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John Balcerzak and Joseph Gabrish are two infamous police officers who gained national attention when their story of handing a victim back to serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer was uncovered. After the incident, they have been both extremely controversial and have had reputations as possibly two of the most hated police officers in America.
Jeffrey Dahmer incident
On May 26, 1991, 14-year-old Laotian-American Konerak Sinthasomphone was lured to Dahmer's house in order to pose for nude photographs, in exchange for money. Coincidentally, Dahmer had actually molested his Sinthasomphone's older brother in the past. He posed for two photos before Dahmer drugged him and injected hydrochloric acid into his skull. Dahmer then left to purchase alcohol.
Upon return, Dahmer noticed Sinthasomphone sitting nude and speaking in Lao to three women. Dahmer approached the three women and stated that he was his friend and planned to bring him home. The women ignored his lie and stated they called 911.
When Balcerzak and Gabrish arrived, Dahmer became relaxed and lied to the police that Sinthasomphone was drunk and planned to bring him home. The three women greatly protested against bringing him to Dahmer's house, and the officers rudely stated for them to "butt out" and "shut the hell up", and stated that the incident was domestic. The two police then wrapped Sinthasomphone in a towel and walked him home with Dahmer. The officers noticed a foul smell (which was coming from one of Dahmer's victims' corpses), but ignored it. The officers then left, and told that Dahmer should "take good care" of Sinthasomphone. Had they conducted a background check on Dahmer, it would have revealed that he was a convicted child molester under probation. Upon their departure, Dahmer proceeded to kill Sinthasomphone and the next day, desecrated his corpse.
Balcerzak and Gabrish were fired after their actions were widely publicized. They had even made homophobic remarks after leaving the scene, as caught on audio recording. Both officers later appealed their termination. Judge Robert Parins (former Green Bay Packers Coach) decided the case and ruled in favor of the officers, allowing them to be reinstated. This decision was predictably controversial.