Behind the Badge- Finally Home

By Joseph Pangaro

Our world moves so quickly, especially in this modern world of digital everything. The 24 hour news cycle has brought the world into our living rooms; and with it the triumphs and tragedies of people everywhere. This constant stream of information can become like background noise, always buzzing.

I remember a time before cell phones and the internet; a time when you got your news at a specific time of the day, and on a favorite channel. I assure you this column is not about extolling the virtues of the good old days; instead it is a prelude and context for my main point. Back then, when we saw a news story about a major event the details were burned into our minds by the video we saw or the headline of the paper that screamed out to us.

Many of these stories fade into the background over time, resting quietly in our heads, sometimes for decades, sometimes forever, until something shakes them loose. It is in these moments that we relive those stories and the feelings and the connections associated with them.  

One such story that has moved me recently is the recovery of Jacob Wetterling, an 11 year old boy who was kidnapped from a rural street in his hometown in Minnesota in 1989. Jacob was last seen by his brother and a friend when a masked man confronted them with a gun and told Jacobs brother and friend to ride away and not look back. The boys did and Jacob was never seen again.

In 1989 I was the father of a 4 year old boy myself and the idea of this child being taken was overwhelmingly painful. Even as a police officer I knew that while such things didn’t happen around here very often, they did happen. The fear of such an event was something I think any parent can understand, the helplessness of it.

I remember seeing the news clip of the story and Jacob’s picture, his innocent facing smiling at the camera in what looked like a school picture. The reports were filled with the frenzy of the search for him; none of which amounted to anything. It was as though he simply disappeared off the face of the earth. In time the story faded away, along with the picture of this little boy; Jacob would join a countless number of other children abducted and disappeared.   

Over the years there was the occasional miracle story of an abducted child being located, in particular Steven Stayner, who was abducted by a pedophile in California and held captive for almost nine years before he escaped and was reunited with his family, but other than that these children were just gone.

I always wondered what happened to them; were they alive somewhere, like Steven had been. Would they one day be rescued and reunited with their families? As a father I prayed for them and their families; as a cop I always looked for anything that could indicate a child I came into contact with was in danger or was a missing child.

It is in this context that the news of this past month rekindled the memories of Jacob Wetterling; stolen from his family 27 years ago. The break in the case came when a pedophile with a history of abuse was investigated for possessing child pornography. He was also a suspect in the sexual assault of young boy in the 1990’s and had actually been a suspect in Jacobs kidnapping, but there was never any real evidence to link him to the crime.

Last week when the police questioned this person about the pornography they found in his home they also asked about Jacob Wetterling. In the course of the conversations a deal was worked out that allowed this demon to confess to his involvement with Jacobs kidnapping and provide information as to where the boy’s remains could be found.

After 27 years, Jacob was located, buried in a field in Minnesota. A place where he lay all those years as his family held out hope that he would one day come home to them alive. As I read the details of the killers confession and Jacobs parents reaction to it in the courtroom the memories of the news stories and Jacobs smiling face came flooding back.

I suppose it was the father in me that was most affected by the killer’s words as he told the judge how he chose Jacob and actually took him. The most haunting part of the confession had to be the killer’s recollection that Jacob asked him “What did I do?” meaning what did he do to deserve being kidnapped?

My heart broke as I pictured this little boy, alone and no doubt terrified, as this person abused and then killed him. I was enraged and overcome by a great sadness as the scene played out in my head. I prayed a loving God was with Jacob in his final moments, and I believe he was; I have to believe it.

As the days passed, my anger and sadness eased; but not much; I think of all the others children who, right now, languish away from their homes taken by other devils. It is a hard thought, but one that we must have if we are ever to find these children. Over time we will see more miracles like Steven’s, but unfortunately we will also see more homecomings like Jacob’s, or worse yet no homecoming at all.

Patty Wetterling is Jacobs Mother; she is now in her 70’s. She said she is heartbroken to learn that Jacob will not be coming home as she imagined and hoped for so long, but instead he will come home to his final resting place among family. At least he is home and she knows what happened to her boy, this is something many people will never get. In that I suppose is a measure of comfort and closure of this horrible circumstance.

In the days ahead, Jacob will once again fade from the headlines and from our thoughts. I am glad Jacob has been found, for tonight his parents don’t have to stare off into the distance and wonder if he is out there. He will not lay alone in a hidden grave, anonymous to the world for all time; he is finally home. I pray that all the other missing children find safe passage back to their families and that their circumstance will be more life affirming.

Thank you for coming on this sad journey with me; by telling his story we honor Jacob’s memory.

Let me know what you think.  Email: [email protected]