SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—When Ed Delfin moved from the Philippines to the U.S. as a teenager, he was faced with more than just the usual challenges of a new immigrant. Settling in Watsonville, Delfin noticed immediately the underlying issues with gang violence and its effect on the small community.
It was because of this, he said, that he decided to become a police officer, attending the academy and field training programs before becoming a street cop, a crime analyst, then moving on to specialized units. He now works as an inspector with the Santa Cruz County District Attorney’s Office.
Meanwhile, Delfin has also become involved in local youth ministry through churches and outreach programs. He is a licensed minister with the Assemblies of God.
All of these experiences have culminated in Delfin’s foray into writing. He said inspiration struck when he was doing a ride-along with a law professor and telling the man some of his stories.
“He said, ‘You’ve got to write this all down,’” Delfin said. “So I started collecting details, and eventually it morphed into something completely different.”
“Weapons of our Warfare” is a fictionalized retelling of Delfin’s experiences in law enforcement and ministry, and how they intersect and clash. It follows the story of Dan Bautista, who moves to California to join the police force and spread the world of the Gospel. When he arrives, he is struck with the reality and power of raw violence.
“Many, even those who live in South County: they don’t have a clear picture of what’s happening out there,” Delfin said. “How do kids live through this, and what do they end up doing with it?”
“Weapons of our Warfare” is Delfin’s first book; he called it his “rookie book.” Delfin said he had always enjoyed writing, but constructing a novel was a completely different experience. He has been working on the story for five years.
“This was a shift in my writing style. I had to be descriptive, put emotion in places I’d never thought to,” he said. “I have a whole different level of appreciation for writers.”
The book is not just a creative venture for Delfin. All proceeds will be donated to the International Justice Mission, a global organization aiming to combat human trafficking and slavery, violence against women and children, and police abuse of power.
“It’s a worthy cause,” he said. “Having worked [human trafficking] cases, I know that resources are not enough for those organizations. There is so much that needs to be done.”
Delfin hopes that “Weapons of Warfare” will give readers a picture of what he and his colleagues do.
“Working in youth ministry, and trying to reach the students in the community is one thing,” he said. And being a cop—that’s a whole different challenge. But for me it’s the same aim: being a positive influence in the community.”
For information and to order visit weaponsbook.com.
