Customer Reviews

Circle of Six: The True Story of New York's Most Notorious Cop Killer and The Cop Who Risked Everything to Catch Him

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As a murder cop and fellow NYPD retiree, I want to personally thank Randy Jurgenson for writing this shameful story of a brutal murder and the official cover-up that was instituted under Police Commissioner Patrick Murphy. I was in police service during this despicable conspiracy to conceal the truth and was elated that the true story has finally been told. As I read the book it brought back vivid and painful memories of the treachery and deceit practiced by the "political charlatans" of the NYPD who disappeared in Police Headquarters while the street cops were under attack. The racism that permeated events during this violent time is alive and well in the antics of the current racial racketeers who continue to use the Race Card" for their personal agendas. What I think is really important in this book is that the "key" players who were responsible for this injustice have been named and identified and will hopefully be held responsible for their actions. At least the "truth" has finally been documented in a well-written and factual account of one of the darkest days in the history of the greatest police department in the world. Those who remain alive from the Circle of Six should hang their heads in shame now that their actions have been exposed. This is the ultimate "Cold Case Homicide" story.

Before you know it, the clock reads 2am! Absolutely could not put it down. Scandalous. True. Shocking. That's all I can say. A complete shame what happened to Phi Cardillo. Great book. Simply fantastic read.

This book reads like a thriller. One can hardly put it down. But it's true. Describing perhaps the saddest period in New York Police Department history. These were the days when the Black Liberation Army was running amok murdering police officers. A false alarm 1013 call went out on police radios. It had been called in on 911. Four officers rushed to the Nation of Islam Mosque 7 on 116th street. It was an ambush. One officer,Phillip Cardillo, was shot and beaten. He subsequently died. The other three were badly beaten by about twenty mosque soldiers. The ultra liberal Mayor John Lindsay had obsessive presidential ambitions. In his mind there could be no racial problems showing on the surface in New York. Most of the top brass in the police department were primarily concerned with pleasing the mayor.

So began the coverup. Congressman Charles Rangel, now powerful chairman of the house ways and means committee quickly appeared at the crime scene. Of course, this is the same man who has been the center of much criticism recently over his personal financial dealings. Deputy Police Commissioner, later to become Police Commissioner, Benjamin Ward arrived. As did the agitator minister Louis Farrakhan. The neighborhood hoodlums turned out in full force to cause whatever trouble they could. Ward gave orders for all white police to vacate the premises and the area. The crime scene was given up and destroyed. No evidence was retrieved. The twenty Muslim prisoners waiting to be interviewed were released. Other key participants in this travesty were Police Commissioner Patrick V. Murphy and Chief of Department Michael Codd. The story they attempted to concoct was that perhaps the officer had shot himself or been wounded by friendly fire. Contrary to fact, certainly no riot had transpired.

This book painfully details how Detective Randy Jurgensen virtually by himself overcame the One Police Plaza obstacles placed in his path and found the cop killer. By the way, as might be expected, the Internal Affairs Division cooperated fully along with other department yes men in hindering the investigation. In fact several Muslim Fruit of Islam members were at the Mosque at the time of the incident and continually leaked confidential information to Farrakhan about progress of the investigation. They were members as well of the IAD.

The good guys, such as Chief Of Detectives Albert Seedman, Deputy Commissioner Robert Daley and Deputy Inspector John Haugh, could not stand this outrage and resigned. Jurgensen continued his lonely fight with the aid of Assistant District Attorneys John Van Lindt and James Harmon. PBA President Sam DeMilia was very supportive. FBI field agent Joe Pistone provided essential information. A true hero was Muslim Foster 2X Foster, an eyewitness, who risked his life to testify against the killer.

The case was brought to trial twice. No conviction. Jury votes were 10-2 and 11-1. Close. But no cigar. So the killer, Lewis 17X Dupree was not convicted.

This is truly an appalling story. But, a tremendous book. Run. Don't walk to order it or buy it.

I heard Randy Jurgensen speak at a police function. I had to read his book after hearing him speak since I was a cop when the Ptl. Phil Cardillo murder happened. Because I was on another police department I was never privy to what was going on in the NYPD. The coverup by the the bosses in the "Ivory Tower" and their attempts to cover up the murder of a hero police officer is beyond belief. When you read the book, Jurgensen takes you from start to finish in the investigation of the murder of a hero cop. If you like conspiracy stories this is a book for you. If you like stories about detectives solving cases, this too is the book for you. Jurgensen is a hero as well and he paid a heavy price for doing the job correctly.

Thanks to Randy Jurgensen for telling the story that had to be told. I picked this book up and didn't put it down until I turned the last page.

Circle was a very revealing book about a tragedy of a police killing and the events to cover up the killing. It was a black day in the history of the NYPD.

Charlie Rangel, Louis Farrakhan, the Nation of Islam, Jesse Jackson -- just a few of the individuals currently the darling endorsers of more than one potential 2008 presidential candidate -- are well known for their political posturing, but less well known for their notorious, criminal, acessory-to-murder activities so convincingly exposed & proved in Randy Jurgensen's well-documented Circle of Six. Any normal person who reads this book should be outraged that justice was subverted in this case. And you should be afraid. Really, truly, afraid that the thin blue line keeping evil from overwhelming us ordinary folks is so easily sacrificed on the altar of political expediency. The power people who were never called to account for their horrible coverups, collusion with criminals, & abandment of their public trust are still with us today. Tragically, Officer Roy Cardillo's murder & the cover-up afterward is not isolated in law enforcement. Saldy, the Circle of Six has many more members in many more departments in many more cities. It is wherever the politically powerful advance themselves at the expense -- and the lives -- of those they are supposed to lead. Thankfully, there is one Court, one Judge, and one Book they will ultimately be unable to avoid. Thank you, Det. Jurgensen, for helping to expose the darkness to the light.

I have been eagerly awaiting this book since word of it spread online. I was leery of Robert Cea's involvement, but his presence does not detract from a story every New Yorker should read.
It is a gripping story and well written, but I still had to put it aside several times as the facts Mr. Jurgensen lays out aggravated me beyond reason. Several of the "Circle of Six" are still alive and capable of answering for their dark deeds - let us hope the new interest in the case adds a meaningful ending by the time the paperback comes out.

As a former Lieutenant in the NYPD and in TPF at the time of the Mosque incident, I read this book, both frustrated and proud. Randy Jurgensen is the quintessential NYPD detective; dogged, honorable, dedicated, loyal, and honest. This episode is Department history makes me ashamed of the bosses and politicians who so shamelessly put their careers ahead of justice in the murder of a NYC police officer; alternately, it makes me proud that cops like Randy Jurgensen are around to right those wrongs.

Remember Cardillo!

As a former NYC Police officer, assigned to the 28 Pct.a year after this terrible tragic event I knew many of the people mentioned in the book..My wife also read the book and could not believe the cover up of the killing of Phil Cardillo..We met his wife on many occassions....I also worked with his cousin Mike Cardillo at One Police Plaza...