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Jeff Shaw

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Who I Am: The Man Behind the Badge Kindle Edition

by Jeff Shaw (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

4.6 237 ratings

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Award-Winning Finalist in the Autobiography/Memoir category of the 2021 International Book Awards

Think you know what a police officer does every day? You think Hollywood gets it right?
Unless you’ve been out there, you don’t know. Nothing you see on the big screen or on television in the safety of your home can prepare you for what we do every day.
Night after night, we deal with the worst society can throw at us, then we go home, sit with our loved ones and pretend we’re okay. But sometimes…we are not okay.
In Who I Am: The Man Behind the Badge, I’m going to describe all the gore, all the horrors and all the emotions I felt, not to gross you out but to let you know what I experienced.
If you find any of these stories disturbing or uncomfortable, then I have accomplished my goal—because I was equally disturbed and uncomfortable. And I live with these memories every day.

"You will not be able to put this book down as you follow the author through his career, call by call, experiencing in raw, graphic, and gut wrenching language what would become a normal day for him and members of the Hialeah Police Department during the turbulent 1980’s and 90’s. You will never look at a law enforcement officer the same again…. So slide into his patrol car, buckle up, and prepare yourself for the realities of law enforcement and the ride of your life." —Retired Deputy Chief Edward L. Beyer, Jr. Hialeah Police Department

"Written by a seasoned veteran of a major police department, it doesn’t get more real than this. Gritty, brutally honest and intensely personal, this is a must read for anyone in law enforcement, contemplating a career in law enforcement, or has a loved one in law enforcement. This book shines a glaring spotlight on some of the many reasons every citizen should back the blue." —Patricia L. Diaz Retired U.S. Federal Prosecutor and wife of a retired homicide detective

Editorial Reviews

Review

You will not be able to put this book down as you follow the author through his career, call by call, experiencing in raw, graphic, and gut wrenching language what would become a normal day for him and members of the Hialeah Police Department during the turbulent 1980's and 90's. You will never look at a law enforcement officer the same again....
So slide into his patrol car, buckle up, and prepare yourself for the realities of law enforcement and the ride of your life.
--Retired Deputy Chief Edward L. Beyer, Jr.
Hialeah Police Department

Written by a seasoned veteran of a major police department, it doesn't get more real than this. Gritty, brutally honest and intensely personal, this is a must read for anyone in law enforcement, contemplating a career in law enforcement, or has a loved one in law enforcement. This book shines a glaring spotlight on some of the many reasons every citizen should back the blue.
--Patricia L. Diaz
Retired U.S. Federal Prosecutor
and wife of a retired homicide detective

About the Author

Jeff was born and raised in the Miami area of South Florida.He joined the Hialeah Police Department in 1979 when he was twenty-six and worked for twenty-four years retiring in 2003.He served in various capacities after graduating from the Miami-Dade Criminal Justice Institute; including road patrol, training advisor, classroom instructor, firearms instructor, special weapons and tactics (SWAT), field training officer, communications sergeant, patrol sergeant, hostage negotiator and homicide supervisor.He now lives in the North Georgia mountains with his wife Susan.

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0857HVBLH
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Mountain Arbor Press (April 3, 2020)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 3, 2020
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 1.8 MB
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Print length ‏ : ‎ 253 pages

Best Sellers Rank: #944,123 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #339 in Biographies of Law Enforcement
- #1,228 in Law Enforcement Biographies

Customer Reviews:
4.6 237 ratings

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Jeff Shaw

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Jeff Shaw is an award-winning, best-selling author of The Bloodline series: Lieutenant Trufant, LeAnn and the Clean Man, and Broken. Jeff served twenty-four years in law enforcement and after retiring, wrote his memoir, Who I Am: The Man Behind the Badge. He has written several short stories and continues to write today. When not writing he spends his time relaxing with his wife Susan on the porch of their North Georgia home.

