, Oprah, McLaughlin Report, CNN Headline News, MTV, etc.
To subscribe to Kouri's newsletter write to COPmagazine@aol.com and write "Subscription" on the subject line.
Comments
Jim, I know this is a serious subject, but you've got to check your link under "careers." I won't say what it is, but it's very funny. (If you fix it, you can delete my post.)
PS: "www.prometheusbooks.com" is the publisher of Dittrich's book, but it seems their site has been taken over by UK climate scientists.
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