Behind and Beyond the Badge: Stories from the Village of First Responders with Cops, Firefighters, Dispatchers, Forensics, and Victim Advocates

There is so much more to a police officer's badge, to any badge that all first responders wear. But that's what the world sees--a badge. What's behind and beyond that badge is what people need to know--the person. In BEHIND AND BEYOND THE BADGE, Donna Brown takes you to those places that few see. She shows you that those behind the badge may wear a different uniform than other occupations, but they too have families. They too pay bills, and they love the communities where they live and serve. Each one faces all that life has to offer, good and bad. They have dreams just like you, and they continue to give even after their law enforcement careers ends. The difference between their jobs and most other professions is that a first responder might not come home from work at the end of the day. Each has lost a coworker who died in the line of duty, someone who may have also been a friend, a family member, or even a spouse, because while others run from danger, they run to it. They do this for you. So now, open the cover, and meet some of these amazing people!

About the Author :
Donna Brown began her twenty- six-year career in law enforcement when women were still relatively new to the profession. Like most new police officers, Donna began her career working the streets answering calls for service. She then started training new recruits and turned that passion into teaching department wide, at the academy, and to community groups. When she was promoted to sergeant, she remained on the streets and continued training new recruits. Career progression moved Donna to the Criminal Investigation Division where she spent fifteen years, ten years supervising the Homicide Unit. Donna received the Tallahassee Police Department'saward for bravery and the inaugural Commander and Chief's Award for Excellence, which at that time was the department's award for Officer of the Year. She was also recognized for her part with the Tallahassee Police Department's team that responded to South Florida days after Hurricane Andrew devastated that area. Donna knows that there is so much more behind the badge that people don't realize or understand. She had spent much of her career speaking to citizen groups in hope of educating and broadening minds about law enforcement. She grew up in Titusville, Florida, when the space industry was flourishing. Return trips are not as frequent as she'd like, but it's a place that she will always consider home. After graduating from Astronaut High School, she moved to Tallahassee, Florida, obtaining her bachelor of science degree from Florida State University in 1979. She's a proud Seminole! Donna is married, and together, they enjoy spending time with their four-legged fur babies, friends, and family, as well as playing golf.

Review :
"In BEHIND AND BEYOND THE BADGE, Brown offers a riveting probe into the inner trials and tribulations that many members of the law enforcement community endure during the course of their public service careers. The author applies her honed investigative skills to put the human dimension on full display. She artfully draws back the curtains that shroud the inner sanctuary of the police world and then escorts the reader into that inner circle. In one sense, this book is the law enforcement version of Dante's Inferno. Some travelers emerge relatively unscathed; others grapple mightily with their inner turmoil. Eventually, they forge ahead and gain passage to an entirely new path in their journey through life." DR. BILL DOERNER Professor (Retired) College of Criminology & Criminal Justice Florida State University Author of Victimology and Introduction to Law Enforcement: An Insider's View "As a retired law enforcement officer, BEHIND AND BEYOND THE BADGE made me proud as I read it. I know how special the folks were that I worked with for so many years, but to read about the people contained within these pages was just inspirational. This book is for everyone, first responder or not. It's a fast read with a huge 'wow factor' at the end of each story." Trish England Sergeant (Retired) Florida Highway Patrol "BEHIND AND BEYOND THE BADGE is a marvelous collection of stories coming straight from the law enforcement and first-responder communities. The stories provide details and highlights of hard-earned careers to include tragic officer deaths, violent crimes, and the bitter worst of humanity. But through it all, the duty of service persevered, and they survived to make it to the next stage in life, what new author Donna Brown calls 'Phase 2.' Brown, a retired police officer with an incredible resume in her own right, believes that making it to retirement to enjoy life in the next phase is what each and every law enforcement officer should strive for. She sums it up with a great quote, 'You spent many years giving OF yourself; it's time to give TO yourself.' For the past, present, and future law enforcement officers and first responders, this is a must read. WILLIAM MARK Award-winning author of Crossing the Blue Line and From Behind the Blue Line "Donna thank you! Thank you for sharing your story and the stories of many others who risked their lives in the service of saving lives and ensuring a community of safety and well-being. Your book is heartfelt; it's filled with interesting and uplifting stories of real people who made a significant difference and continue to do so in their 'PHASE 2' life." DR. CHERYL A. RAINEY Psychotherapist and Leadership Management Consultant Former First Responder, State of Florida Author of How to Hire and Keep a Winning Team, To the Top: How Extraordinary Leaders Lead in the Zone, and A Recipe for Silicon Valley Success?