Go Ahead and Shoot Me is a collection of stories written and edited by former probation officer Doug Heckbert about real people who have been convicted of real crimes and who have been on probation, on parole, or in prison. The title story is of a woman who shot her husband upon his insistence and who, like many other subjects in the book, have come to see their offences as being “pretty stupid.” Some stories might be described as ordinary crimes and some are stunningly extraordinary, but all stories show the human side of criminals that Heckbert worked with and came to know, not just the nature of the crimes they committed. By getting inside glimpses of offender’s backstories, motivations, and personalities, Go Ahead and Shoot Me shows there is much more to an offender than their criminal behavior. Says Heckbert, “I have always been guided by the mantra, “The criminal is not the crime.”

Doug Heckbert. Doug’s work experience includes probation officer and prison caseworker with Alberta Correctional Services, parole officer with the National Parole Service, staff trainer and program director with Native Counselling Services of Alberta, and instructor with MacEwan University. Doug obtained Bachelor and Masters degrees from the University of Alberta and has taught courses to community groups and conducted research projects concerning offenders.

Heckbert Doug's profile page

Howard Sapers. From 2004 to 2016 Howard was the Correctional Investigator of Canada. He has also served as Executive Director of the John Howard Society of Alberta, was an elected member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, Director of Canada’s National Crime Prevention Centre Investment Fund, and a Vice Chairperson of the Parole Board Canada. Recently he completed two years as the Independent Advisor on Corrections Reform for the province of Ontario.

Sapers Howard's profile page

Debbie J. Doyle. Deb is a retired veteran of the Edmonton Police Service. During her career, she was seconded to the United Nations Peacekeeping force in Timor Leste and worked in the Vulnerable Person’s Unit. After serving two tours of duty, she returned to Edmonton, was promoted, and worked in the Child Protection Section and the Internet Child Pornography section. She is currently writing novels and is presently compiling and editing, After the Force, Book 8 in the Durvile True Cases series.

Doyle Debbie J.'s profile page

“Go Ahead and Shoot Me! is a significant contribution as it tells another side of the story in the criminal justice system—not one many people are familiar with.” — Dr. J. Thomas Dalby, Forensic Psychologist

“Doug Heckbert encourages us to rethink what many have come to believe about criminal offences and the people who commit them. While never excusing criminal behaviour, he clearly explains that most crime results from poor decision making in difficult circumstances. Doug’s lifelong contribution to criminal justice education continues in this entertaining and thought-provoking account of his experience working in Canada’s criminal justice system.” — “Michelle R. Andrews BSW, MCA, Criminal Justice Educator

“I have witnessed many ordinary families torn apart by their child’s drug abuse and crime. With the right help and continued love and support of their child, many eventually return to normalcy, both for the child and the family. This is a common experience as shown in many of the stories in Go Ahead and Shoot Me. This is a compelling read based on informed reality that offers hope and strength to many community members.”— “Don Pare, former Sr. Mgr., Correctional Services of Canada and Chairman, RvC Inc. Venture Capital & Mentoring (retired)