Seven Shades of Blue Tales from the Streets

"Seven Shades of Blue" is organized in career experience segments, from entry to "Curtains." This book provides the reader with an exciting inside look at a career cop's life and the challenges that police face throughout a full career. It is written in a style similar to Joseph Wambaugh's, and in a format that mirrors Mark Baker's "COPS." However, the author's experiences with the military and six different agencies over four decades makes for a unique read.

The reader will be able to experience numerous real-life situations, including; my role as a correction officer in quelling a major disturbance at Attica, which resulted in a bloody stabbing death. My time as a street cop on a domestic call where a 270 lb. male had a fork embedded in his forehead, and my travels to China to train the Chinese police in hostage negotiations before the Olympics. On one of my tours, I had to guard a serial killer's victim who survived a vicious knife attack. Also included is my time in University Policing when officers responded to a call of a naked man in a snowbank screaming. It turns out he had hot sauce poured over his genitals as part of a hazing ritual and said he was just trying to cool the heat. The reader will be captivated by these stories and much more. This book provides a fascinating insight into the men and women behind the badge.

Jerry Schoenle served as the Chief of Police for the University at Buffalo from July of 2006 until March of 2018. He joined UB from his position as Assistant Chief of Police for the City of Arlington Texas Police Department, where he served from May 2005. Originally a Buffalo native, Chief Schoenle served with the City of Buffalo Police department from 1980 to 2000, rising through the ranks from Patrol Division Officer to Captain of Communications & Administration. In addition, he ran a police academy as the Director of Public Safety Training for Erie County Central Police Services from 2000 to 2005. He is a Police Accreditation Assessor and Administrative Studies consultant for IACLEA and for the NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services. Mr. Schoenle also offers private consulting and Expert Witness Services.

He earned his master's degree in Criminal Justice from Buffalo State College in 1999, where he was also an adjunct professor with the Criminal Justice Department. In 1997 he graduated from the FBI National Academy; in 2000, he attended the Senior Management Institute for Police instructed by the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. He maintained a parallel career with the United States Air Force, both Active & Reserves, serving with the 914th Tactical Airlift Group during Desert Storm, retiring as a Chief Master Sergeant in 1995.

Mr. Schoenle started his career in the criminal justice system as a House Parent for eight juvenile boys in 1978. Before accepting his first police officer position, he spent eighteen months as a NYS Correction Officer at Attica Correctional Facility from 1979-1980.

He resides in Cocoa Beach, Florida, with his wife Joanne when they are not touring the country in their camper van. While Mr. Schoenle is a first-time author, he does have several articles published in law enforcement journals.