"I Was a Police Officer"In this book Donald R. Smith takes the reader on a meticulous tour of the initial years of his impressive 46-year career inin the law enforcement field. Starting as a young auxiliary officerin the humble parish of Amite City, Louisiana, in 1976, the author narrates clear-headed episodes and reminiscences during his beat-duty days; silent nights in the check-point duty, bizarre experiences- of having to cope with possums doing tricks and swapping signs to mention a few, and the establishment of long- lasting relationships with his colleagues. Soon his account shifts to the Baton Rouge Police Department as a whole, with higher stakes: undercover narcotics, high-pressure surveillance, and encounters that led to him being stabbed and shot.The memoir continues at the point where the previous book by Smith left off, giving the unfettered account of the ups and downs of the profession of policing; the friendship and moral dilemmas, coping with pressures, and the experience of going from a small-town policing to the big city demands. With the help of personal diaries and memorandums, Smith thinks about his experiences on uniform patrols, detective work, homicide investigations, and even a short experience of a motorcycle department. Alluding to the efforts needed to serve and protect through humor, frankness and the appreciation of mentors and family, the text salutes itself on the effort needed to and the foundation of his days in the federal service but that future volumes are yet to come.The memoir in this book to read by people who enjoy reading tales of true crime, by law enforcement, and inspirational books. The thoughts by Smith support the human aspect of the badge such as courage, resilience, and unquestionable dedication to justice.