In this powerful expose of the harrowing problem of political intervention upon law enforcement, a once prominent county sheriff presents an eloquent account of what's wrong with law enforcement. Johannes Spreen, sheriff of Oakland County, Michigan, for twelve years, is upset. Based on the information he presents about the obstacles presented by self-interested politicians and the media, the rest of us ought to be, also.

The purpose of this book is to provide to future and present sheriffs and other law enforcement executives information about the pitfalls and pressures of politicians and the media, which make the elected position of a sheriff increasingly difficult. Filled with colorful characters, heroic deeds and despicable acts of crime, the book details the fascinating history of the difficult job sheriffs face.

Sheriff Spreen said that his theme was this: "In our history, when a crime occurred, the sheriff rounded up the able-bodied men of his county and pursued the evildoer and brought him to justice. Today, we need a posse that can be rounded up and assist the sheriff before the crime is committed and before the accident occurs. The hope of tomorrow lies in the youth of today."

"Who Killed Detroit" explains how the automobile industry, migration of blacks, housing segregation, riot of 1967, rise of radical groups, and the resulting reactions since then have left this great city in shambles. No other American city has offered so much to so many in the first half of the twentieth century. And no other city has collapsed as completely as Detroit in the second half of the twentieth century. "Who Killed Detroit" explores what can be learned to prevent a similar fate in other cities. Former Detroit Police Commissioner Spreen reveals secret documents that explain the operations of groups that killed Detroit. Blame is laid at the feet of politicians, the press, pressure groups, the police and the people. Rumors that have floated about for 40 years are put to rest. Spreen and Holloway shed light on the forces and psychological factors that bring a city down. They examine problems that still exist and threaten the survival and progress of the city. They also list preventive actions that cities can take to avoid a similar fate.

"The Saga of Thundercloud and Dancing Star" is a delightful and informative book starring Thundercloud, a brave young Native American Warrior, and Dancing Star, a lovely young maiden, and the adventures they share. The original stories were created through the imagination of an innovative and gifted New York Cop, Johannes Spreen, to amuse, enchant, and entertain his young daughter. The stories were enhanced by the research and writing of Cherie Lee, Associate Editor of "Sun Life Magazine," and powerfully portrayed by the illustrations of Justin Rose.

"Commissioner Johannes Spreen was a police officer extraordinary; a man who helped restructure and develop New York City Police Academy training leading to a college program, a 'West Point' for officers, now John Jay College for Criminal Justice. Johannes Spreen is a man of enthusiasm, indeed a prophet; always ahead of his time and brought his talent to Detroit as Police Commissioner and later Sheriff of Oakland County." Rudolph P. Blaum, Retired Captain, New York City Police Department, John Jay College, former president American Education Association.

This book describes how policing has forgotten to serve and protect citizens but emphasizes technology and quick response after a crime has been committed. It has astonishingly simple new ideas about how policing could prevent crime as well as enforce laws. These radical but economical changes in policing would not only result in more respect for police by the public but would lower the crime rate by preventing crime in the first place. This seasoned veteran brings his experience to bear in tantalizing clarity as a master wordsmith. He produces a compelling case for changing even the kind of vehicles that police use today.

"Commissioner Johannes Spreen was a police officer extraordinary; a man who helped restructure and develop New York City Police Academy training leading to a college program, a 'West Point' for officers, now John Jay College for Criminal Justice. Johannes Spreen is a man of enthusiasm, indeed a prophet; always ahead of his time and brought his talent to Detroit as Police Commissioner and later Sheriff of Oakland County."
--Rudolph P. Blaum, Retired Captain, New York City Police Department, John Jay College, former president American Education Association.