Customer reviews

237 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book easy to read and well-written. They appreciate the author's insight and personal perspective into police work. The account is described as authentic, factual, and vivid. Readers find the stories interesting and captivated by the inside stories. The book brings up many emotions for them, including tragic situations.

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Readability Writing style Insight Authenticity Storytelling Emotion Ease of reading

25 customers mention "Readability"25 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's readability. They find it engaging and say it's a great first book for the writer. The writing style is described as fabulous and the reader feels like they are right there. The book takes readers through regular events that take place during the author's workday.

"...Such emotion was poured into this book. I could feel it. GREAT read!!" Read more

"...I hope you enjoy this as much as I have. It is well worth the read and will leave you with a different perspective of the police and their job as it..." Read more

"...Great read!!" Read more

"...Her Shopping Cart was still full of Cash. Great Book Jeff, thank you for telling our story." Read more

16 customers mention "Writing style"16 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the writing style of the book. They find it well-written and easy to read, with truth and wisdom about the tribulations of a seasoned police officer. The author is articulate and details his law enforcement career in a straightforward manner. Readers appreciate the descriptiveness of each chapter and the raw detail about the good and bad experiences.

"Told from raw experience and from the heart. A man who dedicated over 20 years protecting us." Read more

"...Bottom line: Jeff has great talent at telling stories, and excellent talent at putting them to paper. I could feel the emotions as I read...." Read more

"...the law enforcement family myself for many years, Jeff Shaw tells it all in raw detail---the good & the bad...." Read more

"...I appreciate the openness and honesty of his perspective and I'm so glad he shared it so willingly." Read more

15 customers mention "Insight"15 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the author's insights into police work. They find the book provides a realistic view of the lives of underappreciated officers, providing an inside look at their emotions and thought processes. The book details the author's career as a police officer from recruit to retirement. It puts things into perspective for readers and puts the work into context.

"...His personal stories touched my heart immensely. Such emotion was poured into this book. I could feel it. GREAT read!!" Read more

"...But Jeff gives a lot of very personal insight into himself, where he is coming from, how he has been affected...." Read more

"...Jeff has a way to extract and bring you these real life experiences. Thanks Jeff, for not wasting your GOD given talents...." Read more

"...In his writing, he provides so much clarity on what happens as you spend your life dealing with the worst aspects of our society while trying to..." Read more

14 customers mention "Authenticity"14 positive0 negative

Customers find the book authentic and detailed. They describe it as a true, factual account of life as a law enforcement officer in South Florida. The stories are real and unembellished, with no exaggeration. Readers appreciate the detailed descriptions and action-packed narrative.

"...chatting with a cop at a party though, there are no exaggerations to try and impress anyone...." Read more

"...I could feel the emotions as I read. They were real; they brought tears to the eyes...." Read more

"...This is the REAL THING when it came to working LE in SO Florida those crazy years...." Read more

"Leaving a comment on a fictional story is easy......but this is way to real...." Read more

12 customers mention "Storytelling"12 positive0 negative

Customers find the storytelling engaging and interesting. They describe the book as a collection of experiences throughout the author's career as a law enforcement officer. The stories are independent and compelling, providing a direct perspective on the life of a police officer.

"...However, it gave me such detailed insight into things police officers see and do each and every day to protect our communities...." Read more

"...Each of these stories, which really happened, are so intriguing that you want to read the next and can easily find yourself reading most of the..." Read more

"...It is more of a documentary that captures you because it is genuinely interesting and you have no idea where the next chapter is going to take you,..." Read more

"...Now I know better. I was captivated by the inside stories of this man's gritty personal experience as a law enforcement officer and homicide..." Read more

11 customers mention "Emotion"11 positive0 negative

Customers find the book compelling, gritty, and honest. They say it brings back memories and triggers emotions. The stories include tragic situations that help readers understand the author's experiences as a police officer.

