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
Nestled along Long Island’s serene South Shore, Massapequa is a community where law enforcement is deeply embedded in daily life. Its residents often describe it as a “cop town,” home to NYPD detectives, multi-generational police families, officers from Nassau and Suffolk counties, and members of various other agencies. For years, the town’s tranquil image was disrupted by the discovery of body parts on Gilgo Beach in 2010, sparking fears that a serial killer might be lurking among its ranks.
The hunt for the killer
When the first remains appeared on Gilgo Beach—near the area where lifeguards and families gather during summer months—the mystery deepened. Rumors spread rapidly, with locals wondering if the killer was still active and whether they might be wearing a badge. These questions found resolution in 2023 when architect Rex Heuermann was arrested, bringing a sense of closure to the investigation.
“It’s a great relief,” said Craig Garland, a retired NYPD detective and Massapequa resident. “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 who 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 outside his Manhattan office linked him to the crime. His daily commute from Massapequa Park to the city took him past Johnny McGorey’s, a police bar where officers often gathered. The bar’s owner, Joanne Fountain, recalled how the homicide unit frequented the spot, their usual conversations turning to the unsettling developments at Ocean Parkway.
“They would come in, and we would be like, ‘What the hell is going on down at the beach, at Ocean Parkway?'” Fountain said, describing the regulars’ growing unease. “Then it was all day, every day, on the news.”
A legacy of service
Massapequa’s police families are more than just residents—they are a cornerstone of the town’s identity. “Probably more cops live in [the] Massapequa, Massapequa Park area than any other part of Long Island,” noted Bob Livoti, president of the Association of Retired Police Officers. The community’s law enforcement presence extends beyond police, with firefighters, medics, and officers from other agencies also rooted there. The town was severely affected on 9/11, with Nassau County losing around 350 lives, including many first responders.
Shadows of suspicion
The Gilgo Beach case added layers of intrigue to Massapequa’s law enforcement history. When Suffolk County Police Chief Jimmy Burke, overseeing the investigation, was arrested in 2013 on charges involving sex toys, pornography, witness coercion, and a cover-up, trust in the system was shaken. According to the US Attorney’s Office, Burke had entered Christopher Loeb’s home to retrieve stolen items, then beat him while in custody and attempted to conceal the incident. Burke pleaded guilty in 2016 and received a 46-month sentence.
“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,” said John Azzata, Nassau County’s retired homicide head.
The scandal also led to charges against Thomas J Spota, former Suffolk County District Attorney, and Christopher McPartland, the former chief of investigations. The events highlighted how deeply the killer’s presence had intertwined with the community’s own protective forces, even as the search for answers continued for years.
