Editor’s note: The following is a sneak peek into “Law Dogs II: More Great Cops in American History” by Lt. Dan Marcou. This book, Marcou’s follow-up to “Law Dogs: Great Cops in American History,” is a collection of stories of incredible bravery, arduous pursuers, dogged investigators and epic gun battles long forgotten by history, but worth remembering. Order your copy on Amazon here.
Finally, after years in the making, both volumes of the two-volume set “Law Dogs: Great Cops in American History” and “Law Dogs II: More Great Cops in American History” are now available.
Within the covers of these two books lie some of the greatest stories ever told about our profession. This country of laws was built on the unfathomable courage and resilience of a unique breed of Americans — men and women who confronted the often-deadly plague of lawlessness and chose to dedicate, and sometimes sacrifice, their lives to stopping its spread.
You will ridealong with:
The Texas Rangers
- Discover John Coffee Hayes’ daring charge against a Comanche horde and how he led his outnumbered Rangers to victory.
- Meet the real “Walker Texas Ranger” and learn about his remarkable life and tragic death.
- Explore the stories of legendary Rangers like Leander McNelly and Frank Hamer, alongside a touching account of a 17-year-old Ranger’s final act of kindness before his line-of-duty death.
- Decide for yourself: Did U.S. Deputy Marshal Bass Reeves or Texas Ranger John R. Hughes inspire the story of the Lone Ranger?
The legends
- Uncover the true lives of iconic figures like Hickok, the Mastersons, the Earps and Doc Holliday — beyond the myths that surround them.
Original community policing
- Learn how citizens and law enforcement united to create peace in two of the country’s safest towns, proving the power of collaboration against crime.
The shootists
- Experience legendary gunfights, from the OK Corral to the FBI Miami Shootout.
- Read about the first Black marshal in Colorado, who single-handedly tamed a lawless town, and the sheriff who faced an entire gang with only his rifle — and won.
The lifers
- Follow the careers of law enforcement legends like Bob Paul, who mentored Wyatt Earp, and Harry Morse, whose relentless pursuit of criminals earned him the nickname “El Diablo.”
The life savers
- Be inspired by stories of officers saving lives and one extraordinary civilian who saved more police officers than anyone else in history.
Active shooters
- Discover early examples of active shooter incidents and how law enforcement responded, from 1900 to modern-day tragedies, including a perfect response model from a 21st-century police department.
The serial killer catchers
- Explore how officers and victims alike helped bring the deadliest serial killers in history to justice, despite obstacles in the courts.
Women in law enforcement
- Challenge the notion that women joined law enforcement late with stories of female pioneers, including a detective who may have saved Abraham Lincoln’s life.
- Meet modern trailblazers like Mitzi Roberts, whose relentless pursuit put one of America’s deadliest serial killers behind bars.
Why these books belong on your shelf
“Law Dogs: Great Cops in American History” and “Law Dogs II: More Great Cops in American History” are meticulously researched collections of law enforcement history, told through unforgettable stories — many in the voices of the officers themselves. Historians, criminal justice professionals and lovers of nonfiction alike will find these books both entertaining and enlightening.
For those in law enforcement, these stories serve as a connection to the past — a trail that leads straight to you, today’s protectors of justice.
