The Jack Nicholson film The Departed didn’t tell half
of their story. A poor kid from the slums, Robert
Fitzpatrick grew up to become a stellar FBI agent and
challenge the country’s deadliest gangsters. Relentless in
his desire to catch, prosecute, and convict Whitey Bulger,
Fitzpatrick fought the nation’s most determined cop-gangster
battle since Melvin Purvis hunted, confronted, and killed
John Dillinger.
In his crusade to bring Bulger to
justice, Fitzpatrick faced not only Whitey but also corrupt
FBI agents, along with political cronies and enablers from
Boston to Washington who, in one way or another, blocked his
efforts at every step. Even when Fitzpatrick discovered the
very organization to which he had sworn allegiance was his
biggest obstacle, the agent continued to pursue Whitey and
his gang . . . knowing that they were prepared to murder
anyone who got in their way.