Circle of Six: The True Story of New York's Most Notorious Cop Killer and the Cop Who Risked Everything to Catch Him

by Randy Jurgensen, Robert Cea

Circle of Six is the true story of what is perhaps the most notorious case in the history of the New York Police Department. It details Randy Jurgensen's determined effort to bring to justice the murderer of Patrolman Phillip Cardillo, who was shot and killed inside Harlem's Mosque #7 in 1972, in the midst of an allout assault on the NYPD from the Black Liberation Army. The New York of this era was a place not unlike the Wild West, in which cops and criminals shot it out on a daily basis. Despite the mayhem on the streets and the Machiavellian corridors of Mayor Lindsay's City Hall, Detective Jurgensen singlehandedly took on the Black Liberation Army, the Nation of Islam, NYPD brass, and City Hall, capturing Cardillo's killer, Lewis 17X Dupree. He broke the case with an unlikely accomplice, Foster 2X Thomas, a member of the Nation of Islam who became Jurgensen's witness. The relationship they formed during the time before trial gave each of the two men a greater perspective of the two sides in the street war and changed them forever. In the end, Jurgensen had to settle for a conviction on other charges, and Dupree served a number of years. The murder case is still officially unsolved. In 2006 the NYPD reopened the case, and it is once again an active investigation with full media attention. The book has received acclaim from current New York City Police Commissioner Ray Kelly, as well as former Commissioner William Bratton.

Genres: True Crime, History, Nonfiction, Biography, Crime

296 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Arthur · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read. A time when politics made police work impossible. When politicians joined forces with radicals and covered up for anti police violence. It happened then in NYC, and its happening again today in NYC.

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

If your not pissed after reading this you're an idiot

[SirPoochala · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think it was very brave of the author to tell his understanding of what happened with the investigation of the death of this police officer. I also don't doubt the veracity of his details. What a shame that political incorrectness got in the way of allowing detectives to do their job in investigating this heinous crime. Thank you to the author for telling us what happened. It could easily read as fiction and was written in a good fast pace using believable jargon for a member of the NYPD as author.

[Trevor · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the true story of a New York Cop killed in a Mosque and the subsequent murder investigation and obstruction of justice not only by The Nation of Islam but the New York PD too.

The levels of obstruction and Police corruption is staggering!

It's a good read, even though I was not familiar with the story itself.

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding Book !

Roller Coaster of Emotions. Those Higher-ups should be ashamed of themselves for their actions on April 14, 1972. RIP POLICE OFFICER PHILLIP W. CARDILLO

-P.O Axel Foley Nassau County Police Department-

[Tom Hames · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book made me mad and kept me there until the end. Despite the frequent use of profanity, I found it engrossing and could not put it down.

[Jennie · Rating 5 out of 5]

hands down...one of THE very best books i've ever read!! this author can tell a story...and well! i couldn't put this book down. remember Phil....

[Kerri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well this has been on my TBR list forever and was recommended by my Uncle Tucker, retired NYPD. Very controversial case and even though it took place in the 70s I think it's a very timely book to read now, although there are things said in a certain way that might be upsetting to some. I can totally see this as a movie and Randy Jurgensen has helped write for films. The writing slowed me down, but very interesting NYC story.

[Tony · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book. Randy Jurgensen was a cop's cop. Hope he prospers in Hollywood.

[Anthony Felice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. A must read.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

This should be required reading for every recruit in the NYPD Academy. Circle of Six gives an inside account of how a mayor, police commissioner, and others betrayed the PD and let a cop killer skirt away. PO Cardillo responded to a phony call at a mosque in Harlem and was subsequently ambushed by animals. In order to quell riots and to secure votes the investigation fell on deaf ears until one brave detective stood up to a department that turned it's back on one of it's own.

[Jill Pearson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started reading this but got some books on hold from the library. Randy is a friend of mine, I did not know him "in the day," when this happened. What a story it is. He has not talked to me about this time. It's a real eye opener about the times in the early 70's when "the inmates were running the asylum." I am looking forward to finishing the story. Read it. It's a must read.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book about New York City's municipal cover-up of the murder of a policeman. A policeman was slaughtered in a mosque in Harlem and the book details lengths the City went to to avoid a real investigation of the crime.

[Kb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Boiling mad

This book is enlightening. The nation of islam, its higher ups, and local politicians have never been held accountable. Justice has yet to be served. This book will make your blood boil.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recommended by a friend - her uncle is one of the policemen in the story. Good story, although the writing is a little hard to follow in places.

[Andy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the sad but true story of how city officials turned their back on justice as a nyc police officer was executed.

[Spuccerella · Rating 4 out of 5]

It might make you cry, and it will make you mad, but it is good to know the history.

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Can't believe what the cops went through.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some aspects of the end are disappointing: the corruption that existed then is still alive and well today.

[Jim Holscher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfectly paced real life presentation of life inside the NYPD during a tumultuous time.

Captivatingly entertaining.

[Oliver · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read book.

[Ko · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read for anyone getting into Law Enforcement.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sickening truth to the political influence in a field that should be completely unbiased. Sad reality. RIP...

[Angela]

This sobering, eye-opening book is full of action.

[Suzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can't imagine what these cops went through - what a corrupt bunch of people they had to work with - very sad! By the way, Vito is one of my neighbors.

[Jason Leinwand · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unbelievable true NYC murder crime story from the 1970s written by the detective on the case. Great book. Unreal story.

[Howard White]

enjoyed this book thoroughly; brought the time period back to life.