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Breaking Blue: Real Life Stories of Cops Falsely Accused
Body cams and dashcams have fundamentally transformed law enforcement in recent years. These innovations can help prove someone committed a crime, or didn't. Real-life footage has cleared people initially accused of wrongdoing, and in certain instances even implicated officers. But that same type of footage can also be used to clear police falsely accused of misdeeds. From allegations of harassment or bias to false arrests or even criminal conduct, these videos can prove officers did not cross a line as sometimes they are alleged to have done.
Breaking Blue is the first book that shares real stories of cops accused of wrongdoing and subsequently cleared. Charges may have been brought against them, Internal Affairs may have started an investigation, but in many cases, thanks to the officer’s body cam or dashcam videos, the true story came to light, with charges ultimately dismissed or initial convictions overturned. Sergeant Sean “Sticks” Larkin of the Tulsa Police Department Gang Unit and host of the Reelz show On Live, presents real stories of officers falsely accused. . .. including his own. ?presents real stories of officers falsely accused. . .. including his own. Now, we can finally get both sides of the story for citizens and the police officers hired to serve and protect.
- GenresNonfictionTrue Crime
255 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 15, 2021
57 people are currently reading
153 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
January 12, 2022
I really want to rate this book higher.
I loved watching "Sticks" on TV and I am a strong supporter of policing and have many friends who are active law enforcement officers. Philosophically I am 100% in agreement with Sticks premise that modern society rushes to judgment in the court of public opinion. That we are too easy to believe something bad about others especially when we may have disagreements with the accused. He points out how sometimes bad things happen to good people even the very systems we rely on to protect the innocent aren't perfect and work badly at times. I can agree with all of that.
He tells eight tragic stories in this book of police officers wrongly accused of a crime and shows in excruciating detail how their lives and the lives of their families were harmed. They are heartbreaking. Being falsely accused is probably a common human experience but when that accusation is for a crime committed by one sworn to uphold the law and protect the population that must be very difficult to bear.
Here is my personal bias. Every single law enforcement officer I've had direct personal interaction with is a Paladin. They went into the profession because they loved helping people. They hate injustice and go out of their way to help others. They do everything in their power to protect their communities. I admire them. I could not do their job. I am glad they are there. Are they or all their co-workers perfect? Gosh, no, no more than I am. We're all just humans and we make mistakes but most of us, I believe, are trying to be good people.
With all that praise why such a low rating? This book is really poorly told. The stories are all presented in a conversational style like we're sitting at a dinner table together and Sticks is telling us stories, with frequent asides about other people, commentary on technology and its uses, and reminiscing about various decades in history. While I think that would be awesome, and I'd pay money to sit at dinner with Sticks to hear these stories, in a book form it's jarring. It is hard to read when the flow of each story is constantly interrupted. So, in all honestly while I can tell people the stories in this book are well worth knowing, actually reading it is really difficult. It's enough to make me wonder if the audio book version (which I assume there is one, but I didn't look for because I never listen when I can read) would be better suited to the delivery of this content.
Thanks for writing the book, Sticks. The stories need to be told, and your plea for people to pause in their rush to judgement is timely and appreciated. Maybe we can have that dinner some time. My treat.
I loved watching "Sticks" on TV and I am a strong supporter of policing and have many friends who are active law enforcement officers. Philosophically I am 100% in agreement with Sticks premise that modern society rushes to judgment in the court of public opinion. That we are too easy to believe something bad about others especially when we may have disagreements with the accused. He points out how sometimes bad things happen to good people even the very systems we rely on to protect the innocent aren't perfect and work badly at times. I can agree with all of that.
He tells eight tragic stories in this book of police officers wrongly accused of a crime and shows in excruciating detail how their lives and the lives of their families were harmed. They are heartbreaking. Being falsely accused is probably a common human experience but when that accusation is for a crime committed by one sworn to uphold the law and protect the population that must be very difficult to bear.
Here is my personal bias. Every single law enforcement officer I've had direct personal interaction with is a Paladin. They went into the profession because they loved helping people. They hate injustice and go out of their way to help others. They do everything in their power to protect their communities. I admire them. I could not do their job. I am glad they are there. Are they or all their co-workers perfect? Gosh, no, no more than I am. We're all just humans and we make mistakes but most of us, I believe, are trying to be good people.
