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Sergeant Eric Briggs, Maryland State
Police (ret.) is “a US Army veteran and a retired Maryland State Police sergeant. During his twenty-six year MSP career,
he worked in uniform patrol and criminal investigations, ending his career while a member of the FBI's Wash DC/PG County
Violent Fugitive Task Force. Sergeant Eric Briggs is the author of Signal 13: Chronicles of
a Calvert Trooper.
According to the book description of Signal 13: Chronicles of a Calvert
Trooper,, “When the electrifying code Signal 13 crackled over the cruiser radio heralding a brother trooper's
desperate call for help, your heart froze and your gut erupted into a fireball. Retiring Maryland State Police Sergeant Dalton
Bragg, hamstrung by mulish pride, was in desperate trouble, but even as the specter of death sneered in his face, he still
couldn't call for help.
Tormented by his demons, Bragg climbs to the sanctity he calls Purgatory Ridge,
his coveted Calvert Cliffs overlook high above the majestic Chesapeake Bay. Buttressed by booze and waning pride, the resolute
sergeant holds his own retirement party. Haunting memories come swirling back; those heady academy days, countless years of
intense camaraderie highlighted by hilarious and horrific experiences, the deaths of fellow troopers, the inevitable wreck
of his doomed marriage, and the State Police life that was created from a deck of stacked cards.
Fighting off abhorrent nightmares as the restless tiger aimlessly treads in his
head, the "silverback" sergeant holds on. Troopers take the pain!
For Dalton Bragg, clinging by fingernails to his tarnished image of "Maryland's
Finest," the dark experiences are irreconcilable, despite his budding relationship with the alluring MSP detective Diane
Coulson. Could his lofty refuge amidst soaring bald eagles be the perfect place for an imperfect end to his torment?”
One reader of Signal 13:
Chronicles of a Calvert Trooper said, “As a former trooper who worked under the author I was astounded
by the details he put in print. Most of everything in the book happened to someone during their time with the state police.
Obviously the names have been changed and unless you worked during that time frame you would not know who the players were.
I sort of skipped over the sex scenes, but I'm sure they were interesting. It was my honor the serve the state police
from 1978 to 1995 and Calvert was served well by most of it's state troopers. I can't wait for the sequel. I read
the book in one night, I couldn't put it down.
For starters, this is reality so transparently
cloaked in fiction that it amounts to putting a negligee on an Elephant. But what a spectacular elephant! It's redeeming
grace is the eloquence of the presentation and the powerful way it delivers its message. I bought it expecting a memoir, but
what an understatement that was; it's a total immersion experience and so well crafted that it's pure art. I feel
like I got caught up in one of those high-powered storm-surge waves and churned around head first on the bottom until I was
within an inch of drowning, before being spit out onto the beach exhausted. But it was one hell of a ride, and I want to jump
back in for more, but, alas, the waves have subsided to beach lappers.”
One reader of Signal 13: Chronicles of a Calvert Trooper
said, “This book contains it all. Fast paced, intermingled with soul searching introspection, it's the story of
a law enforcement life that's been centered around the call of duty, a call that wreaks havoc on Dalton's personal
life and slowly destroys the myths he once thought to be true. The author incorporates a reader friendly style throughout
the book which makes the audience feel as if they're experiencing all the highs, lows and numerous humorous escapades
right alongside the main character. The use of extensive "down to earth " dialogue exchanges between the characters
only adds to the feeling of being right there in the scenes.
I would imagine anyone who chose to commit themselves to a life of law enforcement
would want to read this book. On the other hand, "ordinary citizens" might find the book even more appealing because
it strips away the façade that somehow our "guardians" are immune to the problems associated with just trying
to make it through another day, i.e., shields of armor definitely do get dented.
The writing is very image provocative
and emotionally stirring, especially during those periods when the author is describing his innermost feelings regarding the
loss of a life; whether it be the death of a strangers' loved one, or the demise of another close, fallen comrade. Equally
impressive are his descriptions of the world of nature he loves so much and its ability to re-energize him when gloom threatens
his existence. Once you start reading this book, it's tough to take a break! And contrary to the lyrics of that popular
British song from the early 70's, the author's writing is definitely "Heavy.....and he's my brother.”
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