Joe’s story (Caged Sparrow) is about a chief narcotics officer in upstate New York who was convicted and imprisoned for a crime he did not commit, and sent to serve his sentence among prisoners who knew him, some of whom he was personally responsible for putting in prison.
Current Status:
2 July 2015: It’s a book! Buy it here. OR, to buy on Amazon, click here. And thank you so much for purchasing a copy. I hope you will be blessed by this most inspirational story. If you like it, please consider writing a review on Amazon.
15 May 2015: It is with great joy I announce that Caged Sparrow is finished. It will be launching soon, and there will be links on this web site as well as any others I can arrange. It will also be available at Amazon, in both Kindle and paperback format. I can’t wait for you to read it!
1 January 2015: Alas, but Joe and I have joined the list of rejection letter recipients. The main comment we’ve received has been, “This type of story isn’t selling right now.” So, now we change direction. I start the new year exploring the self-publishing venues. Still rejoicing…I’m not so down about the rejection letters — all the better story we’ll have to tell when the book is published. Going out on a limb here and stating that my New Year’s Resolution is to have a published book on the market by the end of April. Hold me to it, won’t you?
28 August 2014: Seriously? I’ve let it go this long? I’m SO sorry. Well, if you couldn’t guess by the blog entries, the book is finished and in the hands of a wonderful agent named Diana. I was in “wait” mode for nearly three months while my proposal slowly climbed its way up her slush pile. Now I’m in wait mode again while she contacts a few publishers. Watch my blog for updates on that. When we get a publisher, I’m going to shout it from the rooftops!
29 April 2014: Chapter 10 was rather painstaking, because it’s the meat of the story. I typed a year’s worth of nearly daily letters from Joe to his wife, Audrey so I could extract portions of them for the book. Today I put the final touches on 10 and I started on Chapter 11, where Joe is transferred to Albion Prison for a very cool reason. We’re nearing the end, folks! With God’s blessing, I should be nearly finished with the draft by the end of next week!
29 March 2014: My, my, but I’ve been remiss in my updates. I had a VERY productive month. I completed Chapter 6, in which Joe was arrested, and 7, where he contemplates murder and meets someone wonderful on the lane near his home who talks him out of it. Now I’m putting the last touches on Chapter 8, which covers the trial, and starting Chapter 9: Attica (I guess that kinda tells you how the trial went, no?) My plan is to have the first draft of the book finished in early April. Hanging in there!
10 February 2014: Oh, this is working well! No income yet, but significant advances for Joe. Finished Chapter 4; starting Chapter 5, in which Joe manages to make enemies–one even threatens his family.
24 January 2014: Last day at my federal job. No, it’s not a retirement, but a resignment. For the next few months, it’s all Joe’s Story, all the time.
31 December 2013: After two lackluster months, Chapter 4 is nearly completed, but it’s been a tough act, balancing family, work, and writing. Writing definitely took a back seat during the holiday season. Looking at 2014 with excitement. (More to come on that soon).
10 October 2013 (updated in December because I didn’t notice I’d forgotten…sheesh): Thanks to the U.S. Gvt shutdown, two more chapters have been completed. Looking at Chapter 4: The war against narcotics in the late 1960s.
31 August 2013: Working on Chapter 2: The life of a Buffalo police officer in the 1950s.
11 August 2013: Just finished the first draft of the first chapter. I learned a lot about life in Buffalo NY during the 1930s and 1940s. I’m honored to have been given a peek at Joe’s childhood years. It’s no wonder he became a policeman.
13 July 2013: Transcribing notes from a June interview and from letters Joe wrote from jail. I’m blown away by some of the adventures Joe had, and I can’t wait to share them with you!
Please check here for updates. I’ll share some…but only enough to make you want to read the book.
The Portrait Writer 
Joe Tutt was Chief of Narcotics in the 70’s. I was one of his young undercover Deputies. Many of the Deputies have passed on but I still think of Joe Tutt and his remarkable ability and cool nature in the War on Drugs. After the Narco Squad I completed my 40 year career with the Erie County Sheriff’s Office and the Army National Guard where I deployed 2006-2007 OIF.
Glad to meet you, Peter. He reads this blog, so I’m sure he’ll see your comment. If you haven’t read his book, I think you might like it. — Rose
And thank you very much for your service to our country. /0
I want to tell Joe and Audrey that I am their second cousin through my father, Vincent Navarra. I met them at a dinner in Middleport,NY several years ago with my mother, Rita.
I have purchased Joe’s book and want to know more. I remember Dad talking about this, but I was so young, the details are blurred.
Thank you Pamela,
I will send your note to Joe along with your email. I’m sure Joe will write you back! Enjoy the book!
I am writing on behalf of my parents, Danny and Millie Thomas to Mr.Tuttlomondo. My parents have spoken so highly of you when they reminisce about the old West side days. We were having coffee yesterday, and your name came up, decided to Google you and lo and behold!! Just ordered your book! Sending good wishes from Buffalo. Cindy Thomas Paar
That’s wonderful, Cynthia! Thank you! I will send this note to Joe right away. Hope you enjoy his story. 🙂