I'm not a big fan of police fiction however Tom "TERK" Krupowicz is by far one of the most underrated police writers. In his book, "First Line of Defense" you get to follow the lives of four young men who decide to join the Chicago Police Department. It focuses on them trying to make it through the Academy, making mistakes, being new and excited, seeing them on the streets then experience setting in and finally becoming veterans. After many years of knowing Terk, I finally asked one about this book and if any of it was true. He paused and told me that the ending was real. The end will blow you away... Tom's career with the Chicago Police Department spanned 34 years as well as an expert & taught about latent fingerprints and retired as Detective. GREAT BOOK!