Customer Reviews

Signal 63: Officer Needs Help

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Signal 63: Officer Needs Help is a book written by Harold B. Goldhagen, retired Captain, APD, 1962 - 1992. Harold worked many assignments, including a long stint in homicide.

As I read this book I could recall many of the experiences he writes about. Harold is a teriffic writer who causes you to experience the emotions of laughter, anger, pity, empathy, sympathy, disdain, disgust and many other emotions, but most importantly, PRIDE in the courgage and determination of those who would not give up. Those of us who have worn the badge, walked in the mist of evil, carnage, despair, and fear, can readily identify with Harold and his experiences as a husband, father and police officer. As you read this well written book you will say to yourself, "I was there!"

Harold tells no lies, pulls no punches, sugar coats nothing.

I strongly recommend this book to ALL of those who have worn the Badge of Courage, who have served as officers of the court and the Criminal Justice System.

Berlyn Compton

Captain, retired APD

PS: Please forward this to all your law enforcement friends and to those friends who respect those who wear the Badge.

Goldhagen has written an excellent book that covers not only his career, but also the history of some of the major events that took place in Atlanta since the early sixties.

His stories about race relations, the cheating scandal and the political nonsense are informative, exciting and often, very touching. The action is continuous- this book was hard to put down!

" Signal 63 " is a superb book! I could not put it down ! I was really surprised at the honest and exciting accounts of life as an Atlanta Cop. I am now retired from this department. I spent over 34 years there and worked with Harold Goldhagen many of these years. I have always considered Capt. Goldhagen as one of the most honest , straightforward , highly qualified , and effective police supervisors in the Atlanta Police Dept. He has excelled in painting an accurate picture of the good officers , as well as the incompetent political hacks who were promoted by corrupt politicians. By the way , Hagen and Goldhagen were indeed a fine Team ! Retired Major Larry D. Loy

"Signal 63" is an absorbing book. The author is a retired police captain with a talent for writing. He takes the reader to Atlanta, Georgia, to share his life on the job during a memorable thirty year career in various roles and ranks with the APD. As his stories reveal the crime, scandal, and corruption in a city being transformed by the Civil Rights Movement the reader is there, seeing what he sees, feeling what he feels, and appreciating the highs and lows that a police officer experiences.
This is an exciting and enlightening memoir that captivates the reader from start to finish.
My husband agrees that this is an excellent book, chronicalling an exemplary police career through difficult times in one of the toughest professions. It grabs and holds your attention.

"Signal 63" delivers a lot more than old, rehashed, cop war stories. Each story is unique, well written and leaves the reader feeling the emotions that an "on the job" police officer might experience during any given shift. Mr. Goldhagen's blunt, honest, truthful, hard hitting style goes direct to the core of the inner workings of a big city police department without regard for whose feelings may be offended by the content.

Interestingly, Mr. Goldhagen blends his stories into 30 years of inside observations of the political and racial machine that comprised the Atlanta PD. "Signal 63" is exciting and enlightening reading. I highly recommend this book for everyone with any interest in our criminal justice system. It tells it like it is!

Edward DeMartino

Information Research Specialist

I have just finished reading this book and found it to be very interesting. It is the real life of day to day activities in a major city police department. There were times when it made me laugh and other times cry. This book is full of real life adventures that are not usually picked up by the news media (unfortunately). You will have a greater respect for those public servants who risk their lives to keep us safe. This is a must read book, especially for those in law enforcement. This book should be used as a training manuel for officers that work in vice or homicide or any street crime.

Thank you for telling it like it is!