A Badge of Dishonor and Betrayal is a non-fiction account of an Alabama sheriff, three U.S. soldiers, and the tragic night that brought them together. The sheriff, elected by the citizens of Madison country, Alabama, took office in January 1977. Six months later, his life became intertwined with three young soldiers then stationed at the U.S Army's Redstone Arsenal near Huntsville, Alabama. The events of that night led to probes by the U.S Army Provost Marshall at Redstone, U.S Justice Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Alabama's Bureau of Investigations. When it was over, it had gone all the way to then President Jimmy Carter.

“Unflinchingly honest and jubilantly hopeful, this is nonfiction storytelling at its best.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review) Mention the civil rights era in Alabama and most people recall images of terrible violence. But for the citizens of Huntsville, creativity, courage, and cooperation were the keys to working together to integrate their city and schools in peace. This engaging celebration of a lesser-known chapter in American and African-American history shows how racial discrimination, bullying, and unfairness can be faced successfully with perseverance and ingenuity.