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

~ Randy Jurgensen (Author), Robert Cea (Author)
Key Phrases: detective squad, internal affairs division, injured cops, Phil Cardillo, Van Lindt, New York (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

In 1972, New York City was plagued with protests, riots, and general unrest. It was during this defining year that one of the Police Department’s most scandalous cases occurred: the murder of Police Officer Phillip Cardillo.

On Friday, April 14, 1972, the police were summoned to Mosque Number 7 in Harlem, led at the time by the Nation of Islam’s Louis Farrakhan, for a ten-thirteen––officer in need of help. The turn of events after this officer distress call has become perhaps the most legendary story in NYPD history. Police entered the Mosque and a conflict occurred, leaving Office Cardillo dead, and the city on the brink of a full-scale riot. Sensing a potential crisis and conflict with the Nation of Islam and the Black Liberation Army, New York City Mayor John Lindsey, Commissioner Benjamin Ward, and Congressman Charles Rangel acquiesced to the city’s black leaders and ordered the police out of the Mosque.

Subsequently, the details of Officer Cardillo’s murder and the events of what happened at the Mosque were covered up and an investigation was never truly launched until NYPD detective Randy Jurgensen began his own investigation. For four years, he would not rest, taking on the Mayor, his superiors in the NYPD, the Nation of Islam, and seemingly at times, the entire city of New York, before he could affect an arrest. His investigation revealed the tragic and shameful story of the political scandal and cover-up that rocked the NYPD and the Nation of Islam.

Circle of Six is the harrowing true crime exposé that lifts the curtain to reveal the raw story behind one of the most debated cases in the history of the New York City Police Department. Officer Cardillo’s murder is still an officially unsolved crime to this day. Written by Randy Jurgensen with Robert Cea, also a former NYPD detective, it details Jurgensen’s determined effort to bring Officer Cardillo’s murderer to justice. Despite the mayhem on the streets and the Machiavellian corridors of Mayor Lindsay’s City Hall, Detective Jurgensen captured Cardillo’s killer, Lewis 17X Dupree. He broke the case with an unlikely accomplice, Foster 2X Thomas, a minister for the Nation of Islam who became Randy’s witness and would eventually help put Dupree behind bars.

About the Author

A highly decorated veteran, Randy Jurgensen joined the NYPD in 1958. Among other highlights of his career, he arrested Lenny Bruce, and broke what became known as the Bag Murders, later to become a movie called "Cruising," in which Al Pacino played Detective Jurgensen’s role. He earned over 40 citations, medals and numerous plaques. He has appeared in 30+ films and television shows and has produced and consulted on several movies, including "The French Connection," a real life case that he was at the center of.

Randy Jurgensen's co-author is former NYPD detective Robert Cea, author of No Lights, No Sirens. As a new recruit, Cea learned of Jurgensen's heroism, and the tales of this case are told to this day to each and every new recruit at the police academy.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: The Disinformation Company (November 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1932857397
• ISBN-13: 978-1932857399
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.3 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #482,862 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars PAGE TURNER & TIME BURNER, November 10, 2006

By	Chicago's Brandi (NYC) - See all my reviews

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.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Author of Practical Homicide Investigation, December 8, 2006

By	Vernon J. Geberth "murdercop" (New York) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thank You!, October 27, 2006

By	Nicholas DiPalo "Nick" (Long Island, NY) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.