During the evening of July 22, 1991, Milwaukee police officers Joseph Gabrish and John Balcerzak were alerted by an anxious mother reporting her son’s abduction.
Upon discovering the mother’s son in the presence of Dahmer’s victim, Konerak Sinthasomphone, Gabrish and Balcerzak, despite Konerak being naked and covered in blood, released him to Dahmer’s custody.
This decision proved to be fateful, as Dahmer proceeded to kill and dismember several more victims before being apprehended.
While Gabrish and Balcerzak have faced criticism for their handling of the situation, it is essential to consider that they were responding to a call in which no crime had been reported.
In hindsight, it is evident that they made a grave mistake in releasing Dahmer, but it is also important to recognize that they were not trained to handle such a situation.
To What Extent Are Officers Joseph Gabrish And John Balcerzak Responsible for Konerak Sinthasomphone Death?
Konerak Sinthasomphone, 14, was handed over to Milwaukee’s cannibal Jeffrey Dahmer by John Balcerzak and his colleague Joseph Gabrish.
As the Milwaukee police officers handed Konerak over to Dahmer, he went on to brutally murder four additional victims, in addition to the youngster.
Despite objections from Glenda Cleveland, a neighbor of Dahmer, and other women present at the scene, the police officials still surrendered the boy to Jeffrey.
Dahmer killed the boy shortly after. He even engaged in a sexual act with the corpse. The media labelled the police officials, Gabrish and Balcerzak, the “Dahmer cops,” for the negligence they displayed in the case.
Both men went on to enjoy long careers as Wisconsin law enforcement officers, despite the controversy that made national headlines at the time of Dahmer’s arrest.
According to the Advocates, Police Chief Philip Arreola terminated two policemen, John and Joseph, but a court ruling led to their reinstatement. Robert Parins, a reserve judge, issued the decision.
Reportedly, the judge stated, “The firings were too severe a punishment and that former Officers John Balcerzak and Joseph Gabrish should be reinstated, with back pay of nearly $55,000 each,” according to an Associated Press article from 1994.
Where Are Joseph Gabrish and John Balcerzak Today?
Milwaukee police officers Joseph Gabrish and John Balcerzak are still active in 2022. They have worked together for several years and have established a good rapport. Both officers are highly esteemed by their peers and the community.
In addition to their regular duties, Gabrish and Balcerzak have been involved in numerous high-profile cases, notably the investigation of a serial killer active in the Milwaukee area.
Thanks to their dedication, the killer was eventually apprehended and brought to justice.
Today, Gabrish and Balcerzak continue to serve the citizens of Milwaukee with distinction. They take pride in being part of a department renowned for its professionalism and commitment to public safety.
Do Joseph Gabrish and John Balcerzak Feel Guilty?
Joseph Gabrish and John Balcerzak were the two Milwaukee police officers who located Jeffrey Dahmer’s first victim, Stephen Hicks, and then restored him to Dahmer’s apartment (O’Brien, 1996).
It is uncertain whether or not they felt remorseful about this decision. It is known that when they returned to Dahmer’s apartment to arrest him, they discovered that he had already killed and dismembered another man, Anthony Sears (O’Brien, 1996).
If Gabrish and Balcerzak had been more diligent in their investigation of Dahmer, perhaps they could have saved Sears’ life. As it stands, however, they must live with the knowledge that their carelessness resulted in another death.
