Brian McKenna's Books

“Brian McKenna is one of our nation’s foremost authorities on police officer safety and training. Now, in Cops Under Fire!,  he generously shares his wealth of experience and knowledge with the citizens our nation’s police officers are sworn to protect and serve. The readers will get a front-row seat to the pressures, training, experiences, decisions, actions, and repercussions which are part of a police officer’s everyday calculus. If they are open and mindful, they will see policing through a different lens—that of the embattled officer—and will gain a better and more complete understanding of police use of force. Additionally, they will better understand their own role in the delicate contract between the police and the community. For those who are brave enough to accept this challenge, Cops Under Fire!  is the first step in understanding an aspect of policing that they’ve been fortunate enough to be shielded from, courtesy of the efforts and sacrifices made by uniformed men and women on their behalf. The reader is fortunate indeed, to have such an insightful, experienced and dedicated guide as Brian McKenna for this important journey.”

           Mike Wood: Author of Newhall Shooting: A Tactical Analysis

"For decades, Brian McKenna's analyses of police gunfights have taught lessons that guided police training and have saved countless lives. Having debriefed some of the same survivors I can confirm that Brian "gets it right," and extracts the salient life-saving lessons from these deadly encounters.  His work is a "must-read" for those who go armed in harm's way."

            Massad Ayoob, Author & law-enforcement trainer

"The name Brian McKenna is synonymous in the Law Enforcement community with relevant and realistic information regarding officer safety. Brian’s writings and teachings have reached tens of thousands of officers and have undoubtedly saved the lives of countless officers and civilians alike. You, the reader of Brian’s latest endeavor, become the benefactor of his years of experience and expertise in gleaning valuable learning points from violent police encounters. He does a masterful job of making you feel as if you are in the middle of the action as he relates real stories about heroic cops fighting for their lives. He then gears his analyses to key learning points for everyday citizens you will use the stories of these hero officers to improve your personal safety and increase your commitment to self-preservation. Look forward to an incredible journey of learning conflict avoidance, situational awareness, response selection and easy to implement safety tips. Unfortunately, our world is often not as safe as we pretend it to be. This timely information helps level that playing field."

            Ron Scheidt, Author and Law Enforcement Trainer

"Many people’s perceptions of the realities of police work are influenced by television, movies and incomplete media accounts of violent encounters involving the police. If you have every wondered, “Why did the police shoot that subject so many times?” or “Why did they have to shoot that unarmed mentally ill person?” then this book is for you. Brian McKenna is a master at researching, dissecting, recounting and analyzing violent encounters involving law enforcement professionals and pulling out the lessons learned. This book is about the service, sacrifice, heroics and humanity of the men and women who serve as law enforcement professionals and offers a glimpse into the real world of law enforcement for those citizens who are interested and open to learning."

           Brian Willis, Author and Owner, Winning Mind Training

"I have been using material from Lt. Brian McKenna (ret) since my early years as a road sergeant during roll call. His newest book, Cops Under Fire, continues his tradition of teaching vital facts and analyzing tactics so the reader can glean life sustaining habits. Brian’s ability to convey information will not only encourage continued reading and sharing of these stories, but will help to shape a new generation of citizen servant-warriors. I highly recommend Cops Under Fire to anyone interested in learning invaluable lessons about situational awareness, mental toughness, staying safe, overcoming adversity, and more—all though the eyes of streetwise officers who persevered against society’s worst offenders."

           Tim Barfield, Chief of Police, Wellington, Ohio Police Department, author and law enforcement trainer

 Listen to an excerpt of a Gun Talk Radio podcast about Cops Under Fire! here:    https://youtu.be/Rjl4_6ol-X0  

“There is no other person who can evaluate a deadly force encounter by police officers any better than Brian McKenna.  His experience and reputation as a comprehensive writer concerning deadly force is legendary, and his credibility is such that officers value his critiques. So do I.…  There is no doubt in my mind that this book will keep officers alive. Definitely a must read!”

          Ed Nowicki: Executive Director

          International Law Enforcement Educators & Trainers Association

“Brian McKenna … has assembled a volume of truly awe-inspiring examples of the warrior spirit.  These are lessons learned in blood and pain, lessons that can inspire and teach, lessons that will stir your soul.  This book should be read by every police officer … who is interested in the reality of combat.”

           Lt. Col. Grossman: Author of On Killing and On Combat

“I followed Brian McKenna's ‘Officer Down’ series in Police Marksmanfrom the beginning. His insightful learning points, gained from exhaustive debriefing of those involved … have done much to keep today’s generation and future generations of police officers safe. Strongly recommended!”

           Massad Ayoob: Director, Lethal Force Institute & law enforcement author

“Brian McKenna has been training me and other police officers for dec­ades through his ‘Officer Down’ column. Now, Brian has combined the lessons learned from decades of research into a book that brings the reader into each incident and offers vital contemporary Do’s and Don'ts. A must read for trainers and all ranks of law enforcement personnel.”

           Ed Deuel, Lieutenant (ret), Huntington Beach Police Department

          Co-director, Peace Officer Safety Institute LLC.