Passing of Country Music Icon Toby Keith (1961-2024)

It is with profound sadness that I woke up this morning to the news that country music legend, Toby Keith, passed away after his battle with stomach cancer.

Toby was an amazing songwriter and musician, but as an NYPD 9/11 First Responder, he held a very dear place in my heart. While he is known for such hits as: Should’ve Been a Cowboy, Whiskey Girl, Beer For My Horses, and How Do You Like Me Know? the song that resonated deepest for me was: Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue.

In the aftermath of the 9/11 Terror Attacks, there were three defining songs: Alan Jackson’s Where Were You? Darryl Worley’s Have You Forgotten, and the aforementioned Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue. These songs seemed to encapsulate the many emotions we faced as a nation: Pain and Resolve.

Toby put into words what we were all feeling in those dark days of September:

“Now this nation that I love has fallen under attack
A mighty sucker punch came flyin' in from somewhere in the back
Soon as we could see clearly
Through our big black eye
Man, we lit up your world
Like the fourth of July”

I remember once reading that it was a controversial song, and a knee-jerk reaction, and I felt dismayed. America is not perfect, but no country ever is, but there is a reason why everyone looks to us; wants to come here. For all our faults, we stand as a beacon for freedom and liberty. Our politicians might suck, but the average American has a heart of gold and will give you the shirt off their back if you are in need. We look upon the American flag with reverence, because we know the awful price that has been paid for the freedoms we enjoy. To paraphrase USMC General James Mattis, America is "No Better Friend, No Worse Enemy."

It is a sad day for me, but, like so many of country music’s great singers, Toby’s music will live on. Outspoken, fearless, and unapologetically patriotic, he was undeniably country and he famously put into words what we were all feeling so many years ago. As a cancer survivor, and someone who lost his partner to this cruel disease, let me say this from the bottom of my heart: Fuck Cancer.

God Bless and Rest in Peace, Toby.

SHADOW STRIKE (The Next James Maguire Novel)

Well, I’m excited to announce the latest James Maguire novel, SHADOW STRIKE, is finished and is now available for PREORDER on Amazon. It will deliver / ship after February 28th, 2024.

This novel is a prequel story from James’ time in the Navy SEALs, but it ties in with the rest of the series and chronologically comes in after GLASS CASTLE.

In the heart-pounding thriller SHADOW STRIKE, Navy SEAL James Maguire embarks on a perilous covert mission that will push him to the limits of his training and loyalty. Tasked by the CIA to eliminate a high-ranking cartel member in Mexico, Maguire expects danger and risk, but nothing prepares him for the treacherous web of deception that awaits him.

As the mission unravels disastrously, Maguire finds himself stranded in a hostile foreign land, abandoned and left to fend for himself. Determined to uncover the truth behind the botched operation, he embarks on a relentless quest to identify the mole who sold them out to the very enemy they sought to destroy.

With time running out and danger at every turn, Maguire must rely on an unlikely alliance with an old Special Forces friend and a reluctant Mexican cop. Amidst the chaos and adrenaline-fueled action, unexpected emotions flare, adding another layer of complexity to an already precarious situation.

In a high-stakes game of cat and mouse, Maguire races against the clock to outwit the shadows that threaten to engulf him. As secrets are unearthed and loyalties are tested, he must confront the sinister forces at work in the war on drugs.

SHADOW STRIKE is a gripping tale of honor, betrayal, and vengeance that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. Will Maguire uncover the truth behind the betrayal? Can he navigate the deadly labyrinth of cartels and deceit to achieve the justice he seeks? Dive into this heart-racing adventure as Maguire battles not only the ruthless cartels but also the haunting shadows of guilt lurking within his own heart.

REMEMBERING SEPTEMBER 10TH, 2001

“Where were you on September 11th, 2001?”

It’s a question I have heard asked countless times over the last two plus decades. Everyone recalls where they were on that fateful day when they heard the news about the terrorist attacks in NYC, Shanksville, PA and the Pentagon. I’m no different, and I wrote about my story in my book: Where Was God? An NYPD first responder’s search for answers following the terror attack of September 11th 2001.

But for many of us, the memories of 9/11 don’t begin on that day. There is an emotional lead up that culminates in 9/10; the last day before our world was forever and irrevocably changed. I’m sure if I had the chance to speak with a veteran who was at Pearl Harbor on December 6th, 1941, they would share the same story. Remembering the last time that things were ever ‘normal.’

I remember September 10th.

I spent the evening watching Monday Night Football, sitting in bed feeling frustrated, because I had to get up early the next morning to cover the NYC primary election. I was glued to the game, watching my beloved NY Giants eventually lose to the Denver Broncos.  

That’s my last memory of normal.

At that time I had been a cop for over 15 years. I thought I had seen just about everything, but a few hours after waking up, I would learn just how wrong I was.

For the 23 members of the service we lost on 9/11, they never enjoyed another normal day. Twenty-Two years later, many of us have been forced to embrace a new normal, as we struggle with health issues due to exposure of toxins at Ground Zero. The scourge of cancer almost loses its sting when you realize that it is most likely not a question of if, but when.

You reflect a lot on the fact that 9/11 wasn’t a singular terrorist attack, but a generational one that continues to claim lives two decades later. It’s difficult to embrace normal when you get constant notifications alerting you that we’ve lost another first responder to a 9/11 illness.   

Tomorrow politicians and pundits will dust off the tired old mantra: Never Forget, but the reality is we are forgotten; only remembered one day a year and then put back into the closest until the next anniversary. The majority of them have never had to struggle with having a normal day. The constant political fight to fund the 9/11 Health Program proves just how quickly they forget and move on.

Today I reflect on what life was like before that day and tomorrow I will mourn those we lost; killed in the initial attack or its lingering aftermath. Tomorrow will be about ‘remembering the heroes,’ but knowing that the door will close again on September 12th for another year.

WTC Cross Photo courtesy of Anne Bybee-Williams © 2001

Interview with Sgt. Betsy Brantner Smith (National Police Association)

I had the absolute pleasure of being interviewed by retired sergeant, Betsy Brantner Smith, for the podcast she does for the National Police Association.

Some of you might be familiar with Betsy, as she has appeared on a number of news shows, including Newsmax, and Fox.

Despite some minor technical glitches (rural internet being what it is), we managed to have a great time. Betsy is an awesome interviewer and we touched on a number of topics, including my career with the NYPD, my transition to author, and the state of policing.

I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Click on the photo below or the link provided at the botom.

or CLICK HERE: https://www.thefirsttv.com/watch/npa-report-andrew-g-nelson

New Book: James Maguire Origin Story

Those of you who familiar with the James Maguire series will know that before he joined the NYPD he was a US Navy SEAL. I have had an idea sitting on the backburner for a few years and decided that I would pursue it and have enjoyed writing this new story.

This story centers around Maguire’s time in the SEAL teams and has him being sent to Mexico on a clandestine operation. I don’t want to give too many details away, so I’ll just attach an image and let your imagination run with it.

The book is about 80% complete and I hope to have it available shortly. I’ll update you on the progress as it gets closer to publication.

Once again, that you for your continued support.

If you are interested in learning more about my books, please check out my Amazon Page