When police knock on doors, it is seldom good news for those inside. I know; I knocked on doors. Easter 1981, NYC Transit Police Officer William Martin enjoyed dinner with his family. […]
Minesweepers of the Subway
Subway Guards to Police Professionals
Following my essays, you know my dad patrolled New York subways from 1931 to 1965. I was a Transit cop from 1966 to 1992. In researching those olden, but not-so-golden days, I […]
A Bullet’s Impact
The bullet hit the brass button on officer Melchiona’s hat—driving that button into his brain. PBA delegate Henry Melchiona sat in Donovan’s Pub with Brother Transit cops Joe Corcoran and Patty McDonald. […]
Sex Beneath the Surface.
It’s been ten years since Feb 2015 when I published this essay on my sunny side blog, Leebythesea. I thought I’d republish it here as well since it is more appropriate for […]
Incoming Mortar—Outgoing Purpose
The mortar round blew Bob Valentino off Mother Earth, and when he landed, blood spurted from his leg. Bob, a twenty-two-year-old infantry squad leader, was atop a hill in Vietnam. It was […]
My Dad, My Brother in Blue
“…a bond that will never be broken nor a journey forgotten.” After my dad died in 1979 I’d think of him often. But it was always as my dad. Not recently. Now […]
In the Path of Violent Death
They worked in the path of violent death…where bullets do fly…and families do cry. The entire country witnessed the funeral of Det. Steven Mcdonald at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in NYC. Bullets fired […]
Blood and Brotherhood
When the bloodied and ashen cop walked onto the train, the passengers screamed. She had eight months on the job, a cop working her subterranean beat…under the city of New York. Very […]
Fields of Concrete and Tile
“Dogs do speak, but only to those who know how to listen.” Orhan Pamuk We all love to see dogs run in fields, run through tall grass and flowers, over hills and […]
The Dash…of Life
The train’s motorman released the control handle, hydraulic brakes froze the wheels but the train hurtled on. Tombstones carry a dash between date of birth and date of death: Jan 1, 1955-Feb […]
Wherethesundontshine.net 