10 Cops Who Turned Out to Be Murderers

10-Cops-Who-Turned-out-to-Be-Killers

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re discussing law enforcement officers through the decades who were eventually revealed to be ruthless murderers.

Craig Peyer

California Highway Patrol officer Peyer was arrested in the 1980s for the murder of 20-year-old Cara Knott. On December 27, 1986, Peyer stopped Knott under the guise of a routine traffic check on an isolated overpass. He then attacked her and pushed her off the bridge to her death. The investigation into Knott’s murder revealed a pattern of Peyer's predatory behavior, as other women came forward with complaints about his misconduct. In 1988, he was convicted of Knott's murder and sentenced to 25 years to life in prison. Peyer’s case highlighted the potential dangers of unchecked authority, and underscored the need for increased accountability among law enforcement officers.

Stephanie Lazarus

This Los Angeles detective only faced justice decades after her crime. In 1986, Sherri Rasmussen was brutally murdered in her home, and the crime went unsolved for decades. However, in 2009, DNA evidence linked Lazarus to the crime, revealing a tangled web of jealousy and deceit. Lazarus had dated Rasmussen's husband before their marriage, and her actions stemmed from unresolved romantic jealousy. Her training and position helped her evade suspicion for years. In 2012, Lazarus was convicted of first-degree murder, again highlighting the disturbing truth that even those sworn to uphold the law can commit heinous crimes.

Jeffrey Hall

This Newton, Kansas, police officer was convicted in 2019 for the brutal murder of his ex-girlfriend, Brittany Pfaff. In 2018, Hall, while serving as a patrol officer, shot Pfaff multiple times before setting her house on fire in an attempt to destroy evidence. The case highlighted Hall’s troubling history of domestic abuse and obsession with Pfaff, which escalated to a cruel and murderous end. His actions shocked the small Kansas community he was sworn to serve. In 2019, Hall was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, marking a grim end to a tragedy that shook the smalltown and exposed deep flaws in domestic violence prevention.

Antoinette Frank

This former New Orleans officer took part in a brutal triple homicide. In 1995, while on duty, Frank, alongside her accomplice, robbed a restaurant where she had worked off-duty. During the robbery, Frank shot and killed her fellow officer, Ronald Williams, and the restaurant's owners. The crime shocked the community, as Frank had previously been seen as a committed officer. However, her actions revealed a darker side motivated by financial desperation and a sense of betrayal. In 1995, Frank was convicted of the murders and sentenced to death. Her story highlighted the importance of psychological assessments for officers and the potential dangers of unchecked power in law enforcement.

Charles Becker

Becker was a New York City lieutenant involved in one of the most notorious corruption scandals of the early 20th century. In 1912, he was implicated in the murder of Herman Rosenthal, a gambler who had been speaking out against police corruption. Becker, who led the NYPD’s anti-vice squad, was accused of orchestrating Rosenthal’s murder to silence him. The high-profile case exposed widespread issues within the NYPD and jarred the public. Despite maintaining his innocence, Becker was convicted of murder in 1914 and executed in 1915. His case highlighted the dangers of deep-seated corruption in law enforcement.

Gerard Schaefer

A former sheriff's deputy in Martin County, Florida, Schaefer was a notorious serial killer who exploited his position of authority to commit heinous crimes. In the early 1970s, Schaefer was convicted of the brutal murders of two teenage girls, but he is suspected of having killed many more. Schaefer's modus operandi involved using his badge to lure victims, often hitchhikers, before torturing and killing them. His double life as a law enforcement officer and a sadistic killer was revealed when incriminating evidence was discovered at his home, including personal items belonging to several missing women.

Manuel Pardo

In the mid-1980s, this once trusted Florida police officer embarked on a murderous killing spree and took the lives of nine people, most of whom were involved in the business of illegal substances. Pardo, who initially claimed to be ridding society of criminals, justified his actions by portraying himself as a vigilante. However, his methodical killings contradicted any sense of actual justice, revealing a disturbing lust for violence. In 1987, he was apprehended and then eventually convicted of multiple murders, and eventually was executed in 2012, bringing an end to a dark chapter in Florida's history.

Louis Eppolito and Stephen Caracappa

Two New York City detectives became infamous as "The Mafia Cops." During the 1980s and early 1990s, the two men exploited their positions in the NYPD to work as hitmen and informants for the Lucchese crime family. They were involved in at least eight murders, as well as various other crimes, including drug trafficking and kidnapping. Their shocking betrayal of public trust came to light in 2005, leading to their conviction in 2006. Both were sentenced to life imprisonment for their roles in these crimes. The sordid tale of Eppolito and Caracappa highlighted the dangerous potential when officers betray society and align with organized crime.

Joe DeAngelo

A former police officer, DeAngelo gained infamy as the "Golden State Killer." Operating in California from 1974 to 1986, his spree included numerous burglaries and murders. Initially, his law enforcement role helped him evade capture, as he exploited his insider knowledge to avoid detection. However, a breakthrough came decades later, when advances in DNA technology led to his arrest in 2018. DeAngelo’s shocking double life stunned the nation, revealing how he maintained an outwardly normal existence while terrorizing communities. In 2020, he pled guilty to multiple counts of murder and other crimes, ultimately being sentenced to life imprisonment.

Drew Peterson

This former Bolingbrook, Illinois, sergeant became notorious nation-wide after the suspicious disappearances and deaths of two of his wives. In 2004, Peterson's third wife, Kathleen Savio, was found dead in her bathtub, initially ruled as an accidental drowning. However, suspicions grew when his fourth wife, Stacy Ann Cales, went missing in 2007. In light of Stacy's disappearance, Savio's death was reexamined and ruled a homicide. In 2009, Peterson was arrested and subsequently convicted in 2012 for Savio's murder. His disturbing behavior and pattern of domestic violence revealed a chilling abuse of power, as he used his training to evade suspicion. This case, like numerous others, highlighted issues of domestic violence and the need for improved protective measures.

Do you know of any other notorious figures that could have been on this list? Let us know in the comments.