The recent arrest of Rex Heuermann, an alleged serial killer, stunned those close to the suspect. The “family was shocked, disgusted and embarrassed when authorities informed them of the crimes he is accused of,” said Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison.[1]
According to reports, in 2010, a young lady went missing and the investigation led officers to the beach at Gilgo Island, one of the many small islands near New York’s Long Island. A search of the beach along the Atlantic coast turned up ten sets of human remains. Four of the remains were young, petite female prostitutes who were reported missing between 2007 and 2010. Their similar demographics and manner in which the four were buried indicated they were victims of a serial killer. However, for several years, no suspect was connected to the victims and the case went cold until February 2022. It was then that a special task force was formed by Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney.
Better DNA forensic matching and the tenacious work of the task force to meticulously scour data from phone records soon led investigators to Rex Heuermann. Why was the family shocked? Because it seemed to be out of character for him. He was a family man with a successful business. From the outside, nothing pointed to Heuermann as a man with such a depraved heart as to be responsible for the horrendous murders he is accused of committing. Although the evidence is mounting against him, he remains innocent until proven guilty. Pray the truth is revealed and justice is served.
Serial killers have always lurked in the shadows and their identity is often a surprise, even to those closest to them. However, violent crime in our country—robbery, assaults, and murder—is becoming common with each passing day. Is there any hope in saving America? I address that question in a new book, Saving America.
New Book Coming Soon!
Public sentiment about the direction our country is heading is at an all-time low. According to several 2023 polls, only 24.6 percent of Americans believe the country is on the right track.[2] A recent letter from Oakland’s NAACP is telling:
Failed leadership, including the movement to defund the police, our District Attorney’s unwillingness to charge and prosecute people who murder and commit life threatening serious crimes, and the proliferation of anti-police rhetoric have created a heyday for Oakland criminals.[3]
The frustration these community leaders expressed is reaching a boiling point across the country. Is there hope for America?
There is hope for America! No doubt, our beloved nation has undergone a significant transformation over the last couple of decades. But all is not lost. This isn’t the first time our country was on the brink of collapse. And we can turn back from where we’re heading. In Saving America, I look at where we are, how we got here, and how we can get back. America can be saved. But it won’t be a government program, a political party, or even a president that will save America. It will be a renewed faith in God. Available soon on Amazon.
Israel Tour moved to 2025
To allow more time for planning and financing, The Strong Blue Line is moving our Israel Tour to March of 2025. More information to come. The cost will be approximately $4,900 per person, double occupancy (based on 2024 rates).
On the Road
Last month, Sherry and I were in Northern Idaho and visited Protector’s Peak, a beautiful retreat center hosted by Nate and Becky Harder. Retreats are available for law enforcement officers and chaplains, check out their website and consider supporting Protector’s Peak. San Antonio, TX was next up. I was honored to preach at the 46th Anniversary Celebration of New Life Baptist Church (planted by my dad). While in Texas, I connected with Stan Ponz and Jon Sperling of Clarity Christian College. Work began on curriculum for an LE Chaplains Academy. The 35-hour academy should be available in the spring of 2024.
This month, it’s off to Boise, ID to present a couple of chaplain seminars for the Boise PD. The training is for their chaplains, and they have opened it up to other chaplains and peer-support officers. The following week, I’ll be heading west again, this time to Medford, OR for a Winning a Gunfight and Moral Injury seminars hosted by the Southern Oregon Public Safety Chaplains.
Pray for your police.
[1] cnn.com/2023/07/20/us/gilgo-beach-serial-killings-rex-heuermann-house/index.html
[2] (Real Clear Politics, 2023)
[3] (Cynthia Adams, President of the Oakland Branch of the NAACP and Bishop Bob Jackson, Senior Pastor, Acts Full Gospel Church, July 27, 2023)
