PULLMAN, Wash. – Every spouse of a law enforcement officer fears that middle-of-the-night phone call. Author Lisa Simmons has lived the nightmare.
The widow of Washington State University alumnus (’79 criminology) and football player Randal “Randy” Simmons, a California SWAT officer, she has written a book about her husband’s multifaceted life and accomplishments before his death in 2008 during an 11-hour hostage rescue standoff.
She will sign copies of “41D Man of Valor,” noon-3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 10, at the WSU Bookie. Fittingly for Randy Simmons’ memory, it is a big football weekend. Also fittingly, it is Dad’s Weekend, and the Simmons’ son, Matthew, is a student and football player for WSU. He will be with his mother during most of the book signing.Randy Simmons was honored posthumously in 2009 with the first Cougar Courage Award from the WSU Alumni Association. See page 18 of the 22-page PDF here.
According to the book description on Amazon:
“Lisa Simmons’ biography of her husband narrates how Randy overcame trials and tribulations, put his faith in God and worked tirelessly to better the lives of underprivileged children. It shares the details of his life as a devoted husband, father, mentor, minister, football coach and 27-year veteran of the Los Angeles Police Department. It discusses his death as the first in LAPD history of a SWAT officer losing his life in the line of duty, his unprecedented funeral and the awards he received following his death.
“With honesty, candor and conviction, ‘41 D Man of Valor’ delivers a true story about a man who continues to inspire as much in death as he did in life. It shows how his legacy lives on through the many people he touched.”