Which singer was a police officer?

From NYPD Officer to Rock Legend: The Story of Eddie Money

Before he became a staple of classic rock radio, Eddie Money was walking a very different beat. Born Edward Joseph Mahoney into a family of New York City police officers, he naturally followed in his father’s footsteps. After high school, he trained as an NYPD officer and served for two years. However, his passion for music—and a desire to grow his hair long—eventually proved stronger than his commitment to the badge.

In 1968, Money decided to put his law enforcement career on hold to pursue his musical dreams full-time. He packed up and moved west to Berkeley, California, adopting the stage name Eddie Money. Performing in local venues, he caught the eye of legendary concert promoter Bill Graham, who helped mentor the young artist and landed him a contract with Columbia Records.

The gamble paid off quickly. His 1977 self-titled debut album went double platinum, launching immortal rock anthems like "Two Tickets to Paradise" and "Baby Hold On." Throughout the late 70s and 80s, Eddie Money dominated the charts with his soulful, working-class voice and memorable music videos, including hits like "Think I'm in Love" and the iconic duet "Take Me Home Tonight." Trading a police uniform for a microphone turned out to be one of the best decisions in rock history.