Mourning the death of NYPD Police Officer Jason Rivera

This morning I watched the sun crest over the horizon, as beautiful as it was, a coldness gripped my heart, knowing that one thousand miles east, the family of NYPD Police Officer Jason Rivera was waking and preparing to make funeral arrangements for their fallen warrior; a brother of mine whom I didn’t know personally, but a brother none-the-less when he took his oath to be a New York City Police Officer. He died 37 years to the day that I took my oath of office, and 36 years to the day we lost Detective Anthony Venditti.

A career criminal cut Officer Rivera’s NYPD career short last night, but his name will live on forever. He embodies the Department Motto: Fidelis Ad Mortem - Faithful Unto Death. This will come as little solace for his family, but within the NYPD there is no greater honor and we do not forget our fallen.

At the same time, we must put aside our pain and continue to pray for his partner, Police Officer Wilbert Mora, who remains in critical condition.

Demonizing the police has become the rage in recent years among politicians and activists who see them, and not the criminals, as the real threat to society. Yet the group that continually admonishes us not to see race, are the first to paint all cops as being racist. They refuse to acknowledge the ultimate sacrifices of officers such as Wen Jian Liu, Rafael Ramos, Miosotis Familia, Randolph Holder, and now Jason Rivera, choosing to see only the color of the uniforms they wore. They ignore the vast majority of officers who entered their professions to make a difference in their communities; officers who chose to put deeds before words. Let us take a moment to reflect that over one thousand members of the NYPD have paid the ultimate price for the citizens of their city.

What I do know is this. Today, thousands of officers will slip a black mourning band onto their shield, putting aside their pain at the loss of their brother, and will go out and do their job to protect the citizens of New York City. It is a time-honored tradition that I am all too familiar with.

To the family of Officer Rivera, there are no words that I can give you that will take away the pain. Just know that you do not grieve alone. The tens of thousands of active and retired members of the greatest police department in the world mourn with you and Jason’s sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Fidelis Ad Mortem

NYPD Cold Case Anthology (Print) - Update

It’s been a while since I posted and I apologize for that. I was in the middle of a house remodel and have been working on the next installment in the Alex Taylor series. It is my hope that I will be able to release this new book before the end of the year.

It took some time, but it appears that the pricing issue surrounding the print version of the NYPD Cold Case Anthology has been resolved. The correct price of $10.99 now appears on the amazon website. If you would like to order this, you can click: ORDER HERE

This book features all three books in the Detective Angelo Antonucci series:

The Katherine White Murder - Case #13-098

The Rosary Bead Murders - Case #14-102

The Crazy 8 Cowboys - Case #15-003

Thank you for your patience while this matter was addressed.

September 11th – Never Forget

It’s funny to me that each September you begin hearing the words ‘Never Forget’ being repeated.

I don’t say this dismissively, and I am truly grateful to all those who remember the bravery and faithfulness of our fallen, but as I look around at what is going on in this country I cannot help but feel these words are becoming hollow platitudes.

Just recently, the 9/11 community was in an all-out political battle to fight for funding to treat many of us who are sick as a result of the toxins we ingested back then. September 12th, 2002, united this country and gave rise to the words ‘Never Forget.’ Yet the same politicians who draped themselves in the flag and chastised us to not forget were the very same ones who pushed back on the promise this country made to us.

I look around and I am deeply troubled, as I see this new generation, many whom were not even alive when the terror attack occurred, desecrating memorials to our fallen heroes and victims, because they go against their current world view. Those people who have never put themselves in harm’s way for another human being, mocking those that gave the last full measure.

 The words ‘Never Forget’ mean something different to a select few. While the world proclaims that we should Never Forget, some understand that for them it is ‘Can’t Forget.’

Can’t Forget means that you can never look at a clear blue sky and find comfort.

Can’t Forget means that the sound of a low flying plane sends a wave of panic through you.

Can’t Forget means that in the shadow of a global pandemic a mask brings no comfort, only bad memories.

Can’t Forget means that the sight of flames and the scent of acrid smoke forever rekindles a hell that no one should ever know.

Can’t Forget means that to those who wear this, you are bound to a brother & sisterhood that is sacred, not for what we did, but for what they gave:  Fidelis Ad Mortem

NYPD World Trade Center Medal

Can’t Forget means that, by the grace of God, you survived, but the names and faces of those we lost are forever etched into our hearts and minds.

“From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be remembered-
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition;
And gentlemen in England now-a-bed
Shall think themselves accurs'd they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day.” - William Shakespeare’s Henry V

Re-Release: Where Was God? Updated Content

I wanted to let everyone know that I just re-released by book: Where Was God? An NYPD first responder’s search for answers following the terror attack of September 11th 2001

This 2nd edition features two new chapters dealing with the current Corona Virus (COVID-19) Pandemic and the Book of Job. I felt I was missing out on an opportunity to speak to people who might be struggling emotionally and spiritually with the wake of devastation left by this virus. The addition of the examination of the Book of Job came after a recent Bible study and it felt particularly relevant when we are seeking answers during times of suffering.

The updated versions should be available shortly on Amazon: Where Was God?

This edition also features a revised list of the men and women of the NYPD who have lost their battle to 9/11 illnesses.  Sadly, this year marks the 19th anniversary of the attack. On the day of the attack, the NYPD lost 23 members in the line of duty; since that day we have lost a staggering 242 more from the toxins they ingested and that number will only continue to rise; a situation made even worse by the health effects of COVID-19.

As an added reminder, 100% of the royalties from this book are donated to charities / organizations that further God’s work. From the very first day we made a commitment that, since this work was divinely inspired, we not profit from its message.  

In times of tragedy or suffering it can feel as if we are alone, but we are not. God is always with us.

John 16:33 – “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Winter 2019 – Update

Where have I been? It’s a question I often ask myself these days.

If you’re like me, this time of year can be quite hectic on the best of days, but being an author means that you have even more going on.

So far this Fall / Winter season I have done a complete re-edit of my debut novel, Perfect Pawn. I’d taken a hard look at it and decided that, since I have grown as a writer, I needed to focus on making it the best it could be. I believe the current edition meets those requirements without taking away from the overall story-line.

Since then, I have kept busy. I’ve completed the re-edits on the follow-up book, Queen’s Gambit, and hope to have that re-released later this month or the early part of January 2020. I’m also currently re-editing the first Alex Taylor novel, Small Town Secrets, and hope to have a re-launch of that book with a new cover.

I also decided to write a new book. This one marks my journey into a new genre: Supernatural, but I haven’t completely abandoned my origins. I took an idea and weaved it into a police procedural/mystery story. It was fun crafting the story-line, and I believe readers of both genres will find something to enjoy. At this time I am shooting for a release date in early 2020.

Speaking of 2020, with the release of the 5th Maguire novel, Glass Castle, I will be starting work on the 4th Alex Taylor novel. I’ve been busy doing the outline and I have about 6 chapters already fleshed out.

So there you have it, the goings on in the chaotic world of this writer. I hope that all of you have had a wonderful Thanksgiving and I extend my best wishes for a blessed Christmas.

See you in the New Year!

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