John Shiffman

In “Hold the Line,” now retired police officer Mike Fanone writes about his experiences during the January 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol. After giving the background of his 20 years with MPD, he tells the story of what happened to him and the extensive injuries he received, he essentially narrates the video from his body worn camera. He then goes on to describe his efforts the ensure the riot doesn’t become a political footnote and that the efforts and sacrifices of the involved police officers is remembered. He also describes his alienation from his fellow officers as a result of his media exposure. He notes that his original appearances in front of the media were organized by the department and that he did not go out looking for them. I have no reason to think Fanone wrote anything other than the truth.

While I retired about 13 months prior to the events of January 2021, I worked for MPD for 30 years. I knew Fanone in his younger, more reckless days, but I don’t doubt that he eventually became the veteran police officer he describes. I know many of the officers and officials he discusses in the book and I didn’t find anything he attributed to them to be unbelievable. Many current and former MPD members have been hostile towards Fanone for his conduct during and after January 6, unfortunately I think Fanone is correct when he attributes this animosity to their support for the former president.

Read it and make up your own mind.… (mehr)

It's hard to believe that a situation would arise where a redneck Republican 20-year police veteran would be beaten, tazed and called a traitor (and much worse), by supporters of the former president for simply trying to do his job on January 6th, 2021. Yet that is what happened. Michael Fanone suffered a heart attack and a concussion during the assault and, in addition, was threatened with shooting from his own gun. For this, you would think that the Congress he fought to defend would be appreciated, but the truth is that many members refused to shake his hand, talk with him, or vote for any show of appreciation for what the Capitol Police and MPD officers did to defend them on that date.

You may have heard or read all of this and drawn conclusions about Fanone. Most likely they conform to your world view. If so, that says more about yourself than about this officer. For this reason, it behooves all of us to read this book with an open mind. You may be surprised by what you learn. I know that I was.… (mehr)