Unsolved: Cold-Case Homicides of Law Enforcement Officers

by James A. Bultema

Ripped from today's headlines, Unsolved is the first ever book to examine the sacrifices made by American's heroic law enforcement officers who were murdered while their killers escaped justice­. Left behind are devastated loved ones and a law enforcement agency hunting down the assassins. Building on years of comprehensive nationwide research, Bultema, a former LAPD cop, puts a story behind some of the names etched on police monuments across this country. Law enforcement officers make their living fighting crime. The death of an officer killed while on duty presents the most heartfelt crisis a department can face. Agencies make it their highest priority to solve the case and bring the murderers to justice. But it is not a perfect world and sometimes, they are not successful. Cold-Case Homicides of Law Enforcement Officers brings attention to this national tragedy. Building on two years of comprehensive nationwide research, Unsolved includes information on each fallen officer, his or her department and in many cases, an in-depth account of the murder. Unsolved is a touching tribute to these courageous law enforcement officers. Written by historian and former LAPD cop James Bultema, he is an author who understands policing in America. He is the author of the acclaimed books, Guardians of A History of the Los Angeles Police Department and The A Photographic History of Police Departments in the United States . Current LAPD Chief of Police Charlie Beck and former New York City Police Commissioner William Bratton thought so much of what Bultema had accomplished that they each wrote a foreword for these histories. For his new book, Cold-Case Homicides of Law Enforcement Officers , Bultema has compiled the first comprehensive national list of unsolved cases, including information on each fallen officer and, in many cases, an informed account of the officer's murder. Unsolved is a touching tribute to these courageous law enforcement officers.

Genres: Crime

384 pages, Paperback

Published June 15, 2018

About the author

James Bultema is a military combat veteran and a retired LAPD officer with over twenty-five years of experience on the streets of Los Angeles. His debut novel, Sea of Red, became a bestseller, earning six prestigious awards and recognition as one of the top military thrillers of 2023. Red Lines became a #1 Amazon Bestseller on its release. With a degree in history and a passion for thorough research, Bultema ensures his depictions of modern warfare and cutting-edge weaponry are as accurate as they are compelling. His riveting stories, full of unforgettable characters, resonate long after turning the final page. Bultema is working hard on his next book, Red Horizons, due in the Spring of 2026.

Reviews

[Delaina Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

I entered a giveaway for this book because I’m obsessed with shows like “Locked Up”. The book did not disappoint at all. I was astounded by how many law enforcement homicides go unsolved. The book was super easy to read and I loved how the chapters were split up by each officer. I highly recommend this book if you are interested in true crime type of stuff

[Roxanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a Goodreads win review. I really liked this book, as I can relate to it. My grandpa was a LAPD police detective and he worked on the Black Dahlia case. There was a lot of corruption in the dept. at that time. My uncle was on the vice squad and died on duty. These are great stories about homicides.

[Don · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had no idea there were so many cases. There is a good possibility that there are many more, as the author points out. This is a quick read and well worth the time.

The writing is average. It is almost conversational. The book does need an editor to look it over. There are too many times when the author uses a word incorrectly. For instance, there is a big difference between acquisitions and accusations ( p. 303). The book is arranged like a website. There are a lot of Google Maps photos.

This book is thought-provoking. In today's world, when we need to find a way to recruit many more cops, we learn that too often, people get away with murdering them. Any murder is a tragedy, but an unsolved police murder creates uncertainty in the police and the citizens they serve. If they can get away with killing a cop, what chance does anyone have for justice?

[Abbie Joiner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was completely up my alley. Enjoyed the history very much!