With all that praise why such a low rating? This book is really poorly told. The stories are all presented in a conversational style like we're sitting at a dinner table together and Sticks is telling us stories, with frequent asides about other people, commentary on technology and its uses, and reminiscing about various decades in history. While I think that would be awesome, and I'd pay money to sit at dinner with Sticks to hear these stories, in a book form it's jarring. It is hard to read when the flow of each story is constantly interrupted. So, in all honestly while I can tell people the stories in this book are well worth knowing, actually reading it is really difficult. It's enough to make me wonder if the audio book version (which I assume there is one, but I didn't look for because I never listen when I can read) would be better suited to the delivery of this content.
Thanks for writing the book, Sticks. The stories need to be told, and your plea for people to pause in their rush to judgement is timely and appreciated. Maybe we can have that dinner some time. My treat.
June 23, 2021
Everyone should read or listen to the beginning of this book. No matter which side they stand on. And intelligent people should read or listen to the whole book. Lt. Larkin's 25-year careet with the Tulsa Police Department is something he is rightly proud of. He served with honor and integrity with a sense of duty to ALL the people in his community. I'm glad he decided to narrate his own book. Yeah, I'm a fan of his from LIVE PD and LIVE PD PRESENTS: BODY CAM, and his voice is perfect for narrating his own story and the stories of the other officers falsely accused.Thanks, Sticks, for this book. And I'd still buy you a beer...
June 30, 2021
Breaking Blue
Sean Larkin’s book is definitely worth your time. Police officers will not be surprised by many of the details, but will be shocked by others. The stories are horrifying realizations of some of our worst fears.
Non law enforcement citizens can gain a lot of insight from the book also. It demonstrated the humanity of law enforcement, and stated openly the disfunction the justice system can engender, for cops and civilians.
Finally, a full disclosure and a testimony. I was a police officer with Sean during the entirety of his career. I can’t claim close ties, but enough to tell you the narrative you read is not contrived. One incident in particular demonstrated his heart to me. This is Sean.
So, buy the book. Read and learn.
Sean Larkin’s book is definitely worth your time. Police officers will not be surprised by many of the details, but will be shocked by others. The stories are horrifying realizations of some of our worst fears.
Non law enforcement citizens can gain a lot of insight from the book also. It demonstrated the humanity of law enforcement, and stated openly the disfunction the justice system can engender, for cops and civilians.
Finally, a full disclosure and a testimony. I was a police officer with Sean during the entirety of his career. I can’t claim close ties, but enough to tell you the narrative you read is not contrived. One incident in particular demonstrated his heart to me. This is Sean.
So, buy the book. Read and learn.
July 4, 2021
I'm a big fan of Sticks and Live PD. Breaking Blue gives the reader a quick glimpse of life as a law enforcement officer and the legal aspects of the job these men often encounter when they are falsely accused of a crime related to their investigations. Glaringly omitted from the book however, are any stories of female officers who were falsely accused. Also, with a couple exceptions, I just didn't find most of the stories all that compelling. Honestly, the majority of the book was just kind of boring. In comparison, James Casey, also of Live PD fame, wrote a book full of typos and grammatical errors, but I found it a much more interesting read. Breaking Bad isn't a terrible read, but it could have been so much better.
December 15, 2024
It's easy to see how some things evolve into a horror story, and Sean tells us how this happened to several officers. Sometimes a mistake, like having an affair, is all that is needed to ruin someone's reputation and employment esp. in law enforcement. Things are good, until they are not. For many officers, it meant many years of court proceedings to straighten out the situation, but sometimes it's never. Some shocking stories of what some people will do (including lawyers, judges) to ruin someone's life without the considering or revealing the truth.
October 23, 2021
As a huge fan of all things "Live PD", I was compelled to buy this offering from "Sticks".
The book was a real eye-opener, even though you hear stories of people wrongly accused quite regularly. The last story in the book, about Clyde Ray Spencer was absolutely heartbreaking and an abysmal reflection on the police dept. which brought the charges against him. Mr Spencer deserves and earned every moment of happiness he is now enjoying.
The book was a real eye-opener, even though you hear stories of people wrongly accused quite regularly. The last story in the book, about Clyde Ray Spencer was absolutely heartbreaking and an abysmal reflection on the police dept. which brought the charges against him. Mr Spencer deserves and earned every moment of happiness he is now enjoying.
May 2, 2023
I feel bad rating this so low. Sticks is awesome on Live PD and the second I heard he wrote a book I knew I had to read it.
Theoretically I should have loved this book. It's a nonfiction, written by an expert in the field, and it's about one of my interests... but I did not like it. The stories were interesting amd horrifying. It's awful that these men were imprisoned falsely. But the stories were not written well. They were more conversational and I do not like books like that.
