Hundreds Pay Tribute to Fallen Navy Sailor

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW/AW) Sara Bitter, Naval Special Warfare Public Affairs

PHILADELPHIA (NNS) -- The life of a Navy Sailor was celebrated during a Catholic Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Philadelphia Aug. 18.

Cryptologic Technician (Collection) 1st Class Michael Strange, 25, was one of 22 Naval Special Warfare personnel killed in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan Aug. 6.

More than 200 services members from the Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and Marine Corps; more than 200 Philadelphia police officers; Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter; and family and friends filled the cathedral to pay respect to Strange's family and friends.

Cardinal Justin Rigali was the celebrant of the mass.

After the mass, a ceremony was held in Logan Circle where Strange's mother Elizabeth Strange, father Charlie Strange Jr. and fiance Brianna Hostetler were presented American flags.

A Navy honor guard rendered a three volley salute. Guests bowed their heads as "Taps" played followed by "Amazing Grace" performed by the police and firefighters of the Highland Bagpipe and Drum Band.

"Mike was my best friend and a brother to me. He was the best guy I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. He was an honorable service member, and a silent warrior who excelled in the Navy and in life," said Cryptologic Technician (Collection) 1st Class Ian Regnier.

"Mike was killed doing what he loved. He died serving alongside some of the finest men this country will ever see. Not a day will pass where we won't think of Mike, and thank him for the ultimate sacrifice he made for our country and us," said Maggie O'Brien, Strange's aunt. "We've received tremendous support from the U.S. Navy, Philadelphia Police Department and our community here, and for that, we are so thankful. We thank you for joining us today and know you will help us keep Mike's spirit alive for years to come."

"We grieve for all of them, and admire their teamwork, commitment and courage. We are truly blessed that such men answer a call to military service at the highest levels of professionalism and capability, but also deeply saddened by their loss," said Commander, Naval Special Warfare Command, Rear Adm. Sean A. Pybus.

3 BCGF

Editor's Note: Two of the authors are prior military.

April 6, 2007 (San Dimas, CA) Police-Writers.com is a website dedicated to listing state and local police officers who have authored books. The website added three big city gunfighters to the growing list of state and local police officers who have written books.

Arthur Niederhoffer was born in New York City, graduated from Erasmus High School and Brooklyn College, received his LL.B from Brooklyn Law School in 1939 and was admitted to the New York State Bar in 1940. From 1940 through 1961 he was a member of the New York Police Department. He began by "pounding a beat" and retired with the rank of Lieutenant. In 1963 he received his PH.D. in sociology from New York University. He has taught at Hofstra University and the John Jay College of Criminal Justice at the City University of New York. He is the author of five academic books on policing, the most famous of which is likely Behind the Shield: The Police in Urban Society.

Louis Gervasio was a New York State Police Trooper from 1953 to 1956. He then joined the New York Police Department in 1956. He retired in 1978 at the rank of Lieutenant. Additionally, he served in the United States Army from 1951 through 1953. According to the book description of Louis Gervasio’s book, Not In My Memo Book, “is a compilation of over 50 humorous short stories about the New York Police Department from 1956 through 1978. It includes a few about the NY State Police prior to 1956. The title evolves from the memo books the New York Police Department were mandated to carry to enter their assignments and any incidents. Many police actions involved "unorthodox methods" used by police officers when dealing with the public, boredom, the elements or merely because of their sense of humor.”

John E. McLaughlin, author of Just a Cop, became a police officer by accident. A former US Marine, John wondered what life held in store for him when he realized that the military no longer needed his services. He was invited to join the Fairmount Park Guard, a private police force then guarding Philadelphia's largest public park. His time in the Guard marked the start of a 25 year career in the city, and when the Guard was finally merged with the Philadelphia Police Department, John was merged with them.

According to the book description, “this book tells, in hilarious fashion, the way the ordinary cop worked his beat, dealt with troublesome Senior officers, and handled criminal - everything, in fact, from thieves to killers to rioters. Told in a simple, down to earth way, this book will delight anyone keen on police memoirs, and will undoubtedly bring a demand for more.”

Police-Writers.com now hosts 449 police officers (representing 191 police departments) and their 944 books in six categories, there are also listings of United States federal law enforcement employees turned authors, international police officers who have written books and civilian police personnel who have written books.

April begins with Memoirs and Fiction

Editor's Note: One of the authors is former military

Police-Writers.com is a website dedicated to listing state and local police officers who have authored books. Leading off the April 2007 additions to the site are two police officers who have written their memoirs as cops; and, one who has written a work of fiction.

In August of 1940, James N. Reaves was sworn in as a police officer for the Philadelphia Police Department. At that time, he was one of the very few African American’s on the department. Writing about Reaves’ book, Black Cops, his publisher said, “There was a swearing in ceremony at City Hall with lots of smiles, handshakes, & photographs, but then Reaves had to report to his new street sergeant, a man who was, of course, White. The sergeant glanced at Reaves coldly, gave him a quick scan up & down, & then said something for which Reaves would never forgive him. "My God," the sergeant hissed, "it gets worse." Reaves shook off the insult & persevered through a remarkable forty-year police career. From walking a beat to protect businesses that wouldn't serve Blacks--while other cops rode in the comfort of White-only patrol cars--to the upper echelons of the department as Philadelphia's first Black police captain, James Reaves saw it all, & now he is going on the record with his story.”

RJ Rice was a police officer for the Philadelphia Police Department for 28 years. His book, I Do Solemnly Swear, is a collection of individual stories about actual events from his career. Speaking about his book, Rice said, “It demonstrates how quickly a quiet moment can turn into a life and death struggle and how police officers must decide in a heart - beat what actions to take. Their decision may define the rest of their careers and their lives as well as the lives of the public they serve.”

Robert Yantorno is a police sergeant with the Narberth Borough Police Department (Pennsylvania). In 1980, after his military service, Robert Yantorno began his law enforcement career. His law enforcement career was briefly interrupted between 1983 and 1985 when he fought as a professional boxer. He is a motor officer, currently assigned as a patrol sergeant. According to his book, Brutal Mercies, explores “the secretive world of the police force and the intimate relationships that lie beneath are exposed as the reader finds themselves entrenched in a world of fear, pain, pride and despair.”

Police-Writers.com now hosts 435 police officers (representing 191 police departments) and their 915 books in six categories, there are also listings of United States federal law enforcement employees turned authors, international police officers who have written books and civilian police personnel who have written books.