"...His personal stories touched my heart immensely. Such emotion was poured into this book. I could feel it. GREAT read!!" Read more

"...and chatting with an off-duty cop at a party, you go through stories of real calls and experiences...." Read more

"...I could feel the emotions as I read. They were real; they brought tears to the eyes...." Read more

"Compelling, gritty, and visceral. This is the ultimate police ride-along over a 24-year career in law enforcement...." Read more

4 customers mention "Ease of reading"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to read and engaging. They say it's straightforward and hard to put down.

"...put into words what I suppose most Cops experience daily in an easy and fluid manner...." Read more

"...Jeff explains that in an eloquent and straightforward way. Walks the reader thru regular events that comprised most of his work day...." Read more

"Nothing to dislike.. Well written and hard to put down. Very professional. This is not about cases he solved with out fellow officers help...." Read more

"Easy to read and hard to put down..." Read more

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Becky A.
Loved this Insight into a Police Officer's Life!
Reviewed in the United States on April 22, 2024
Verified Purchase

Having a son who was in law enforcement in the City of Chicago, I will admit, I was a bit hesitant to read Jeff's book. However, it gave me such detailed insight into things police officers see and do each and every day to protect our communities. His personal stories touched my heart immensely. Such emotion was poured into this book. I could feel it. GREAT read!!

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2 people found this helpful

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Michael R Rosengaus
Easy to read and hard to put down
Reviewed in the United States on May 11, 2020
Verified Purchase
This book is a collection of experiences throughout a career as a law enforcement officer. Almost like sitting and chatting with an off-duty cop at a party, you go through stories of real calls and experiences. This is what makes it so easy to read; you can stop at any time and not really lose your place because they're independent stories. Each of these stories, which really happened, are so intriguing that you want to read the next and can easily find yourself reading most of the book in one sitting.

Unlike chatting with a cop at a party though, there are no exaggerations to try and impress anyone. On the contrary, the true emotion portrayed in the book are such that few people could ever vocalize them to anyone, let alone in a group setting. This intimacy leaves you peeking behind the badge and seeing the vulnerabilities of not only the officer, but the man.

I hope you enjoy this as much as I have. It is well worth the read and will leave you with a different perspective of the police and their job as it's not only what you see on YouTube.

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4 people found this helpful

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Floyd Hensley
Good Read
Reviewed in the United States on August 1, 2020
Verified Purchase
Told from raw experience and from the heart. A man who dedicated over 20 years protecting us.

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2 people found this helpful

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D G
You won't be able to put it down.
Reviewed in the United States on April 26, 2020
Verified Purchase
Officers all have tales to tell, but very few have the ability to put pen to paper and tell those tales in a manner that could hold another’s attention for long. In this book, Jeff achieves that and so much more.
I started reading “The Man Behind The Badge” the day after it arrived in my mailbox. Right off the bat, I realized that the title of the book is quite literal; Jeff is telling his personal tale, he is not attempting to speak for all of us, although, he does interject that his experiences are not necessarily unlike those of others. And some of the stories are those relayed to him by others. But Jeff gives a lot of very personal insight into himself, where he is coming from, how he has been affected. Very few cops will share that with you.
I found out quickly, that I had difficulty putting the book down. It isn’t a thriller novel with plot and sub plots that capture your interest and make you want to read to see what is going to happen to the lead character. It is more of a documentary that captures you because it is genuinely interesting and you have no idea where the next chapter is going to take you, because it isn’t following a plot timeline. Yes, I did put it down once, at the end of chapter 27, and let it set on the counter for a day or two. Not because I had lost interest, but because he touched on a scene that was difficult for me to cope with. But I went back to the book and had to finish it, read it to the end.
Bottom line: Jeff has great talent at telling stories, and excellent talent at putting them to paper. I could feel the emotions as I read. They were real; they brought tears to the eyes. The stories were told in a straightforward manner, no exaggeration, matter-of-factly. This was a very well written book and I would recommend it to cops and non-cops alike. If you have a family member who is, or was a cop, you need to read this book.

