The Graveyard Shift Blog
Since 2008, Lee Lofland has written over 2000 articles on his blog, The Graveyard Shift. Topics such as police procedure, forensics, criminal behavior, and what it’s like to be a cop has helped countless numbers of popular and aspiring writers.
His life’s mission – to remind writers that cordite is dead and gone. Just say no to cordite in your books!
Sheriff Joe Arpaio: Is He Really America’s Toughest Sheriff?
Or, is Joe Arpaio simply one of the best self-promoters of all time? Think about it, how many books could you sell if you had this famous lawman's platform? Certainly, not everyone agrees with Sheriff Joe's policies, but the man sure knows how…
Calling For A Few Good Books…and other cool stuff
In case you haven't heard, we're hosting a big event in September called the Writers' Police Academy. I'm pretty excited about the academy because it's truly one of the coolest writer's events ever (and I've attended more than my fair…
Friday’s Heroes: Remembering The Fallen
Corporal James J. Szuba, 42
Canine Ricky
Mishawaka Indiana Police Department
Corporal James Szuba and his canine partner, Ricky, were killed in an automobile accident during a high-speed pursuit on January 9, 2010.
Corporal Szuba…
Doin’ Time, Madoff Style
Federal prison differs quite a bit from the state-run big houses. Sure, the goal is the same, to lock up bad guys. But take a walk through each and you'd quickly see just how different they really are. For starters, federal prisons are normally…
Gardening In California: What a Weed Problem!
California...the place where raindrops are as scarce as hen's teeth, and the people, well, the people there are as fine as frog hair. Yep, California is the place where all the latest trends begin - where Botox is an afternoon snack, and…
Castle: A Rose For Everafter – A Review
Several years ago, in the late 90's, Alyssa Milano and I exchanged emails for a while - nearly every evening, actually. I really don't remember how we first connected, and I seriously doubt she even remembers the discussions, but I certainly…
The Police Exam: How Well Would You Score?
So, what can you expect to see on a police officer's entrance examination? Why is this test feared and dreaded by so many? Why does it cause grown men and women to lose precious sleep? Can it be that difficult?
The answers to those questions…
Weekend Road Trip: A Shift In The Graveyard
A Shift in the Graveyard
Young eyes, once twinkling lights of hope and promise, give way to fading dreams.
Age weathers outer shells, weakening once impenetrable barriers between health and disease.
Malignancy devastates…
Friday’s Heroes: Remembering The Fallen
Officer Maylon Thompson (Tommy) Bishop Jr., 63
Guntersville Alabama Police Department
Officer Tommy Bishop died on January 1, 2010 as a result of gunshot wounds he received sixteen years earlier. He'd responded to a domestic disturbance…
They Killed My Baby!
"They killed my baby!" cried the mother of a 32-year-old robbery suspect. "I want justice for my son. They didn't have to kill him. He's a good boy - a good father."
These are words that are often heard immediately after an officer-involved…
Police News, Fashion, And A Touch Of Juicy Gossip
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Gallatin County, Illinois Sheriff Raymond Martin
was sitting in the county jail last Saturday when his wife and son stopped by for a visit. Nothing odd about this scenario, right? Well, things weren't quite as normal as they…
Weekend Road Trip: Paul Beecroft In Hong Kong
Street Market
Street sign (read it carefully)
Aberdeen Harbor
Famous Jumbo Floating Restaurant in Aberdeen Harbour
Tram (yes they still have them)
Sign across Canton Road in Kowloon
Chinese…
2009: A Deadly Year
While many are celebrating the beginning of a new year, a year of hope, change, and new beginnings, others are mourning the loss of the center of their worlds.
The first police officer death in the line of duty occurred in 1792. Since then,…
Kicking Doors And Taking Prisoners
Ever wonder how cops manage to break in doors and windows when serving search warrants? The task is definitely not as easy as TV makes it look. A swift kick to a metal door normally breaks only one thing - the cop's foot. Of course, everyone…
Paul Beecroft: Extract From An English Notebook
My friend, Paul Beecroft, has spent a good deal of his life in law enforcement, in England. He's worked Foot Patrol, Area Car, Instant Response Car and also as a Police Motorcyclist. He's currently a coroner's investigator and has traveled all…
Jonathan Hayes: My Life In Blood
Jonathan Hayes (www.jonathanhayes.com) is a senior forensic pathologist in the New York City Medical Examiner's Office, and author of PRECIOUS BLOOD (Harper 2007) and A HARD DEATH (Harper, 2009). Jonathan is also a special guest speaker for…
Castle: Vampire Weekend and The Sing Off
This week's episode was another repeat. I can't say I was disappointed because the break allowed me to watch the final show of The Sing Off. Did you guys watch this? It was great! A capella groups competed for a top prize of $100,000 and a Sony…
Burglary Investigations
It's 9:00 pm on Christmas Eve and you're at a neighbor's house drinking eggnog and exchanging gifts. Meanwhile, a man jimmies open your bedroom window, climbs inside, and then steals your jewelry, a TV, and your signed copy of Police Procedure…