It’s Out! My Brother’s Keeper is now available on Amazon.

There are several questions that need to be answered in order to have a good investigation. They are, Who, What, When, Where, How, and Why!

All that is front and center in my recent novel in the fifth book in The Lawman series. Its title is My Brother’s Keeper!

So, here’s what we’d call the initial police report for that incident.

On April 14, 1995, at about 310 AM, Officer Bryan Bower of the Antonito Police Department radioed that he was in pursuit of an unknown year/make/model red two door vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed south through City of Antonito in the seven hundred block of Main Street. He attempted to pull the vehicle over, but it attempted to elude him at a high rate of speed on Highway 285 into New Mexico.

Officer Bower called for assistance in the chase, and Detective Tom Sowards responded.

As he approached the state line between Colorado and New Mexico, Officer Bower reported the car he was chasing was pulling over.

Detective Sowards warned Officer Bower to wait and not to contact the occupants. He didn’t respond.

When Detective Sowards arrived on the scene, he noted the Antonito Cruiser, but not the vehicle Bower was chasing. He dismounted and saw Officer Bower face down in the dirt. He called an officer down and approached.

As he approached, Officer Bower suddenly rolled over and shot Detective Sowards in the chest with an S&W Model 27 .357 Magnum. Only his bulletproof vest saved Detective Bower from serious injury or death.

A passing trucker named Dana Rameriz saw the event occur and stopped to render assistance. She reported that Officer Bower appeared to have been assaulted.

County EMS transported Detective Sowards to the Conejos County Hospital and kept for overnight observation.

County EMS also transported Office Bower to SLV Regional Medical Center for his head injury.

Sheriff Diaz, Chief Robert Gallegos (APD) and Internal Affairs Investigator Tony Madril were notified and handed to them.

As Sgt. Friday from Dragnet would have said, “Just the facts.” This contains what’s known. It also hints at everything we don’t.

Of all that, the least important thing not mentioned is the Why? Why is often called “motive.” Contrary to what I see in most mystery novels, a motive doesn’t always need to be proven. It’s a nice thing to have, but most of the time I just need to prove someone did something. The “why” isn’t always important.

But in this matter, “Why” is very important.

Are we talking about an insane accident? Are we talking about a training deficiency?

Or are we talking about something else? Are we talking about attempted murder?

My Brother’s Keeper is available on Amazon in Kindle, paperback, and hardback editions. Click here or on the cover page to purchase it.