Two police officers fired for returning a drugged, naked Laotian boy to serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer lost a bid Friday to get their jobs back.
"The extent of their disregard for basic police procedure constitutes gross negligence," said M. Nicol Padway, chairman of the Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission. "Their conduct cannot and will not be excused as an error in judgment."Joseph Gabrish, 29, and John Balcerzak, 35, had pleaded guilty to an administrative charge that they failed to investigate when they encountered Konerak Sinthasomphone, 14, naked and incoherent outside Dahmer's apartment on May 17, 1991.
After his arrest two months later, Dahmer confessed to killing the boy hours after the officers left. Dahmer is serving life in prison for 15 killings in Milwaukee County, including Sin-tha-som-phone's, and one slaying in Ohio. Police who eventually searched his apartment found human heads, torsos and skulls inside.
Gabrish and Balcerzak contended that their mistakes didn't warrant dismissal. Their attorney, Ken Murray, said the officers were "scapegoats" for a police administration that didn't have the "guts or courage to take the heat" over the matter. He said he would appeal.
Relatives of Dahmer's victims uttered a hushed, "Yes," as the decision was announced.
"We feel relieved that you can find justice within the police department," said Stanley Miller, uncle of 22-year-old victim Ernest Miller.