The Last Ride of the Old Peacekeepers

Book excerpt: The Last Ride of the Old Peacekeepers is a compilation of over 125 stories and pictures of some of the hilarious, dangerous, and emotional interactions that Bill Matthews enjoyed during his thirty years in law eenforcement. He recalls moments when he was called upon to put his life on the line as well as behind-the-scenes details that never show up in incident reports. He also takes stock of those decisions that happen in a moment inside a moment—decisions that can and do change lives forever. Most of all, he celebrates the brotherhood of officers that he loves. The stories he shares all occurred from 1977 to 2008, before the reformation of police departments when officers were taught to use their hands without hesitation—to save the lives of suspects, the public, as well as their fellow officers. The overall account serves as an important reminder that police officers are human beings that work tirelessly to put away the bad guys to keep everyone safe.