Danny R. Smith's Blog, page 12
June 13, 2018
The Unsolved Murder of Angie Dodge
Twenty-two years ago today, 18-year-old Angie Raye Dodge was killed as she slept in her upstairs apartment in the sleepy town of Idaho Falls, Idaho.
At the time of Angie’s murder, DNA had become a household term thanks to the spectacle that was the O.J. Simpson murder trial in Los Angeles. Simpson’s 1995 acquittal should have awakened every investigator in the country as to the importance of DNA evidence, and the collection and handling thereof. But some still slept.
Idaho Falls Police Depart...
June 6, 2018
Favorite Authors
This week I wanted to answer a question often asked by those who follow my blog: What are you reading? Who are your favorite authors?
Favorite Crime Authors Joseph Wambaugh[image error]When I was a young man just out of high school, I was introduced to Wambaugh novels by my good friend Johnny Babbitt. He asked if I had read any of Wambaugh’s books and cited a few of his favorites: Choir Boys, The Blue Knight, The New Centurions. I had not, so I asked if he would lend me one. Johnny said he doesn’t loan o...
May 30, 2018
Gun Arrests
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“She’s likely going to kill us both.”
He glanced over. My partner had her gun pointed at him—at us—and the barrel was swaying and bouncing in her shaking hands.
He said, “I’m cool, man.”
Firestone Station Patrol – PM ShiftIt had only been ten minutes since the end of briefing, not the hot part of the night or the time into your shift when you would usually anticipate shit hitting the fan. We had pulled out of the station parking lot just after two p.m. following an inspection of our patrol...
May 23, 2018
A Tribute to Fallen Colleagues
Since I was sworn as a Los Angeles County deputy sheriff in 1983, the tally of department members killed in the line of duty has reached 36. Many of them were acquaintances, some were friends. As a homicide detective, I’ve investigated the deaths of others. This is a reminder of their sacrifices.
“Knock-knock-knockin’ on heaven’s door . . .” [image error]Sergeant George Lynn ArthurLos Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, California
End of Watch June 1, 1985
Sergeant Arthur was shot and killed while leav...
May 16, 2018
Cowboy Ways
This week I’m in Texas, to see my son-in-law off on his deployment and bring my daughter home. First and foremost, God bless and protect our military! I am grateful to live in a free country and humbled by the sacrifice of those who serve, and their families.
Being in Texas, it seemed appropriate to step away from my usual crime genre to write about cowboys.
Growing up, I played cops and robbers or cowboys and Indians, daily. As an adult, I have been blessed to do a little of each. Okay, a lo...
May 9, 2018
The First Assignment
Before I had a chance to grab a cup of coffee or discover the location of my desk, I was given my first assignment as a homicide detective.
A 16-year-old boy had been killed by a train in the City of Industry.
It was a chilly fall morning, and I made the mistake of arriving at the office at seven o’clock. Other than one detective handling phones at the front desk, the place was empty.
I came from Special Investigations Bureau (SPI) where we started early; six o’clock was the...
May 3, 2018
No Body Murder Case
Nada Lazarevic, a first-generation American, immigrated from Yugoslavia. The 67-year-old was a seamstress by trade who had built a steady and substantial clientele. Thrifty and hardworking, Nada saved until she could pay cash for her modest home and sensible car. She abhorred debt.
Nada was living The American Dream, until she disappeared. That was the 24th of August, 2001.
A Tale of Two Daughters.Nada had two daughters: Jasmina and Vanessa. Or, the good daughter and the bad dau...
April 26, 2018
The Critic
[image error]My editor recently became outraged at a writing critique I privately received from a person involved in a book club.
This person was critical of my book, A Good Bunch of Men, because of a bathroom scene. Though nothing beyond a conversation occurs in this scene, this critic was incensed that such a scene was “shown.”
The critic had asked, “Do you know why they don’t have bathroom scenes on TV?”
Constructive CriticismI am open to constructive criticism, especially by those with credentials. T...
April 19, 2018
Crimson Rose
[image error]Crimson was twenty-two, single, and vivacious. The daughter of perhaps the most forgiving woman I’ve ever met.
She had recently broken up with Derek. He was the macho sort who boasted of his combat experience as a paratrooper during Desert Storm. Which, as it turns out, was a lie. He wasn’t a paratrooper, he hadn’t seen combat, and he had been dishonorably discharged from the United States Army for misconduct.
January 30, 1998On a mild, winter afternoon in January, Crimson Rose went to Derek...
April 12, 2018
The Roundup
[image error]This week 1,143 retired members of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department gathered this week for the famous LASD Roundup. My good friend, Moon Mullen, is one of the founding members of both the Roundup and the LASD Retired association (LASDRetired.org). My hat is off to him, his wife Robyn, and to all of the others who work hard every year to make this happen (what an operation!) There are many, so forgive me for not listing all.
Old Friends and New Ones...