Theoretically I should have loved this book. It's a nonfiction, written by an expert in the field, and it's about one of my interests... but I did not like it. The stories were interesting amd horrifying. It's awful that these men were imprisoned falsely. But the stories were not written well. They were more conversational and I do not like books like that.
August 3, 2021
The truth about the Blue
As a former Police Officer this book reveals the unfortunate truth of how Cops are judged before the actual facts are presented. This is a must read. One very important take away is to always have a lawyer speak for you even when you know you are totally innocent.
As a former Police Officer this book reveals the unfortunate truth of how Cops are judged before the actual facts are presented. This is a must read. One very important take away is to always have a lawyer speak for you even when you know you are totally innocent.
January 6, 2022
I adore Sticks to pieces so of course I was going to buy his book and read it. I appreciated his openness in the book and was dumbfounded to learn of the stories of officers falsely accused. You rarely hear these stories in the news. I am always willing to learn and be open so I appreciated the stories in this book.
June 18, 2021
There is a quote from the book that resonates with life today, “The way I see it, it doesn’t matter which side of the law enforcement fence you’re on. We should slow down and breathe a bit more. We should all make sure we get the facts in every case right before making decisions.”
June 21, 2022
Amazing Stories
You can tell as you read this book just how much Sean “Sticks” Larkin loves his profession and how much he dislikes injustices. These are phenomenal yet sad and disgraceful stories. Unfortunately, true stories. A must read.
You can tell as you read this book just how much Sean “Sticks” Larkin loves his profession and how much he dislikes injustices. These are phenomenal yet sad and disgraceful stories. Unfortunately, true stories. A must read.
December 18, 2022
Sticks!!
This book is very well written and a great factual account of what can and does happen to good police officers everywhere. Thank you to Sticks for sharing this book with all of us who believe the majority of officers are good!!
This book is very well written and a great factual account of what can and does happen to good police officers everywhere. Thank you to Sticks for sharing this book with all of us who believe the majority of officers are good!!
August 5, 2023
Well done. Like having a conversation.
Easy quick read. Powerful stories. Expert commentary. Sticks rocks!!! I am a big fan. Following Sticks at On Patrol Live. Best venue for the reality of stupidity of people and criminal behavior.
Easy quick read. Powerful stories. Expert commentary. Sticks rocks!!! I am a big fan. Following Sticks at On Patrol Live. Best venue for the reality of stupidity of people and criminal behavior.
January 15, 2024
Excelent book
I am a huge fan of true crime and recently reading Officer’s stories. This book is very well written and as much as I wanted to hurry up and get back to it, I hate that it’s over! The last case is a doosey!!! I’ll be looking for his book next.
I am a huge fan of true crime and recently reading Officer’s stories. This book is very well written and as much as I wanted to hurry up and get back to it, I hate that it’s over! The last case is a doosey!!! I’ll be looking for his book next.
June 29, 2021
Love my ‘Sticks’ and hated to give this anything less than 5 stars but sometimes the writing drove me nuts. Not the story but the telling of it.
July 15, 2021
It's sad how fast people jump to conclusions without even looking at the evidence or the facts first before condemning police.
Real Heroes Die Serving The Law, Not Resisting It
Real Heroes Die Serving The Law, Not Resisting It
September 7, 2021
This is an amazing read. It really opens your eyes to how often police officers are falsely accused of crimes. I think it is a must for everyone.
November 4, 2021
Thank you, Sean!!!
Thank you for sharing these horrific experiences of on our Law Enforcement officers. I hope this book will get the attention it needs for real positive changes!
Thank you for sharing these horrific experiences of on our Law Enforcement officers. I hope this book will get the attention it needs for real positive changes!
November 16, 2022
Great book. Thanks Sticks
May 11, 2023
Definitely opens your eyes what police officers go through when falsely accused. Love Sticks!
August 4, 2021
Amazing book
Sadly, these stories point out how quickly people will believe made up accusations against the police without investigating whether they're true or not. I always wondered why these men and women put on a uniform and badge every day to go out and face the verbal abuse and dangerous situations they encounter. We really can't pay our officers enough for putting their lives on the line every day for us. God bless every one of them.
Sadly, these stories point out how quickly people will believe made up accusations against the police without investigating whether they're true or not. I always wondered why these men and women put on a uniform and badge every day to go out and face the verbal abuse and dangerous situations they encounter. We really can't pay our officers enough for putting their lives on the line every day for us. God bless every one of them.
March 9, 2023
Quick, short stories about on-the-job police "adventures". Some of these stories are very interesting; some are almost boring.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews