Uniform Decisions: My Life in the LAPD and the North Hollywood Shootout

by John Caprarelli, Lee Mindham

February 28, 1997, Los Angeles, California — After a botched robbery at a Bank of America branch in North Hollywood, two robbers armed with fully automatic assault rifles and wearing full body armor fired more than 1,100 rounds as they battled police. Eleven officers and two civilians were wounded. The two robbers, Emil Matasareanu and Larry Eugene Phillips Jr., were killed by gunfire. Officer John Caprarelli was one of the first officers at the scene. Before a national TV audience, he confronted one of the robbers, provoking a gun battle and exchanging numerous shots before the gunman fell. Officer Caprarelli was awarded the LAPD’s highest honor, the Medal of Valor, as well as a National Top Cops Award. In this memoir, John gives the reader a rare glimpse into his private life along with vivid recollections of events during his 27 year career with the LAPD culminating with a detailed breakdown of his thoughts and actions during the infamous bank robbery.

212 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 23, 2011

Reviews

[Autumn Stars · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book not only talked about his involvement with the shoot out but how it affected him during the shoot out and afterwards. How trauma can affect your mind, body and the people closest to you. Great book John

[Edward Saucedo · Rating 5 out of 5]

A True to Life Account

An exceptional insight into the life of a police officer. Things can happen in our world that stay with us for a long time, sometimes forever. This book encapsulates this very well.

[James Carpenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read

Great look inside a career in LE and the North Hollywood shootout! Up close and personal account of what you will experience after a shooting.

[Richard A Lambing · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read! I remember when that happened. I was a baby cop, with FWPD! We talked about it, during in service training.

[Diana Montgomery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Uniform Decisions
By: Lee Mindham

I know when we was offered this book to read I thought it’s a cop book. Not really up my alley. Well when I opened the first page I will say I was glued to it. Story of Officer John Caprarelli. The book was very exciting telling things he went through just to get on the force. The biggest thing was the North Hollywood Shootout. This was filled with lots of action. Reading through this knowing that a cop puts his life on the line to protect us. We need to think not only their life but their family at home and how it affects them also. There needs to be support out here for them and their families. John Caprerellli thanks for your service. The book was very well written if there is a second book I would be happy to read it.