NEWSLINE: Randal Simmons story now a book

WHEN LOS ANGELES police officer and SWAT team member Randal Simmons was killed in the line of duty in 2008, the details of his seemingly quiet life suddenly became very public. And what we learned was that this former Washington State defensive back, whose son Matt Simmons now plays for the Cougs, wasn't just a regular guy. In so many ways, he was a remarkable guy.

And now his wife, Lisa, has written a book, "41D -- Man of Valor," named for Randy's police radio handle, the Mercury News reported this week.

Lisa Simmons told the newspaper she wrote the book (it initially started out as a screenplay) mostly as a historical record for her and Randy's two children, Matt and Gabrielle, and their future descendants.

In late 2010, Lisa began writing down thoughts on her husband's life, a therapeutic process that had her alternately laughing, crying and screaming.

"He had compassion for the lost, the lonely, the sick, the poor, and the brokenhearted," Lisa Simmons writes in the book.

A quick check shows the book is now available for sale on Amazon.com and BarnesAndNoble.com.

For the full article in the Mercury News, CLICK HERE

And for more on Randal Simmons, head to the CF.C archives by clicking HERE.