Tom Basinski, B.A. `69

• What influenced you to change your decision of becoming a priest to becoming a police officer?
  The decision was a gradual one. There was no crisis of faith, or a sultry temptress lurking in the shadows of the seminary. Over time, I just decided I did not want to be a priest. I thought being a police officer was a good vocation of service. It was.



• When did you decide or realize that you wanted to become a writer?
  I always have been a writer. I was the sports editor of my high school newspaper, and the sports editor of the college paper in Michigan before I transferred to St. Mary´s.



• Were you personally involved with any of the events that happened in your story, "No Good Deed?"
  No. I was aware of the case when it happened. It was not until later I learned all the good "dirt" that was contained within the story.



• How did you do your research for writing details and information on the book?
  Fortunately, because I was a police officer in San Diego County for 35 years, I know almost all of the homicide cops and prosecutors. I wrote about 125 stories for the true crime pulp magazines for 17 years. The cops know they can trust me and that I would not sensationalize something at their expense. I submitted requests for interviews of some of the subjects in the book. If you buy the book, you will find that some would not talk to me, and some talked to me more than I think they wanted.



• Do you have any other works in progress?
  Yes. My agent has submitted a proposal, chapter outline, and the first 30 pages of my next project to my publisher, Berkley True Crime Books. They have the right of first refusal based on my contract with them.



• Are crime stories your main genre or do you plan to diversify your works?
  One should write what one knows. I know crime and sports. I am also a baseball and softball umpire. I do contribute to REFEREE magazine from time to time. I figure being an umpire is natural for me. I´ve been married for 34 years, and a cop for 35 years. Abuse is like oxygen to me. Bring it on, amateurs.



• Did you ever plan to become a writer when you were growing up?
  I had always thought about it. I kept a journal and wrote a lot of letters. That is the best training for an aspiring writer. Write something every day. Be a relentless, ruthless self-editor, too.



• What inspired you to write a book on this specific crime?
  You´ll have to buy the book. (The explanation is on page 258.)



• How did you get published?
  Most major publishers won´t deal with writers. My first obstacle was finding an agent. I have a stack of rejections from agents that is about an inch thick. I knew I had the makings of a good book, but no agent would take me on. I finally went to a book store and pulled out several books from the true crime section. I went to the "acknowledgement" section where the writer thanks everyone. I wrote down the name of the agents and sent my proposal to them. My agent, Jim Cypher, wrote back that he could sell my book. I signed on with him, and he sold it in a few weeks. He is an excellent agent.



• What was your most memorable experience at St. Mary´s?
  We really enjoyed seeing the Rattlers play basketball. Buddy Meyer was the director of intramurals, then. The University allowed the seminary to play in the fraternity intramural league. We happened to win the football and basketball championships my senior year, much to the chagrin of the Greeks. Harry Page, now a writer for the San Antonio Express-News, was then the sports editor of The Rattler. That football and basketball participation was great fun.



• Who was your favorite professor?
  Without a doubt it was the chairman of the Department of English, Brother Louis Schuster. He was terrific. He was a true scholar. He was funny and academically demanding. He is buried on the grounds of St. Mary´s now. Knowing that I wrote a true crime book in a mass paperback edition, he is either very proud of me, or he is turning in his grave.



• Do you have any advice for current St. Mary´s students?
  Enjoy your time at St. Mary´s, but take good advantage of the academic challenges. It´s a jungle out there, and prepare yourselves for it while you are at St. Mary´s.

We invite you to join the St. Mary´s University community as we celebrate the completion of the Barrett Memorial Bell Tower, the newest gathering place on campus. A special dedication ceremony will be held at:

10:30 a.m. on Friday, February 9.