It's Not About the Badge: Real Cops. Real Stories. Joing Their Journey

by John DiGirolamo

It’s Not About the Badge profiles the lives and careers of six small town police officers with extraordinary stories. Delve into their personal lives and walk their journey of compelling real-life tales. Read about ordinary people from various backgrounds where you’ll discover the human spirit of the men and women behind the badge. Take an up close and personal look at police officers and how the work impacts their life, told in an interesting and unique creative non-fiction format

322 pages, Paperback

Published April 16, 2021

Reviews

[Dean Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was an excellent read. At a time where the perceptions of many regarding police are shaped by the evening news, or what their TV tells them to think about cops and law enforcement, this book strips away the politics and agendas, and portrays police as the humans that they are. Too often, people only see the uniform, and they fail to see the human being behind that uniform...not some construct of the media, but a man or woman like anyone else. This book tells the true stories of six rural police officers, serving at a dynamic and politically charged time in American history...perhaps one of the most challenging times in our history to be a cop. With police quitting and retiring en masse around the country, this book gives an intimate snapshot into the lives of six officers who choose to continue to "hold the line," despite the challenges and vitriol. The stories of these officers are shared on an emotional, deeply personal, and often painfully human level. The "life on the streets" presentation of these stories, from those who have stared down the barrel of a gun on a lonely country road, to the trauma of PTSD, to stories of encouragement and fidelity through the fellowship of fellow officers...this book humanizes those who wear the badge. For those who judge the police based off the media or some online videos, this book puts the reader behind the wheel of a patrol car screaming lights and sirens to scenarios of chaos and distress, giving readers a front row seat to the realities of what police in America deal with every day, putting their lives on the line to serve and protect.

[Dellina Strelow · Rating 5 out of 5]

I purchased this book directly from the author at a book signing in Buena Vista several months ago and just NOW got around to reading it. It only took me 3 days, reading at bed time and morning coffee as it was hard to put down. I have lived in the BV area for 35 years, worked for the school district about 20 years (now retired) and know the local officers by name, Officer D becoming the SRO just before I retired. As a school district employee, were involved in a number of trainings with BVPD/CCSO and local SWAT members. This book truly opened my eyes to many behind the scenes goings on in each of their lives. I knew of many illegal activities and deaths as reported in the local newspaper, yet didn't realize the personal and emotional cost to many of these officers. I was raised by a generation who respected LEO's and I'll continue to do so. Thank you John for this glimpse into these brave officers lives...and thanks Jesse C., Chief Morgan, Lamine M., Megan D., Jesse M. and Jamey M. (Wyo) for keeping our town(s) safe so we can "surround ourselves with what matters"!

[Cam Torrens · Rating 5 out of 5]

John DiGirolamo’s It’s Not About the Badge proves great stories are more about introducing readers to incredible characters than about non-stop action or complicated plot twists. Sure, there’s action in the book and through these scenes, we discover the local heroes among us. But it is the touching stories of these heroes’ everyday lives that grab readers’ hearts. DiGirolamo reminds us we are blessed these men and women have committed to a life of service to our communities. I couldn’t put the book down. Thank you for sharing these stories with us.

[William R. Lesley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book

This book should be read by everyone in America. Everyone needs to know the battles that police, first responders, and vets face