Retired police officer turns experiences into novel

Brian Harris saw a lot during his 22 years in law enforcement. Now he’s sharing that experience with the world through his first novel, “I’ll Spell It Out.”

Harris said the story is fiction, but many characters and events are based on his real life.

“It was time to get those demons out on paper,” Harris said.

Harris was born and raised in Havre, and at age 19 moved to Seattle with the intention of pursuing a career in law enforcement.

Growing up with an aunt who was a judge, an uncle who was a city cop and later served on the border patrol, and a stepfather who was a military police officer, made it an easy and familiar career choice.

“It was in my blood,” Harris said. “I always knew it’s what I wanted to do.”

Soon after moving, Harris got the opportunity to work as a guard in a women’s prison in Gig Harbor, Washington. What he thought would just be “a foot in the door” job actually became the first important step in both his career and personal life.

He met his wife, Angie, while working at the prison. She was a Marine-turned-correctional officer, and Harris was one of her trainers when she was hired at the facility.

They were married in 1996, and together have adopted four children through Child Protective Services. Harris said his family has been through a lot over the years, and couldn’t be happier about being in the Flathead Valley.

“They’re such tremendous kids; we couldn’t be happier,” he said.

After Gig Harbor, Harris took a job at a maximum security men’s prison near Spokane, then a position with the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office in Eastern Washington.

“I kept moving closer to Montana,” Harris said. “I couldn’t get Montana out of my blood.”

In 2005 Harris was hired by the Kalispell Police Department. He said he was thankful to be able to move the family to Montana, but even more grateful for the support and professionalism he found in the department.

“[Kalispell Police Department] was the perfect fit,” Harris said. “The level of professionalism in the department is just unbelievable. I was so impressed ... so lucky to be part of it.”

Harris retired as a master patrolman from the Kalispell Police Department in 2012, after living his dream of service for 22 years.

“I loved every minute of it,” he said.

After retirement, Harris said he began thinking about writing and sharing some of his experiences. He decided to go back to school to earn his master’s degree, with the goal of being able to teach criminal justice and criminology courses at the college level.

While taking classes he had the opportunity to write an autobiography as part of his course work. Once that was complete, he “decided I may as well write the book.”

Harris said “I’ll Spell It Out,” a police thriller and murder mystery, takes a fictional look into the mind of a serial killer and the officers who pursue them. His characters and plot draw on his real-life experiences.

As a law enforcement officer you “see horrific things on a regular basis,” Harris said. “But at the time when it’s happening, you just have to get the job done. But that needs to come out eventually ... all the bad stuff has to come out.

“It was therapeutic for me to write those things down and get it out of my system.”

Talking to a friend and fellow retired officer about his writing, Harris was able to connect with his publisher, Easytime Publishing. He said he was surprised how much work was done after the initial story was written.

“I put it on paper, and then the work started,” he joked.

He credits his wife as being his biggest supporter and also his best editor during the process.

“It took my ideas and her editing to put it all together,” Harris said. “Without her help, I wouldn’t be anything.”

The finished novel was released in June. Harris said he’s already working on the next one.

He said his goal with “I’ll Spell It Out” is to tell a good story, but also to raise awareness.

“The story kind of gives [readers] a reality check,” Harris said. “I really tried to express how easy it is to become a victim. Not to scare people, but just to make them aware.”

“I’ll Spell It Out” is available for purchase through Amazon.com, or by contacting Harris directly by email at illspellitout@gmail.com.

As for what’s next, Harris said he looks forward to continuing to write but would still like to teach as well.

“Whatever’s meant to be will happen,” he said.

Entertainment Editor Stefanie Thompson can be reached at 758-4439 or ThisWeek@dailyinterlake.com.