The Sweet Tea Murders Books
If you enjoy the stories of Sweet Tea Murders, you can enjoy a little piece of Gulf Coast crime history at home.
Here you’ll find books inspired by the real cases, historic streets, and unforgettable characters that shaped the darker side of Southern history.
The Pensacola Crime Collection
The Last Stop: The final capture of serial killer Ted Bundy
He escaped prison twice. He crossed state lines, changed his appearance, and eluded the largest dragnet in American history. But on a quiet street in Pensacola, Florida, his luck finally ran out.
The Axe Murderer of Pensacola: The unsolved axe murder on Chipley Alley in Downtown Pensacola, Florida
As he made his way to the house, he kept to the shadows, in case anyone was awake and saw him. He eased up to the window and peered in; all was dark, and no one was moving. It looked safe. Slowly, he made his way up the steps. They made a creaking sound. He turned the doorknob and pushed the front door open.
Where the Streets Still Whisper: forgotten murders of Old Pensacola
To understand early Pensacola, you must forget the quiet coastal town you see today. Before brick sidewalks were swept for tourists and boutique cafes lined South Palafox, this was a booming, unpredictable deepwater port—raw, loud, and alive with hard men who lived and died by an unwritten code.
Sweet Tea Murders: A taste of Pensacola’s past: true stories of crime, mystery, and justice
Some Southern secrets never stop whispering. In Pensacola, they linger around an old courthouse, along streets that once led to a bustling waterfront, and beneath the familiar beauty of a city with more stories than it first reveals. Behind the historic buildings and inviting storefronts are accounts of ambition, betrayal, violence, courage, and questions that time has never quite answered.
I’m a Dead Man: The Kennedy Assassination – Pensacola link
They were after him and he knew it. He said to his brother, “I’m a dead man. They’re going to kill me, but I have run as far as I am going to run. It’s that Kennedy thing in Dallas.”
Murders in Paradise: A tragedy that struck the Florida panhandle
Peter and Emily were asleep in the charming little home they had made. Due to the hot Florida summer before air conditioning, windows were kept open to catch any breeze that could be found. The window screens kept out the mosquitoes and the pesky biting flies that visit the area every summer. But what happened next…
The Cop Killer in the Red Light District: The night that Willie O’Connell caught Roland Lalone
He killed a police officer, went to prison, escaped & fled south to Florida, where he killed another policeman. Then he headed west. His mistake was driving into Pensacola.
Gunny: The Bruce Harris story
He became “The Hunter.” Bruce showed up on the local news several times. He made the statement that he was going to find out who killed Ladarius and arrest them. The young men who murdered the athlete, for the first time, saw themselves as the prey and Detective Bruce Harris as the hunter. They were truly afraid. It was obvious that Bruce was unrelenting. He was going to get his prey.
He Killed a Man: The Shooting at Baker, Florida
The peaceful farming town of Baker, Florida, was shattered on one afternoon in January 1934. What began as a simple disagreement among neighbors over a property line ended tragically. The town was never the same again.
West Florida Law Enforcement
Pensacola’s Finest: The story of the Pensacola Police Department
This book examines the history of one of the most historic police departments in the United States. Like a tapestry, the blue line in Pensacola was – and still is – woven into the fabric of the town as its history is being written.
Stories of Pensacola’s Finest: Stories of one of the most historic police departments in the United States
This book seeks to document these stories from the perspective of the officer or his/her families, friends, or co-workers. It is my prayer that you can see the tragedies, comedies, and adventures through the eyes of those closest to it.
Some Gave All: The story of criminal justice officers in West Florida who died in the line of duty
“Greater love hath no man than this,
that he lay down his life for his friend.” Words of comfort, but they cannot bring him back.
Then the final call on the police radio – no answer
He is out of service.
Rest in peace, Sir. We have the watch.
A Tradition of Excellence: Training the nation’s finest law officers
Since 1821, West Florida has been producing remarkable law officers. Formal training classes began in the 1930s, long before they were introduced in other locations, and the training has been improving since.
Strategic and Tactical Success: A plan to excel through the Law Enforcement Acadcemy
Becoming a law enforcement officer is not just a career; it’s a calling. The law enforcement academy is the starting point for individuals who aspire to serve and protect their communities. However, the journey through the academy is not an easy one. It requires determination, resilience, discipline, and an unwavering commitment to the principles of justice.
Other books by Michael Earl Simmons
The Crabtree Gang: The gang begins
With scared, wide eyes, they all looked at each other. Slowly, they continued farther. With every step, the floor creaked. They crept their way to the back door, which was standing open. The old screen door, however, was not open. Each child walked through the back door, looking around as they entered.
360 Church Security: Safety, Ministry, and Everyday Awareness for the Local Church
Church security begins long before an emergency. It happens when someone notices a visitor who needs help, recognizes a developing problem, knows how to respond to a medical need, or makes sure children are cared for and protected.