GUARDIANS IN BLUE

by Ken Bangs 

Genre: Historical Fiction / Mystery

Publisher: Black Rose Writing

Date of Publication: March 31, 2016

# of pages: 382

A fatherless boy growing up in a small Texas town is taken under wing by the local lawmen. They work with the town leaders to provide his basic needs and help him escape the shame and poverty of his circumstances. One in particular becomes his guardian.

He teaches the boy about life, how to face his fears, that honor is more important than comfort and that defending those who cannot defend themselves is the highest duty of a man.

The boy learns the lessons well. He hears the call and his heart opens to it. He too becomes a Guardian.

 This is the novelized story of the authors’ thirty-seven years service in law enforcement and public safety. It is unique in that the reader is given an inside look at what motivates one to the calling and the process of becoming a police officer.

It is told from the first person perspective of one who walked a beat in downtown Dallas at the age of 19, answered the calls as a radio patrol officer and worked the cases as a detective.

It gives an inside look at the understanding of not only the criminal act but the issues that lead to criminality and the processes by which criminal justice professionals identify and apprehend those responsible for given crimes.

Drawing on interviews/interrogations of criminals the author provides an exposé of the experiences, the anger, and the fantasy that captures the mind and controls the will of those who rape, rob, and kill.

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PRAISE FOR GUARDIANS IN BLUE

“As a man who was privileged to work the streets with Ken Bangs, I can tell you that he was the Guardian.  If you want to understand police work at the base level, then The Guardians is a must read.  It goes beyond the violence and the sensationalism and gives you a window into the hearts and souls of those men and women who ride toward danger when everyone else runs away.”  — Doug Sword, Captain of Police (Retired), Dallas Police Department

“Guardians In Blue is an action packed book about actual crimes from the Dallas Police files.  These cases as retold by Ken bangs come alive in a format that makes you feel like you are at the location and involved in the investigations.”  — Gary Holly, Retired Police Officer

“The story is so realistic; it so reveals the rawness of life experienced by a police officer that any who have ever worn the badge will be drawn in as they see themselves in the Guardians.” — G. David Payne, Lieutenant of Police (Retired), Dallas Police Department

Where did your love of books/storytelling/reading/writing/etc. come from?

I am a Texan. Need I say more?

How long have you been writing?

Writing — narrative reporting actually — has been part of my entire professional life. As a uniformed police officer (first responder), it was important to present the facts succinctly in a format enabling the detectives to quickly pick up the thread of events leading to the crime and move forward with the investigation.

As a detective, it was important to summarize the facts in a manner that would aid the prosecutor in the courtroom presentation. As a magistrate, the ability to articulate the evidence presented, your evaluation of the evidence and the application of the relevant law with the rendering of your decision, in a clear and concise manner, were important.  As a counselor, the reduction of evaluation (formalized assessment), treatment plan, therapy notes and case reports should provide a record of the journey from issue to solution.

So, you see I have been engaged in illustrative, creative, writing some 49 years. However, my first novel was started in 2012 and published in 2013.

What do you think most characterizes your writing?

Hopefully my writing is characterized by the artful articulation of reality.

What cultural value do you see in writing/reading/storytelling/etc.?

Wow, what an interesting question. So, let’s address it by reversing the words cultural and value. Now allow me to address the question by saying that I believe writing becomes a value to the culture (society) in which the story line is based when it brings to light, encourages, produces questions, and suggests solutions to given behaviors within said society.

How does Guardians In Blue relate to your spiritual practice or other life path?

All of my books contain references to my faith and belief systems. I try to state them in a straightforward manner that provides insight without declaring exclusivity.

What did you enjoy most about writing this book?

In Warriors and Guardians, I enjoyed bringing to light that which was unknown to the general public and in giving credit long delayed to those who by action of government or the indifference of command had never received it.

What was the hardest part of writing this book? 

This book? Let’s take two of the listed books, Arctic Warriors and Guardians In Blue. In both. the act of writing brought the events forward from their position(s) deep in my memory to the instant. The pain was so real that I was often reduced to tears and had to stop writing as my subconscious released that which it had repressed.

Are there under-represented groups or ideas featured if your book? 

Every day, all around this celestial globe, the men and women of our armed forces stand against tyranny in defense of liberty. On a regular basis, these Warriors are dispatched on assignment(s) that place them in direct armed conflict with the tyrannical forces opposing liberty. Many if not most of these events are never known of by the public and never acknowledged by the government. These then are the perfect illustration of the unsung heroes of freedom.

Not all Guardians wear blue but all who wear blue must serve as guardians. Many have told the story of the street cop because of the action.  But few have provided a behind the scenes look at the reason(s) one becomes a guardian, the process involved in the journey, the failures, and the pain and the joy of being there for those who need a guardian. I try to do this in Guardian.

How do we help those in need within our community?

Stop looking and start acting. Get involved with the many aid organizations. Help establish safe places for abused women and children. Back the Blue in their efforts to provide a safe and secure environment, do not let the fringe elements control by fear and intimidation. Get involved…you don’t have to wear blue to be a guardian…you don’t have to step between combatants…see, report, and be willing to testify.

Who would you cast to play your characters in a movie version of your book?

A young Robert Duvall, a young Tommy Lee Jones, and of course George C. Scott.

Who are some of your favorite authors you feel were influential in your work?  What impact have they had on your writing?

I love James Michener. I read a lot of John Grisham.  Their ability to tell the story in an entertaining manner is what I want.

What literary character is most like you?

Hmmmm….maybe Captain Augustus McCrae in Lonesome Dove or Horatio Hornblower in the C.S. Forester sea novels.

What book do you wish you could have written?

To Kill A Mockingbird, Texas, Lonesome Dove, and Roots

If you were a superhero, what would your name be? What costume would you wear?

Patton, the uniform of the United States of America. Corny, okay. But you asked and I answered.

If you were an animal in a zoo, what would you be?

An Elephant.  Live long, don’t worry about weight or wrinkles.

If you could speak with any accent from anywhere in the world, what would you choose?

I speak with the accent that I most desire —- TEXAS

Ken spent 35 years in public safety. A veteran of the United States Army, he was with the military police in the Alaskan Command.  He holds a B.S. in Criminal Justice from Sam Houston State University, M.S. in Human Relations / Business Management from Amberton University, and a Doctorate of Ministry in Christian Counseling from Jacksonville (Florida) Theological Seminary.  Ken and his wife, Trudy, have been married 46 years. They live in McKinney, Texas.

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Check out the other great blogs on the tour! 

6/28    My Book Fix Blog – Review
6/29    Books and Broomsticks – Excerpt #1
6/30    Missus Gonzo  – Review
7/1       The Crazy Booksellers – Promo
7/2       StoreyBook Reviews  – Author Interview #1
7/3       The Librarian Talks – Review
7/4       It’s a Jenn World – Guest Post
7/5       The Page Unbound  – Excerpt #2
7/6       Country Girl Bookaholic  – Review
7/7       Margie’s Must Reads – Author Interview #2

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