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Life in the Fishbowl: The harrowing true story of an undercover cop who took down 51 of the nation’s most notorious Crips and his cultural awakening amidst a poor, gang-infested neighborhood
Tegan Broadwater was the consummate outside insider. As a white cop pretending to be a high-end cocaine dealer, he infiltrated a deadly street gang, won their trust and embarked on a mission to put them away. Ultimately, it became a dangerous cat-and-mouse game between two men: Tegan, the undercover, and M.D., the cagey drug lord with a street-level MBA. Only one of them would be left standing.
LIFE IN THE FISH BOWL is Broadwater’s first-person journey from green patrol cop to gangsters’ friend to Crip-buster, loaded with action and inside information. It’s also a fascinating eyewitness account of clotted police bureaucracy, hierarchical thug life and the hazy netherworld of a man who had to move through both of them.
This is an intimate, unflinching, behind-the-lines story of one man’s time in the War on Drugs and gangs, his surprising relationships and emotional attachment toward the ones he sought to stop, and his descent into a life that most people can’t imagine. Tegan Broadwater came out on the other end, a year and a half later, a changed man.
He also learned a few things. The purported War on Drugs is still futile, gang life and the violence associated with it can be thwarted, and there is a dire need for strategically mentoring the children who become inadvertent victims in these operations. Breaking the cycle of violence, removing of the acceptance of young, urban youth from having multiple children without a life plan, and mentoring children of incarcerated parents is THE best place to start a true war against gang and drug violence on our American streets.
Much of the proceeds from this book are being donated to charities that mentor children of incarcerated parents.
LIFE IN THE FISH BOWL is Broadwater’s first-person journey from green patrol cop to gangsters’ friend to Crip-buster, loaded with action and inside information. It’s also a fascinating eyewitness account of clotted police bureaucracy, hierarchical thug life and the hazy netherworld of a man who had to move through both of them.
This is an intimate, unflinching, behind-the-lines story of one man’s time in the War on Drugs and gangs, his surprising relationships and emotional attachment toward the ones he sought to stop, and his descent into a life that most people can’t imagine. Tegan Broadwater came out on the other end, a year and a half later, a changed man.
He also learned a few things. The purported War on Drugs is still futile, gang life and the violence associated with it can be thwarted, and there is a dire need for strategically mentoring the children who become inadvertent victims in these operations. Breaking the cycle of violence, removing of the acceptance of young, urban youth from having multiple children without a life plan, and mentoring children of incarcerated parents is THE best place to start a true war against gang and drug violence on our American streets.
Much of the proceeds from this book are being donated to charities that mentor children of incarcerated parents.
- GenresNonfictionCrime
252 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 15, 2013
27 people are currently reading
235 people want to read
About the author
Tegan Broadwater
1 book1 followerJ. TEGAN BROADWATER’s law enforcement career began in 1996. He is a 13-year veteran of the Fort Worth police department and decorated undercover officer. His assignments included stints with three Narcotics Units, the Gang Unit, the Homicide Cold Case Unit, and the F.B.I. Gang and Violent Crimes Task Force. As a long-time student at the Rister International Martial Arts Academy, Broadwater also instructed police defensive tactics to recruits and veterans as well as tactical driving courses.
Broadwater received dozens of commendations and awards during his tenure with the Police Department, including a Certificate of Merit for going undercover to locate and seize C-4 explosives during a gang retaliation plot, and two awards presented by then state senator Mike Moncrief for his protection detail work at “Ground Zero” during the 9-11 catastrophe. He is a four-time nominee of the Fort Worth Police Department’s Officer of the Year award. And for his extraordinary undercover work in Operation Fish Bowl, a self-start project of Broadwater’s turned massive FBI operation that sentenced 41 violent members of a violent Crip Gang to a total of 629 years of prison time, he earned the US Attorney Commendation Award, and the Fort Worth Police Department’s Officer of the Year award. Operation Fish Bowl was also nominated for the F.B.I.’s Overall Case of the Year.
Broadwater has authored this book detailing the experiences from inside this operation with a personal emphasis on true long-term solutions to gang violence and narcotic trafficking violence on American streets. “Helping children of incarcerated parents break the cycle of violence and removing the acceptance of having multiple children without a life plan is the end goal.”
In May of 2008, in search of a new way to change lives for the better, Broadwater left the police department and founded Tactical Systems Network, LLC (TSN) in Fort Worth, Texas. This foundationally faith-rich security firm serves its clients with high-level strategic security advisory, armed protection, training and custom safety and security services. TSN provides these elite services to private wealth individuals and families, high profile executives and businesses, religious organizations, victims, schools, hospitals, politicians, domestic and foreign governments, celebrities, professional sports franchises and athletes.
Broadwater currently resides in Texas with his beautiful wife and son.
