Beach Nights and Blue Lights

The decision to write Beach Nights and Blue Lights arose after sharing his stories online, where they quickly gained popularity. These anecdotes—while not always in chronological order—offer readers a collection of entertaining and thought-provoking moments that shaped David’s life and career.

David’s hope is that the book will evoke a sense of nostalgia for those familiar with the Atlantic Beach area and provide an inside look at a bygone era of policing that could have happened in any small town. His stories reflect the highs and lows of the profession, with themes of friendship, loss, and growth..

Through Beach Nights and Blue Lights, David invites readers to join him on a journey through a world that no longer exists. One filled with memories of youthful summers, late-night patrols, and unforgettable encounters along North Carolina’s coast.

David offers a vivid, personal account of his early years in law enforcement, starting in 1975 with the Atlantic Beach Police Department. David reflects on a transformative era in eastern North Carolina. Recounting his experiences working at the once-vibrant Atlantic Beach Circle, an iconic hub of nightlife that has since vanished, replaced by modern developments but preserved in his memories.

Beach Nights And Blue Lights blends humor, nostalgia, and insight as David shares stories about everything from strange arrests to moments of deep camaraderie among officers. Each chapter transports readers to the world of small-town policing during the 1970s and 1980s, capturing the quirks and challenges of law enforcement before the age of modern technology.

Through David’s eyes, readers experience not only the chaos of summer beach crowds but also the unique bond among officers who navigated the unpredictability of the job.

David Bratton, the author of Beach Nights and Blue Lights, lives in the small community of Newport, just a few miles from the scenic coast of Carteret County, North Carolina. His law enforcement career began in 1975 at the Atlantic Beach Police Department, where one summer of policing was said to be the equivalent of two years at other departments. The vibrant and chaotic Atlantic Beach Circle, with its dance clubs and bars, became the backdrop for some of David’s most memorable experiences—a place that has since disappeared, replaced by condos and homes, but lives on in his stories.

After years of honing his skills in Atlantic Beach, David retired in 2018 as a captain and second-in-command at the Havelock Police Department, next to Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point in Craven County. His career spanned over four decades, offering him unique insight into the complexities of human nature, witnessing both the best and worst in people.

David lives with his wife of 48 years, Becky, with whom he shares a rich family life. Together, they have two children, four grandchildren, one great-grandchild, and a special non-biological granddaughter. Through Beach Nights and Blue Lights, David invites readers to join him on a journey through a world that no longer exists—one filled with memories of youthful summers, late-night patrols, and unforgettable encounters along North Carolina’s coast.