Buddy Boys

When Good Cops Turn Bad

By: Mike McAlary

Narrated by: Dan Triandiflou

A shocking true story of corruption and crime in the ranks of the NYPD in the worst police scandal since the revelations of Fred Serpico.

In the 1970s, New York City's 77th Precinct was known as "the Alamo". In Bedford-Stuyvesant and Crown Heights, Brooklyn - neighborhoods notorious for drugs and violent crime - some of the worst criminals wore police uniforms and carried badges. Henry Winter was a good cop when he first entered the infamous 77th station house, which was already infamous as a home to the dregs of the NYPD. Before long he and fellow officer Anthony Magno found themselves deeply entrenched in the Alamo's culture of extortion, lies, corruption, and crime - and they were regularly supplementing their incomes by ripping off thieves, drug dealers, junkies, and honest citizens alike.

But the gravy train couldn't stay on the rails forever. Winter and Magno were caught and faced a devastating choice: They could betray their crooked friends and colleagues by helping investigators expose the rot that festered at the Alamo's core - or spend the next several years behind bars.

In Buddy Boys, Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalist Mike McAlary blows the doors off one of the worst scandals ever to taint New York's uniformed guardians, the men and women sworn to protect and serve the populace. Blistering, shocking, and powerful, it's a frightening look inside the NYPD and an eye-opening exploration of the daily temptations that can seduce a good cop over to the dark side.

©1987 Mike McAlary; This edition published in 2015 by Open Road Integrated Media, Inc. (P)2015 Audible, Inc.

Informative

I did not know about this scandal; did not follow the news when I was young. Very informative. Very sad. I have listened to this May 2025. Glad I listened to it, but will probably not listen to again.

I listened 3 times straight

This book was well written and easy to follow. Although I listen to it 3 times straight I very well may listen to it 1 more time because the story is so compelling