Broadwater received dozens of commendations and awards during his tenure with the Police Department, including a Certificate of Merit for going undercover to locate and seize C-4 explosives during a gang retaliation plot, and two awards presented by then state senator Mike Moncrief for his protection detail work at “Ground Zero” during the 9-11 catastrophe. He is a four-time nominee of the Fort Worth Police Department’s Officer of the Year award. And for his extraordinary undercover work in Operation Fish Bowl, a self-start project of Broadwater’s turned massive FBI operation that sentenced 41 violent members of a violent Crip Gang to a total of 629 years of prison time, he earned the US Attorney Commendation Award, and the Fort Worth Police Department’s Officer of the Year award. Operation Fish Bowl was also nominated for the F.B.I.’s Overall Case of the Year.
Broadwater has authored this book detailing the experiences from inside this operation with a personal emphasis on true long-term solutions to gang violence and narcotic trafficking violence on American streets. “Helping children of incarcerated parents break the cycle of violence and removing the acceptance of having multiple children without a life plan is the end goal.”
In May of 2008, in search of a new way to change lives for the better, Broadwater left the police department and founded Tactical Systems Network, LLC (TSN) in Fort Worth, Texas. This foundationally faith-rich security firm serves its clients with high-level strategic security advisory, armed protection, training and custom safety and security services. TSN provides these elite services to private wealth individuals and families, high profile executives and businesses, religious organizations, victims, schools, hospitals, politicians, domestic and foreign governments, celebrities, professional sports franchises and athletes.
Broadwater currently resides in Texas with his beautiful wife and son.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
July 7, 2013
I was very nervous about this book, the author is a very good friend of mine, and the thought of him being in that kind of danger for 20 months gave me nightmares. I am so glad I did read it - I could not put it down. Tegan had all the tools and training he needed to be a success, but his instincts and his faith allowed him to really create positive change in this area of Fort Worth. This is an amazing story.
May 9, 2015
This was a quick read, and interesting to hear the perspective of an under cover cop and the processes he goes through. I knew it was stressful but I didn't realize that it completely takes over your life and the person you are. It changes everything, including your family life. There were a lot of familiar names of streets or sections of Fort worth. Is it sad that I kept waiting to see a name I recognized...?
July 14, 2024
I was compelled to read this true account of a police undercover story mostly because it occurred in my hometown. He starts the book by telling us there is much more to the story but he cant possibly tell it all in one book. I wish he had. The book is short and could have used more back story and more suspenseful writing. There is virtually nothing about how he and his family dealt with things on a daily basis. What should have been a tense suspenseful read is told very matter of factly...this happened, then this happened...then. It was a fairly boring read that could have been handled better by a ghost writer perhaps.
January 4, 2025
I'm always interested in reading books about Fort Worth. It was really cool pulling up Google maps and seeing the exact locations this book described. That being said, I would have been really into this one regardless of the setting/city.
This was the true story of how an undercover cop busted a huge drug ring in SE Fort Worth. There were some incredibly tense moments where he described how he almost got "made" several times while doing drug deals.
I never thought I'd say this, but this book was too short. I would have enjoyed more information about Broadwater himself, and more information about how this case affected his home and family life.
This was the true story of how an undercover cop busted a huge drug ring in SE Fort Worth. There were some incredibly tense moments where he described how he almost got "made" several times while doing drug deals.
I never thought I'd say this, but this book was too short. I would have enjoyed more information about Broadwater himself, and more information about how this case affected his home and family life.
October 18, 2017
AWESOME BOOK! I learned of Tegan Broadwater when he was on Sportsradio 1310/96.7 FM The Ticket (local Dallas/Fort Worth sports station) a couple of years ago discussing the experience. I have had it on my “read” list ever since.
He is a VERY Caucasian cop that infiltrated the “Polywood” Crips in Fort Worth, TX for 2 years!!!! In the end he took down 41 of the major players in the gang, sending them to prison for a combined total of 629 years.
It is a definite MUST read. I'd like to buy this man a beer!!!
He is a VERY Caucasian cop that infiltrated the “Polywood” Crips in Fort Worth, TX for 2 years!!!! In the end he took down 41 of the major players in the gang, sending them to prison for a combined total of 629 years.
It is a definite MUST read. I'd like to buy this man a beer!!!
November 26, 2019
Wow. I cannot believe this happened so close to where I grew up and went to university. Officer Tegan Broadwater is a Hero in my eyes.
He had the courage to make a huge change in our community and he stuck with it through good and bad. We need more people like Tegan looking out for the greater good.
He had the courage to make a huge change in our community and he stuck with it through good and bad. We need more people like Tegan looking out for the greater good.
August 21, 2016
LOVED! LOVED! LOVED! Loved this book!!!!
April 19, 2018
Good read
Amazing story. Worth the read. Still somewhat crazy that a white guy can infiltrate an inner city gang like he did
Amazing story. Worth the read. Still somewhat crazy that a white guy can infiltrate an inner city gang like he did
March 28, 2019
A truly courageous story about how one man can make a difference despite the overwhelming odds against him.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews