New Book Signing Scheduled

I’ll be signing copies of “The Sticking Place” at the Mysterious Galaxy bookstore’s holiday party in San Diego, on Saturday, December 11. You can check out the details at http://www.mysteriousgalaxy.com

A List of Signings Scheduled for “The Sticking Place”

Tuesday, November 23, at the Ashland, Oregon public library at 7:00 p.m. There’ll be a special guest reading by renowned Shakespearean actor and dramaturg, Barry Kraft. There’s also an after event get together at Enoteca, a great wine bar on Ashland’s plaza.

Saturday, December 4, at Four-Eyed Frog Books in Gualala, Ca at 4:00 p.m. It’s located at 39138 Ocean Drive in Gualala. Their phone number is 707-884-1333.

Thursday, December 9, at the San Diego Police Museum at 7:00 p.m. It’s located at 4710 College Avenue in San Diego.

Notes on the Grandeur of a Police Officer’s Funeral

Thousands show up for a slain police officer’s funeral and people inconvenienced in the traffic jam ask why.

Fellow officers travel the expanses of America to take their places in line and show support for the family and friends of someone they never knew. Hundreds of light bars flash and a sinuous line of cop cars begins an unearthly procession to a profoundly sad place. Why is this when other funerals happen elsewhere in more private and quiet settings?

The answer can be found in a quote from Sir William Temple. “Valor gives awe, and promises protection to those who (lack) heart or strength to protect themselves.” Chris Wilson, like his colleagues in police departments throughout the country, had a heart of valor.

The obvious adulation surrounding Officer Wilson on the occasion of his death isn’t solely because he was an honorable and valiant man, it’s because he represented all the honorable men and women who share his chosen calling. Just as he represented them in life, he represents them in death and his funeral is a reminder that there’s sometimes a high price to pay for the privilege of protecting others.