The Other Side Of The Nightstick

About the Book

This book touches on the exploits of a man who grew up in the south Bronx He grew very aware of his environment early in life. Because of the violence in his world, he developed fast reflexes and the ability to make instant decisions. He spent 4 years in the Maine Corps and 14 months in Vietnam 1968-1969. where he again found himself in a very violent atmosphere. Some of his encounters are described in here. Still feeling a deep need to give back to his community, He returned to the states and became a New York City Transit Police Officer. Again being assigned to the South Bronx area. A Police Officer, suits up every day, not knowing if he is coming back that night. These thoughts, keep us aware and vigilant. However, no matter how prepared you think you are, the very worst can happen. Some of Officer Winders encounters as a Police Officer back in the 70’s are outlined in this book. Some are funny. Some are intense. Every Police Officer, relates differently to their involvement with the citizens, as the situation warrants it. Compassion, holding a victim or ill persons hand, carrying an extra handkerchief to wipe away a lost child’s tears, helping to deliver a new life and yes, seriousness when needed. This one particular night, this Officer suited up and had no idea that his entire life would be changed forever. That he would experience pain like he had never felt before. That his dreams and thoughts would from then on be assaulted nightly. That he would have to adjust his entire life to face the future. Learn how Police Officers are really treated, and viewed by the public. Given the current way our society views police, this book allows you to see the world through a police officer’s eyes and maybe shows that all should not be judged on the actions of one.

About the Author

William Winder was born and grew up in the Bronx area of New York City. His father came to America from Ireland, became a US citizen, and worked as a taxi driver. His mother, also of Irish descent, was from Fall River, Massachusetts. She worked as a building superintendent. William mostly attended parochial schools early on, then attended a vocational high school and studied cabinetmaking. When he graduated from high school, the Vietnam War was in full swing, so he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He trained to be a rifleman and was sent to Vietnam. While there, because of his size and weight and expertise, he was volunteered to be a tunnel rat, the unofficial name for soldiers who cleared and destroyed enemy tunnel complexes. After serving fourteen months in Vietnam, he returned to the States and served out the remainder of his time in the Marine Corps in Norfolk, Virginia, as an MP and at the Brooklyn Navy Yard as a corrections officer in the brig. He met and married his first wife, Peggy, and soon after, they had a daughter, Elizabeth. He took the exam for the New York City Transit Police Department and was hired in 1974. He worked in Harlem and the South Bronx area mostly, near Yankee Stadium. After two years of marriage, he and Peggy divorced. Bill subsequently remarried twice, and it was while married to his second wife, Susan, that this incident happened. While trying to stop a bar robbery on January 8, 1979, Bill was shot in the face, throat, and upper chest with a shotgun from thirteen feet away. He was wearing a bulletproof vest he had purchased on his own. After his shooting, the department took quite an interest in the vests, and now all officers across our great country are fitted with bulletproof vests as part of their issued equipment. William was medically retired on February 14, 1980. While in service to the city of New York, he received two Letters of Commendation, was awarded three Meritorious Commendations, and was also awarded the New York City Transit Police Department’s Medal of Honor, the department’s highest award. As a fifth-degree black belt, he studied and taught karate for over fifty-four years. He is a member of the Rockland County, Spring Valley, New York Rotary International Club. He returned to Vietnam in 2011 and was astonished at how the country had changed. He currently resides in Connecticut with his lovely wife, Bonnie.