“If Cigo was angry with his wife, why shoot the children? Maybe logic is just an illusion. Maybe we all run on currents that always elude us” (DiMaggio, p.33)
No stranger to tales of high-society crime and murder, John DiMaggio paints scene after scene of the most captivating true crime drama, transporting the reader to the scene of most spectacular cases. Offering a firsthand account of historic scandals and cases, DiMaggio does a masterful job painting an empathetic picture of the real human stories, seeing through criminals and capturing the essence of a raw, vulnerable person.
A highly decorated detective sergeant veteran, John DiMaggio’s memoir details a career that saw the turbulent 1960s, rife with corruption and reform within the Chicago Police Department, and gives incredible accounts of how he and his department cracked dozens of cases of slasher attacks, night stalkers, and organized crime rackets in the gritty 70s. Never a dull moment, his methodical approach and candor leads DiMaggio’s readers down a path fraught with danger, deception, and moral dilemmas that face law enforcement on a daily basis.
Take his firsthand account of a major police scandal:
“It began with a holdup on Jeweler’s Row… The getaway car was traced to a policeman in the Summerdale Police District on the far North Side… At the center of the gang was Richard Morrison, a burglar, safecracker, counterfeiter, and con man. He started by bribing officers with some of his loot. The men then began placing order for television sets, sports equipment, and other spoils they fancied. In time eight officers- including some from my police training class- told Morrison where and when to hit, and some of them even helped him out by serving as lookouts.” (p. 39) DiMaggio’s writing is like a crucible where all the facts are boiled down to the truth. That doesn’t mean it’s matter-of-fact or unduly critical; instead he does a great job of making heroes out of the officers who worked to reform the police. He describes being detail to Superintendent O.W. Wilson, who was hired to transform CPD as a response to the burglary scandal. After covering high-speed chases and mob-tied restaurant mix-ups, DiMaggio lauds Wilson’s character:
“I came to realize in time that working with O.W. would alter my career. To me he was the most capable, educated administrator in the history of the department. Having served at his elbow for well over a year, I was never intimidated by any supervisor.” (p.54)
Sarge is a captivating look at the life of a detective sergeant in Chicago at a time when what it meant to be a police officer was changing radically. Through complex characters, high-stake cases, and deep personal introspection, this book carries a thought-provoking perspective bound to challenge your preconceptions of law enforcement. It is a must-read for fans of crime fiction and those interested in the human side of police work.
Sarge: Cases of a Chicago Police Detective Sergeant
