This idyllic US town was full of police families – and a serial killer in their midst
Massapequa: A Town of Police Presence
Massapequa, a community on Long Island’s South Shore, is often described by its residents as a “cop town.” Located just an hour’s train ride from Manhattan, it is a hub for law enforcement, home to NYPD detectives, multi-generational police families, and officers from Nassau and Suffolk Counties. The town’s tight-knit community has long been intertwined with the work of officers, who are both present and protected within its borders.
The Gilgo Beach Mystery
In 2010, the discovery of body parts along Gilgo Beach sparked a wave of speculation. The location, near where teens serve as lifeguards and families gather during summer, became the site of a chilling serial killer’s activity. Questions arose: Was the murderer local? Still active? And could he be wearing a badge? These theories gained traction as the investigation dragged on, with law enforcement grappling to find answers.
“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 that was a serial killer.”
The Closure of a Case
The 2023 arrest of architect Rex Heuermann provided resolution. His DNA, found on a discarded pizza crust near his Manhattan office, linked him to the crimes. The arrest, followed by his court admission to eight murders, brought “closure” to investigators. Heuermann’s daily commute from Massapequa Park to NYC took him past Johnny McGorey’s, a local police bar where officers often gathered to discuss the case.
“They would come in, and we would be like, ‘What the hell is going on down at the beach, at Ocean Parkway?’ ” said Joanne Fountain, owner of Johnny McGorey’s. “Then it was all day, every day, on the news.”
A Legacy of Service and Speculation
Massapequa’s law enforcement legacy is deeply rooted. “Probably more cops that 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 town’s officers are said to “eat, sleep and breathe” their work, a pattern reflected in families where generations have served in policing or other first-responder roles.
Law enforcement in Massapequa was further tested by the 2013 arrest of Suffolk County Police Chief Jimmy Burke. While leading the Gilgo Beach investigation, Burke was accused of using sex toys and pornography to coerce witnesses and cover up misconduct. His guilty plea in 2016 led to a 46-month prison sentence, adding to the community’s frustration over the prolonged hunt for the killer.
Tragedy and Resilience
The town’s history of service was underscored by its role in the 9/11 tragedy, where Nassau County lost around 350 lives, including numerous first responders. Yet, the Gilgo Beach case highlighted both the strength and vulnerability of its law enforcement network. As officers debated whether the killer might be one of their own, the community remained united in its search for truth.