Best known for his Chicago-based mystery series (Time of the Assassins,
etc.), Holton, who died in 2001, compiled a compelling nonfiction collection of black officers' experiences in American law enforcement. While the majority of the 28 subjects, including Holton himself, belong to large metropolitan forces (Chicago, Los Angeles and New York), Holton also focuses on those who work for sheriff's departments, state police agencies and prisons. Notable highlights include Capt. Sam Welch of Indiana State Corrections, who observes that serving in Vietnam steeled him for working in prisons; Chicago PD Officer Tanya Junior, married to a fellow Chicago cop, who despite the dangers of her job considers herself just another public servant; and retired Chicago PD commander Hubert Holton (the author's father), who is proud that he and the author were the only father and son in the department's history to be commanders at the same time. Race is by no means the only unifying factor in these stories: the men and women Holton selected are all exemplary law enforcement officers committed to protecting and serving their communities. (Jan.)
