Suffolk Police Commissioner Resigns Months After Gilgo Suspect Arrest

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — After the sudden resignation of Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison, County Executive Steve Bellone released a statement Friday, thanking Harrison for his service.

Harrison announced Thursday night that he'd be leaving the position, according to the New York Post. The news came just under four months after the arrest of Rex Heuermann, the suspect in the Gilgo Beach killings.

"For the last two years, Commissioner Rodney Harrison has led the Suffolk County Police Department with honor, integrity, and distinction," Bellone said. "Because of his efforts, our communities are safer, the department is more equitable, accountable and transparent, and meaningful relationships have been fostered with our diverse communities."

Harrison’s achievements are "innumerable," Bellone said, including the continued implementation of the county's police reform plan, investments in officer safety and tackling quality of life issues.

"But the most significant in his tenure is the arrest of an alleged serial killer in connection to the Gilgo Beach homicide investigation," Bellone said.

Bellone added: "On the day I nominated Commissioner Harrison for the post, December 14, 2021, I specifically cited the Gilgo Beach serial murder case as the top priority. I said that Commissioner Harrison would ‘bring to bear his extensive investigative experience on this case and work with our federal, state and local partners to help bring closure to the victims and their families.’ "

During his first week on the job, Bellone said, Harrison toured the Gilgo site himself "and made a commitment to families to do everything in his power to solve the case. And just six weeks later, he established the Gilgo Beach Homicide Investigation Task Force on February 15, 2022, which ultimately led to the arrest in the case."

Harrison, Bellone said, was the first person ever to rise from the NYPD cadet program to become the top uniformed officer in the largest police department in the nation.

Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney also lauded Harrison: "Commissioner Rodney Harrison made history in Suffolk County as the first black police commissioner, improving police and community relations. I am forever grateful for his commitment to partnership with my office over the past two years to keep Suffolk County safe. As he prepares for his next chapter, I wish him and his family the best during this time of transition."

"He continued to make history in Suffolk County as the first black commissioner in the department’s history," Bellone added. "The SCPD is one of the greatest police departments in the nation and Commissioner Harrison’s legacy here will be one of professionalism, integrity and progress. I extend my genuine gratitude to the commissioner for his historic service to our county and wish him the very best in his future endeavors."

In October, Harrison attended a press conference with attorney John Ray, regarding possible new evidence in the Gilgo case.

At the press conference, Harrison, when asked if he believed the evidence was credible and if Heuermann was a prime suspect in another murder, Harrison said: "It's still an ongoing investigation. We are leaving no stone unturned."

But, he added, the creation of the Suffolk County Gilgo Beach task force helped them to link Heuermann to the first three victims, and possibly, a fourth. Following leads and all information is critical, he said, that's why he and other task force members sat down with attorney John Ray, who had gleaned information who may have felt uncomfortable talking to law enforcement.

"That's why I'm going to continue my partnership with John," he said at the time.

Tierney blasted the press conference in a statement: "Without providing any advance notice to the prosecutors pursuing this case in court or the Gilgo Beach Homicide Task Force members investigating these murders day in and day out, we watched today’s press conference not knowing what was going to be reported. We will continue to investigate this case through the grand jury process and not through press conferences. No private attorneys are or have ever been members or agents of the task force."

Suffolk County Police did not comment on Harrison's resignation.

"We have been graced with a man worthy to have been a champion of the people," Ray told Patch. "He has achieved excellence, because he did not believe in resting contented with the status quo. He is the pride of his race, heritage, and of all good police officers, a true hero. I shall miss his leadership."