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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS For almost two decades I have worked with hundreds of law enforcement agents, locally, nationally, and internationally. Though too numerous to name, they often played vital, even heroic roles in the stories recollected in the following pages. So many times they made the suggestion, "If you ever write a book, Mary, write one that we would like to read." I hope I have succeeded. In addition, many who influenced this book's creation were participants in the workshops and seminars I conducted throughout the United States. I am grateful for their positive comments. More specifically, I wish to acknowledge three whose contributions here may be readily identified: Mary Lee Eggart, a remarkable scientific artist, and Kerry Lyle, a gifted photographer, provided, respectively , the drawings and some of the photographs for the text. And the wonderful Assistant Director of Louisiana State University Press, Maureen Hewitt, has my special thanks for seeing immediately what I was trying to accomplish in writing this book. xiv ACKNOWLEDGMENTS On a personal level, I want to acknowledge several friends who inspired me: Eileen Barrow, Beth Bassett, Maria Cashion-Lugo, Sandy Galloway, Sheila Faulkenberry, Saundra Henderson, Ann Ingram, Ginny Listi, Kathleen Marshall, Lamar Meek, Ann Marie Mires, Hampton Peele, T. O. Perry, Paula Cannon Porter, Miles Richardson, George Schiro, Paula Sheperd, Ann Whitmer, LarryWilson, and Leah Wood. In particular, I owe a debt of gratitude to my friend David Madden , Director of the United States Civil War Center, who believed in me from the beginning and who has encouraged me greatly throughout the last few years. His editorial comments helped in essentialways to shape this book. Finally, I thank my family: my husband's parents, Mary Dee and William Manhein, for making me feel so special; my sister, Ella Garren , to whom I owe my life itself; my sons, Andy and Trey, and my daughter-in-law, Kelly, for listening to all the early drafts and laughing at the parts I hoped were humorous; my niece, Missy Dodson, for her belief in my work; and my husband, Bill, for always encouraging me. I am grateful to be surrounded by so much love in my adult life. ...

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