Michigan & Rookie

In Saginaw Michigan-a city plagued with gang violence-Officer Joaquin Guerrero sensed God's call to work the dangerous night streets with his K9 partner a ninety-pound German shepherd police dog named Rookie. On 9/11 Guerrero and Rookie responded to Ground Zero to help in the search efforts. For seven long days the pair worked "The Pile" with a never-give-up spirit. With Rookie as his mascot Guerrero created Precinct 131 an educational program to keep kids from turning to gangs. Michigan and is a remarkable story of service to community and country.   Barbara Marshak is the author of Hidden Heritage: The Story of Paul LaRoche the inspiring biography of the Native American recording artist Brulé. Hidden Heritage earned Finalist in the Biography category of the National Indie Excellence Awards (2007) and the USA Best Book Awards (2006). Barbara also co-writes for Hidden Heritage, a documentary-style television series based on the book and hosted by Paul LaRoche on RFD-TV. Barbara's writing portfolio includes over 150 published pieces and in 2010 two of her short stories were selected for publication: Prairie Promises (first place) in a regional literary journal and Lost Letters (finalist) in a western anthology. In 2008 Barbara won the Bearlodge Writers Residency at the Devils Tower National Monument Wyoming. Barbara resides in Minnesota with her husband and family.