Paths Crossed is a tribute to past and present police officers and enlightening to those considering law enforcement as a career.
Howard Swabash
Retired Police Lieutenant - Author
Clif has masterfully placed countless lessons learned from a career in law enforcement within intriguing short stories - revealing to both officer and citizen.
Francis X. Ridge
Soldier - Attorney - Author
"Great reads for all, a must read for future law enforcement officers."
Book one, "Villains-Victims-Victors", traces the author's calling to be a peace officer with the murder of Howard Stoker, the rigorous training of the Michigan State Police, followed with his service in the Uniform Division. During this time he would evolve from a cub to a veteran while traveling a twisted path where he would strive to see that wrong doers were held accountable for their actions. Crossing paths with various villains, victims, and victors, they taught Edwards timeless lessons at both the hands of success and failure.
An Educators Guide has been created for this book. The guide and book are currently being used by several high schools in their criminal justice program.
Educators can contact the author for further information.
Book two, "A Closer Look", follows the author's transition from trooper to detective. As a trooper, Edwards conducted numerous investigations while juggling patrol and traffic responsibilities. Now as a detective, he would have the luxury to take a closer look at unsolved crimes. Working across a nine county area, Edwards rarely got an easy case. Follow him as he works with fellow officers to tease out the culprits of murders, rapes, roberries, burglaries,
organized crime, white collar crime, and drug trafficking.
As he does, Edwards is reminded of the value of reputation and that the traits of networking, leadership, reliability, tenacity, and communication are essential to success and that no one person ever solves a crime alone.
Book three, "Protecting National Parks", depicts the author's transition from conventional to wilderness law enforcement, now working in places he had previously only vacationed. Retired from the Michigan State Police for only three months, 911 came and with it a call back to service. As Edwards searched for where that might be, he discovered the position of protection ranger with the National Park Service--that is if he was willing to complete another academy, become an emergency medical technician, and wildland firefighter. The book tells of this training and the application of those skills along with search and rescue and
marine patrol in some of our countries most remote and beautiful places. The book is not about a walk in the park but
stories of adventure and discovery.
The PATHS CROSSED series is narrative nonfiction, written so the reader feels as if he is shadowing the author as he confronts the various challenges of a lawman.
In a rewarding career exceeding thirty-five years, Edwards served in multiple roles and diverse venues as a state trooper, police detective, and park ranger. Not propaganda, Edwards calls it as he perceived it then and how he assesses it now. From where the rubber meets the road, the boot scuffs the trail, the gumshoe climbs the steps, and the keel slices the water; the reader tags along to the point of contact and beyond.
In Edwards' style, each chapter is a stand-alone story. Within these intriguing vignettes are the realities of being a peace officer and embedded within them are the lessons learned.