Good Cop or Bad Cop? The Story of Billy Joe McIlvain and the Murder of David Dominguez

On February 28, 1977, former police officer Billy Joe McIlvain entered his West Covina home with local 18 year old gang member, David Dominguez. McIlvain shouted out to his wife to grab the baby and run as Dominguez was there to kill them. She picked up her child and went to a neighbor's house. The police were called and when they arrived, a seige ensued that lasted many hours with over 100 shots fired. Finally, Billy Joe came out after killing David Dominguez with a gun he had hidden away. But soon, his story of being kidnaped and killing in self defense began to unravel as the evidence at the scene did not fit with the story he told. Was he the victim or the perpetrator of the crime? He was arrested, tried and convicted for kidnap and murder but always maintained his innocence.

This is the true story as told by fellow police officer who witnessed the events first hand. It details the threats and many acts of harrassment that took place over several years building up to the killing and along the way, also introduces the reader to what it was like to be a police officer in Los Angeles County in the 1970s. Good Cop or Bad Cop? You decide!

Book length: Approximately 178 pages