The book chronicles the law enforcement career of Author Maurice L. Landrum from his childhood to being sworn-in on May 2, 1983, as a Los Angeles Police Officer. This book contains the true story about street life and his career survival within the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD). During the earlier eighties, gang violence, narcotics, and homicides impacted the city of Los Angeles. This books focuses on the struggle to maintain peace and calm, as well as, policing often times with a lack of true leadership during some junctures of his career. Along the way, he experienced officer-involved-shootings, complaint investigations, and civil unrest.
On June 15, 2001, LAPD was served with a Federal Consent Decree. More importantly, during his tenure, LAPD loss 39 fallen heroes, all killed while "Protecting and Serving" in the line of duty. According to Maurice, it was a distinct honor and privilege to serve along side with some of the most talented and squared away police officers in the world. It was also a distinct honor to serve the citizens of Los Angeles with Pride, Integrity, and Guts.
Especially, those victims who could not protect or defend themselves from predators that roamed the streets and alley ways of Los Angeles. In April 1992, while assigned to South Bureau Homicide, the city experienced civil unrest referred to as, the "1992 LA Riots." During the riot, he was assigned to and investigated the ruthless rape/murder of a 15 year-old female victim by three documented gang members. They were subsequently captured, prosecuted, and convicted. Finally, no career would be complete without internal shenanigans by several so-called leaders. In the end, he retired honorably from the LAPD!