James A. Bacca

James A. Bacca was born in Raton, NM, and raised in Albuquerque. He moved to Turlock, CA to go to college and became a Stanislaus County Paramedic. He went to the police academy in Modesto, CA and won the Outstanding Officer award. He took a leave of absence from Turlock Police Department to go into the U.S. Army where he flew scout helicopters for the 3/1 Cavalry. After returning to Turlock Police Department he became a detective and attended night law school at Humphreys College, graduating in 1998. He was awarded Officer of the Year in 1993 along with the department's Core Value-Trust award a few years later. After being injured and medically retired he began writing at the suggestion of his sister Becky. His first book, "Rumor of Death, An AJ Conti Novel," is the first in a series taking AJ Conti from Italy to Turlock, CA and ultimately to Albuquerque, NM.