Today I read about Mafia hitman and Cop Steve Caracappa dying. You would have to hope there’s a Hell.
My late father trained Caracappa as a Detective. Caracappa hadn’t become operational as a mobster yet, but the mendacious Detective kept his friends close and potential enemies, in this case honest cops, closer. Caracappa’s next partner was likely already a mobster when they hooked up, but together they were the Infamous NYPD Detective Mafia Cops of Brooklyn.
These guys were crooks amongs heroes as they impersonated dedicated hoest cops. They were respected. They had decorations from the city. The charismatic Eppolito was the more powerful. There was nothing he couldn’t find out, no investigation he couldn’t misdirect, no one who he couldn’t reach and touch with impunity. And they damn near got away with it The most frightening thing about the Mafia Cops is that or a cuty to function a small group of individuals must be trusted as beyond reapproach to investigate crimes. Among this select group stand a few who betrayed the city’s trust. And standing apart amongst the very worst, including corrupt even as far back as the goons from the early Dutch Government’s corrupt officials and maybe even the least honorable Lenape would be the Mafia Cops. At some point watching the watchers becomes impossible, these Vampires of Public Trust Knew and Exploited this. They’re a chilling cautionary tale.
I would suppose Cracappa was just making sure to engender himself to my Dad (who NOT dirty and tehrefore potentially a liability) and surely other detectives, by maintaining a relationship with as many of them as possible I can’t remember any other cops that were so conspicuous in keeping up relationships. People liked my dad but the cops he was close with happened to also be guys he grew up with and they were conspicuously non Dirty.
He always knew whether I had had a recent birthday or religuous sacrament as well as what grade I was in. He had no kind of memorable voice but of course had a New York accent. Thinking back it DID sound like he was reading off an index card.
The Cold Eyed Face of Death with a Gold Shield and an Iron hand
My Dad had a hard time accepting a bad cop could ever slip through the screening process but this guy sure did. My mom and I have marveled at how my Dad didn’t really shirk danger and was kind of known to be a but tough yet never realized that he was the kind of Boy Scout Caracappa or Lt Louie Eppolito (who I think I met once), the guy who flips Caracappa to a full on mobster, would have simply wasted without a second thought and then misdirected the Investigation.
And what was that caught these terrible killers? Just what bought down the two mosyt highly placed Hitters we’ve ever known about? These Super Villain? It was a mundane shopping mall expansion and arrogance in equal parts. The Mafia Cops for some insane ill advised reason were happiest using their actual service weapons (fucked up!). I guess the fact they were both enjoying retirement with no clue what was about to happen when they were unexpectedly arrested is just part of the Irony. After a life of living on the edge and pocketing an extra 50 grand every year (this seems very little for your soul) they mustve thought they were set. It also prevented the say shooting it out (unlikely) or just going out on their own terms using theuir favorite guns on themselves.
A Suffolk County Long Island Mall expanded in the early 90’s uncovering a Mafia Graveyard/ Dumping Ground. Like a dozen murder cases were reopened and a lot opf them promptly had real answers -These people were killed by the Mob. Some were Mobsters themselves.
Ultimately it turned out some of them were killed by the Mafia Cops. There’s more to it but things moved pretty quickly from there. Mostly it’s because these vicious killers used their own service weapons to kill their victims. They were that fucking arrogant and how the Hell they disregarded the ballistics they themselves in their guise of cops and occasionally solving (pinning?) other crimes. If you ask me it shows a real lack of vision. ‘Throw Away Burner Gun’ would seem to be at the top of a dirty cops equipment checklist. God knows they came across enough in their day jobs as cops in the 70’s, 80’s and into the opening of the 90s.
It’s also possible that aside from all they pulled off they were fucking idiots. After all, one of the people they killed merely had the same name as the person they were after. They have to go back and kill someone again. So who fucking knows about these scumbags ?
Young Dirty Detective Epoolito from a Daily News story where for all appearances he was just another cop at the scene.
How fucked up was this guy? He ran with Sammy The Bull Gravano and was chronicled somewhat in Jimmy Breslin’s book “The Good Rat- A True Story”
At the end of his life despite pleas to the contrary Dad felt compelled to write to Caracappa. I would think it stung the dirty cop bitterly that somewhere in a comfortable house the Sucker Boy Scout he would have iced was praying he would ask God forgive him for the horrors he had done. While no one was happy about him writing a 7 times convicted murderer my fathers need to tell this guy to turn to God seemed important to just allow it.
Personally I really don’t think a path towards God would have held much appeal to a guy who killed people for the money. I would almost say I hope he didn’t cause thinking he was saved and going to God’s Kingdom like Arthur Seyss-Inguart seems too generous a delusion to give the guy. I guess the prison chaplain made that call. Whatever.
I do know that for quite some time there was no way to stop them from collecting
Louis Eppolito, seen here convicted and here older, was portrayed as the Alpha Mafia Cop
their NYPD pensions despite conviction. I suppose their families who got that money were victims too so maybe it doesn’t matter how that ended up.
Caracappa never saw the light. He never admitted his guilt and ended his time in a cod dark Federal Prison. Its debatable if he lived like that long enough to call it justice.
Who knows? I would suppose he’s best off if the Atheists are right.
Do they deserve any Sympathy? You can make up your own mind.
“…..and all the sinners saints”
What Better Tribute to the Mafia Cops then a performance of Sympathy for the Devils, warts and all, from Altamont. where nothing ended up being as it seemed as well?
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