Mafia Cop: The Story of an Honest Cop Whose Family Was the Mob
He was one of the most decorated cops in the history of NYPD. From his "wiseguy" relatives, he learned the meaning of honor and loyalty. From his fellow cops, he learned the meaning of betrayal. \ MAFIA COP\ His father, Ralph "Fat the Gangster" Eppolito, was stone-cold Mafia hit-man. Lou Eppolito, however, chose to live by different code; he chose the uniform of NYPD. And he was one of the best -- a good, tough, honest cop down the line. Butu even his sterling record, his headline-making...
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He was one of the most decorated cops in the history of NYPD. From his "wiseguy" relatives, he learned the meaning of honor and loyalty. From his fellow cops, he learned the meaning of betrayal.MAFIA COPHis father, Ralph "Fat the Gangster" Eppolito, was stone-cold Mafia hit-man. Lou Eppolito, however, chose to live by different code; he chose the uniform of NYPD. And he was one of the best — a good, tough, honest cop down the line. Butu even his sterling record, his headline-making heroism, couldn't protect him when the police brass decided to take him down. Although completely exonerated of charges that he had passed secrets to the mob, Lou didn't stand a chance. They had taken something from him they couldn't give back: his dignity and his pride.Now, here's the powerful story, told in Lou Eppolito's own words, of the bloody Mafia hit that claimed his uncle and cousin...of his middle-of-the-night meeting with "Boss of Bosses" Paul Castellano...of one good cop who survived eight shootouts and saved hundreds of victims, who was persecuted, prosecuted, and ultimately betrayed by his own department. Full of hard drama and gritty truth, Mafia Cop gives a vivid, inside look at life in the Family, on the force, and on the mean streets of New York. Publishers Weekly Eppolito grew up with the mob. His father, a brother and cousins were made men. He learned Mafia values of honor and respect. Yet after his father's death Eppolito joined the New York City police. He and Drury (coauthor of Fatso ) here record the explosive process of Eppolito's ``betrayal'' by the NYPD. Eppolito, who retired from the force in 1989, never stopped being a street kid, as fast with his mouth as with his fists. The 11th most decorated cop in the city's history, he is seen as a hot-headed policeman beating up junkies and other ``perps,'' a cop who nevertheless was a hero to the many he helped. Still, the Internal Affairs Division charged him with giving a Mafia ``pal'' confidential police reports. Eppolito was exonerated but here concludes that the Mafia knows more than the NYPD about honor and respect. His father used to instruct him, ``Never make . . . una brutta figura , a bad showing.'' As this account suggests, it's a lesson Eppolito learned well. Photos not seen by PW. Author tour. (June)
\ Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly\ Eppolito grew up with the mob. His father, a brother and cousins were made men. He learned Mafia values of honor and respect. Yet after his father's death Eppolito joined the New York City police. He and Drury (coauthor of Fatso ) here record the explosive process of Eppolito's ``betrayal'' by the NYPD. Eppolito, who retired from the force in 1989, never stopped being a street kid, as fast with his mouth as with his fists. The 11th most decorated cop in the city's history, he is seen as a hot-headed policeman beating up junkies and other ``perps,'' a cop who nevertheless was a hero to the many he helped. Still, the Internal Affairs Division charged him with giving a Mafia ``pal'' confidential police reports. Eppolito was exonerated but here concludes that the Mafia knows more than the NYPD about honor and respect. His father used to instruct him, ``Never make . . . una brutta figura , a bad showing.'' As this account suggests, it's a lesson Eppolito learned well. Photos not seen by PW. Author tour. (June)\ \ \ \ \ Library JournalEppolito grew up in a mob family in Brooklyn, where his father taught him to be tough, to show respect, and to hate cops. When Lou matured, his natural love of adventure and his distaste for the Mafia led him to join the New York Police Department. He soon became a legend, often decorated, and known for his free-wheeling approach to law enforcement. He maintained distant relations with his extended family, shying away from close ties that could taint his reputation. Yet he finally found himself facing suspension and possible arrest on (trumped-up, he claimed) charges that tied him to the mob. This as-told-to story relates Eppolito's childhood, early years in the department, efforts to clear his name, and post-cop life, including his fledgling career as an actor. This book bristles with street language and conveys a colorful and convincing personality. Eppolito can sound self-serving at times (he paints himself as something of a Robin Hood), but on the whole this is a successful and unique blend of cop and organized crime literature. For general collections. Previewed in Prepub Alert, LJ 2/15/92.-- Ben Harrison, East Orange P.L., N.J.\ \
