Monday, July 21, 2008

On the Job author joins Rally for Rawa

Daniel P. Smith, author of On the Job: Behind the Stars of the Chicago Police Department, spent the evening of Sunday, July 20 at Rally for Rawa on Chicago's northwest side. The event served a key fundraising event for late Chicago Police Officer Bob Rawa, who suddenly passed away in the summer of 2007 from a brain aneurysm. Smith donated copies of the book to the event's raffle and provided all proceeds from book sales at the event to the Rawa family. A K9 officer, Smith profiled Rawa in On the Job. Smith posted the following note about Officer Rawa on his table:



On the Job author Daniel P. Smith
on Officer Bob Rawa…

Bob Rawa was the first officer I interviewed for On the Job. Within one day of receiving my note asking if he was willing to participate, he called me and directed: “I’m in kid, but only on one condition: you get a picture of me and my dog in the book.” Our conversation took place in his home one week later. For nearly four hours, Bob talked openly to me about his career, his children, his own upbringing on the South Side, and, of course, the K9 unit. He moved from one story to the next with equal splashes of character, color, and comedy.

As I moved through completing On the Job, Bob was a consistent source of knowledge, insight, and, at times, my human Rolodex to all things CPD. It took over three years for On the Job to move from conception onto bookstore shelves and Bob waited longer than anyone, a position that agitated his anxious soul. Nearly every three months I’d get a call: “Hey, when are you making me famous?” was all I heard. I could only appeal to his patience and promise him he’d relish the final product. “And I want a signed copy, too,” he’d always remind me. Sure thing, I told him.

Though Bob passed before seeing On the Job in print, I’m thrilled he survives in black-and-white in these pages. Like all the officers I profile in On the Job, Bob had his human flaws, but remained a man of substance and spirit, passion and purpose. He went out his door each day to do the best he could—and that’s all we can ever—should ever—ask of our officers. I hope my characterization of him serves a fitting, worthy tribute to a man who lived with the dogs, yet—as Bob assured me—never laid down to be one.

Saturday, July 5, 2008

Two Upcoming Author Appearances

Catch Daniel P. Smith, author of On the Job: Behind the Stars of the Chicago Police Department, at these upcoming appearances:

Friday, July 11 at 7pm
Centuries and Sleuths Bookstore
7419 W. Madison Ave. (Forest Park, IL)
Join the author for a discussion of CPD culture, history, and characters. Book signing to follow.

Wednesday, July 16 at 7pm
***Rescheduled for Thursday, August 28 at 2pm***
Autumn Green at Wright Campus

Forest Preserve Dr. and Oak Park Ave. (Chicago)
Join the author for a discussion of CPD culture, history, and characters. Book signing to follow.

Both events are FREE and open to the public.