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3 people found this helpful

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George Fraga
Outstanding True book
Reviewed in the United States on April 22, 2023
Verified Purchase
What an outstanding talent Jeff has to put his experiences in words. This is the REAL THING when it came to working LE in SO Florida those crazy years. Jeff has a way to extract and bring you these real life experiences. Thanks Jeff, for not wasting your GOD given talents. Highly recommend you get a copy and get a FEEL for what it was like.

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2 people found this helpful

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patricia cherwin
Accurate portrayal
Reviewed in the United States on June 30, 2020
Verified Purchase
Having been part of the law enforcement family myself for many years, Jeff Shaw tells it all in raw detail---the good & the bad. He has written a narrative that touches all the bases--both on & off duty. Many people don't realize the personal toll this job entails. I wish--because of the current events--more people would read his book & not judge ALL LEO's by the actions of a few. I was married to a LEO during the Miami riots of 1980 -terrified that my two small children's dad wouldn't come home. He did come home every night & I would listen to him "vent" about the horrors of the rioting & what the LEOs were subjected to. I have to admit I had to put Jeff's book down for several weeks - I got stuck on a particular incident that I discovered I had never fully dealt with while with HPD. Hopefully now--with Jeff & other POs help--I feel I have found peace. Thank you Jeff for writing this book!

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2 people found this helpful

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richwalkup
A truly insightful and direct perspective of the life of a police officer.
Reviewed in the United States on July 18, 2020
Verified Purchase
Disclaimer: I have known Jeff for over 15 years because our wives are very close friends. Throughout those years I have become friends with Jeff but on numerous occasions I have found him to be quiet, hard to read, overly-protective, emotionally distant, and I now know why.

In his writing, he provides so much clarity on what happens as you spend your life dealing with the worst aspects of our society while trying to stay emotionally detached so you can function as a "normal human" in your every day life. From the perspective of a man who has seen some of our country's most violent crimes first hand (cocaine cowboys, 1980s Miami, drug warlord, street riot level), you get a glimpse into the emotions and thought processes that take place in the moment. Making split second decisions that could impact the fate of the suspect or your partner or worse yet, you. He even makes mention of his run-ins with bad cops and his disdain for how they tarnish the reputation of so many good ones. I have a new found respect for my friend and for law enforcement in general. I appreciate the openness and honesty of his perspective and I'm so glad he shared it so willingly.

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Top reviews from other countries

Lorraine Garant
Epic novel
Reviewed in Canada on July 2, 2020
Verified Purchase

I really enjoyed reading Jeff Shaw's book about the trials and tribulations of a police officer. The stories he tells are compelling and awe inspiring. It's a great book to read especially with what is going on in the world today and groups wanting to defund police. We desperately need our brave police officers to protect us and keep our world safe.

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Kindle Customer
So good!
Reviewed in Australia on May 6, 2021
Verified Purchase
One of the best memoirs I have read about policing. It's easy to watch TV series that aren't real, or even the shows that are real, but rarely are they from the first responder point of view. Thoroughly enjoyed the read and the author's style.

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Who I Am: The Man Behind the Badge Kindle Edition

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5.0 out of 5 stars Loved this Insight into a Police Officer's Life!

5.0 out of 5 stars Easy to read and hard to put down

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Read

5.0 out of 5 stars You won't be able to put it down.

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding True book

5.0 out of 5 stars Accurate portrayal

5.0 out of 5 stars A truly insightful and direct perspective of the life of a police officer.

Top reviews from other countries

5.0 out of 5 stars Epic novel

5.0 out of 5 stars So good!

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Loved this Insight into a Police Officer's Life!

Easy to read and hard to put down

Good Read

You won't be able to put it down.

Outstanding True book

Accurate portrayal

A truly insightful and direct perspective of the life of a police officer.

Epic novel

So good!