This idyllic US town was full of police families – and a serial killer in their midst
This idyllic US town was full of police families – and a serial killer in their midst
On Long Island’s scenic South Shore, the town of Massapequa boasts a reputation as a “cop town,” with its residents often highlighting the presence of NYPD detectives, multi-generational law enforcement families, and officers from Nassau and Suffolk Counties. But this sense of community was shaken in 2010 when body parts began appearing on Gilgo Beach—a location just minutes from where local teens serve as lifeguards and families gather during summer months. The mystery sparked widespread speculation, with locals questioning whether the killer was a familiar face in their midst.
A Serial Killer’s Shadow
The discovery of remains at Gilgo Beach revealed a serial killer operating in the area for years. Rumors spread quickly, with theories about the suspect’s identity ranging from local law enforcement to outsiders. The 2023 arrest of architect Rex Heuermann brought those theories to an end. His admission in court this week to eight murders has offered closure to the law enforcement community, according to Craig Garland, a retired NYPD detective and Massapequa resident.
“It’s a great relief,” Garland said. “There were people out there trying to pin this on a cop and… it brings great closure to the law enforcement community at large [that] this wasn’t a cop that was a serial killer.”
Heuermann, a 62-year-old married father of two, was apprehended in July 2023 after DNA evidence from a discarded pizza crust linked him to the crimes. His daily commute from Massapequa Park to Manhattan took him past Johnny McGorey’s, a popular pub where officers gathered to discuss the search for the killer. The bar’s owner, Joanne Fountain, described how the homicide unit became a frequent presence. “They would come in, and we would be like, ‘What the hell is going on down at the beach, at Ocean Parkway?’ ” she recalled. “Then it was all day, every day, on the news.”
A Legacy of Service
Massapequa’s law enforcement legacy is deeply rooted in its culture. Bob Livoti, president of the Association of Retired Police Officers, noted that the area likely has more police officers than any other part of Long Island. “It’s the hub,” he said, emphasizing the town’s role in the region’s policing network. Fountain highlighted the personal connections, sharing a story about a bar staff member whose family history mirrored the town’s policing tradition. “His dad was a cop, his grandpa was a cop and he just got hired onto NYPD too,” she explained.
The town’s influence extends beyond police. It also houses firefighters, medics, and officers from various agencies. This dedication was tested during 9/11, when Nassau County lost around 350 lives, many of them first responders. Yet the Gilgo Beach murders created an additional layer of tension for law enforcement. John Azzata, a retired Nassau County homicide chief, called the prolonged investigation frustrating. “As an administrator and someone who was a cop, it was very frustrating that it took so long to discover… [who’s] responsible for these murders,” he said.
A Controversial Investigation
The case took a turn in 2013 when Suffolk County Police Chief Jimmy Burke, overseeing the Gilgo Beach investigation, was arrested on charges of sexual misconduct, witness coercion, and a cover-up. According to the US Attorney’s Office, Burke entered Christopher Loeb’s home to retrieve stolen sex toys and pornography, then beat Loeb while in custody and tried to conceal the incident. He pleaded guilty in 2016 and received a 46-month sentence. The scandal also led to convictions for Thomas J Spota, the former district attorney, and Christopher McPartland, the chief of investigations, who each received five-year prison terms. Despite these setbacks, the community ultimately found its answer in the form of Heuermann’s arrest, bringing an end to years of uncertainty.
