Review: Badge 387 Tells the Story of "Supercop" Jim Simone

Badge 387
Robert Sberna
(Black Squirrel Books, $32)

Often lauded as “America’s Most Decorated Cop,” Jim Simone served in the Vietnam War and then in Cleveland’s 2nd Police District for more than 30 years. But his medals and ribbons came with a cost: Simone was haunted by his Vietnam experience and involvement in 12 officer-involved shootings, including five deaths. His career also serves as a challenge to examine fear’s role in “shoot/don’t shoot” situations and to reconsider police procedure for incidents involving deadly force. Ultimately, the reader must decide whether Simone is a post-traumatic stress disorder-afflicted workaholic or the “supercop” every city in America deserves.