Silent Witness-Catch a Crook

Sgt. Darren "Rubber Shoe Guy" Burch introduces author Camille Kimball at Phx Country Club

Keeping a community safe is a full time job. But even cops can't do it without you. Some crimes can only be solved with the help of a person who saw or heard something or knows someone. That's where Silent Witness comes in. Did you know the rewards offered by Silent Witness are raised through private donations?

This week I got to do my part to help. Best of all, I got to tell the story that takes place in A SUDDEN SHOT: THE PHOENIX SERIAL SHOOTER because no case better illustrates what a crucial role Silent Witness can play in keeping bad guys off our streets.

Author Camille Kimball talks serial killers to the Silent Witness donors

 The event took place at the Phoenix Country Club. I was very proud and honored to deliver a book signed by serial killer survivor Paul Patrick for auction. Paul, your book went to one of the many detectives who worked on the Serial Shooter case but who never got any of the credit or acclaim because it was impossible to name all the foot soldiers required for this case.  She was very moved by your autograph, including the date you were shot, on the title page.

One of my very favorite part of the events was getting to work with Sgt. Darren Burch. If you have read the book, you may recognize him better as "the rubber shoe guy."  Burch is a bona fide, quick-thinking, rush-into-harm's-way hero.

I won't give too much away but this is from the book, A Sudden Shot, including quotes from Darren Burch about a scene that was "gruesome and chaotic." And dangerous.

...the gray started to subside, the eyes came back into focus and 'he started looking up at me. "'Stay with me!'I told him."  

      At the same time, Officer Burch had no way of knowing what had happened, what role the two unharmed but agitated men had played...and he could not reach his radio for help.

Sgt. Burch not only saves lives, he happens to handle Silent Witness. If you'd like to make a donation to Silent Witness, you might end up talking to him and what a privilege that would be. (Click here for Silent Witness)

An idea was hatched at this event by Sean McLaughlin and Cara Liu of Channel Five KPHO. Watch for "Wristband Wednesdays" coming soon on Channel Five with Sean. It's all about unsolved crimes. I received my own bracelet at the Catch a Crook event. I'll give more details on this next week.

Photos by Dinah Brooks

Psssst...watch for A SUDDEN SHOT on Wicked Attraction!

Camille Kimball's books:

What She Always Wanted

A Sudden Shot

The Mammoth Book of Tough Guys
Coming soon: Masters of True Crime-Chilling Stories of Murder and the Macabre