Back in February 1990, when Suffolk County Police Detective Dennis Wustenhoff got into his unmarked police car parked in front of his home in Patchogue and turned the key, a bomb went off that killed him. The case of who murdered Detective Wustenhoff has never been solved.
All these decades later, his wife and three children (one of whom joined the Suffolk Police Department in 2005) are still looking for answers.
Wustenhoff, who was working in the narcotics section at the time of his death, was 41-years-old with 19 years on the force.
Suffolk County Police Commissioner Geraldine Hart recently announced that the FBI is going to help review the details of the case, offering a fresh perspective on the murder investigation.
“It has been 30 years and Detective Wustenhoff’s murder remains unsolved therefore it is important that the department takes advantage of every resource available,” sais Hart in a statement. “Detective Wustenhoff’s family, along with colleagues from the department, deserve justice in this case.”
In addition to the FBI’s help, Suffolk Crime Stoppers is offer a $10,000 fast cash reward for information that leads to an arrest. Fast cash is a reward that is issued within 72 hours of an arrest.
“We are hopeful this fast cash reward will prompt someone with information about this case to come forward,” Suffolk County Crime Stoppers President Nick Amarr said. “We urge anyone who believes they have details about Detective Wustenhoff’s death to contact police.”
Anyone with information to share can contact Suffolk County Crime Stoppers to submit an anonymous tip by calling 1-800-220-TIPS, utilizing a mobile app which can be downloaded through the App Store or Google Play by searching P3 Tips, or online at www.P3Tips.com. All calls, text messages and emails will be kept confidential.