'Officer Down: The Murder of Detective Dennis Wustenhoff'
The family of Dennis Wustenhoff is desperately searching for answers as rumors spread about who may have murdered their father.
Oct 25, 2024, 7:20 AM
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A bomb detonated in a small town, killing a beloved police detective in 1990.
It sparked anger, outrage and calls for justice. Now, a family is desperately searching for answers as rumors spread about who may have murdered their father.
Suffolk County Detective Dennis Wustenhoff was killed on Feb. 15 when a bomb planted in an undercover police car exploded just moments after he got into the vehicle parked in front of his North Patchogue home. Neighbors say you could hear the explosion blocks away.
His son, Kevin, told News 12 that the blast went straight up into his body.
“It's the springs in the seat … it's the carpet, it's the molding, it's the seat upholstery," he said. "It's all of those things at a trajectory that's unimaginable. Being fired up into your body and then being awake after it happens.”
At the time, Wustenhoff was the first Suffolk officer killed in the line of duty since 1978. Shortly after the funeral, the investigation took an unexpected turn. Rumors about a love triangle started to emerge and the children are demanding answers.
