The Devil Behind the Badge

"""Gripping . . . moving because Jervis takes care to put the women — Melissa Ramirez, Claudine Luera, “Chelly” Cantu and Janelle Ortiz — at his book’s center. “Devil” is really about the poverty, addiction and racism that put these four in the path of danger."" — Star Tribune “Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Rick Jervis delivers the tragic, headline-grabbing story with staccato precision and emotional depth … An unsettling account of a serial killer leading a double life: masquerading as an upright citizen, while at the same time mercilessly preying on society’s most vulnerable.”   — BookPage “An incredible discussion about the border crisis … amazing, gripping … Jervis does an incredible job deconstructing the Border Patrol agent's life, the events that led to his killing spree, and the women that he preyed upon.” — Texas Standard ""An affecting true-crime drama that captures unsettling realities of the southern border."" — Kirkus Reviews ""A deep dive into dark, chill waters. Rick Jervis is a gifted writer and reporter, and this shocking, important story is one worthy of his talents."" — Jonathan Eig, Pulitzer Prize winner and New York Times bestselling author of King: A Life and Ali: A Life. ""The Devil Behind the Badge is the most immersive, deeply reported work of true crime I've read in years. It's a terrifying portrait of a murderer, yes, but Jervis's true achievement is bringing these victims to life—no easy feat given that, as sex workers, they often defied documentation. There's no question that this book is comfortably on par with Lost Girls and Killers of the Flower Moon."" — Elon Green, author of Last Call: A True Story of Love, Lust, and Murder in Queer New York   ""A harrowing non-fiction thriller that reads better than some of the best crime novels. Jervis' impeccable reporting of a Border Patrol serial killer who went on a deadly rampage breaks new ground and renews disturbing questions about impunity in an agency tasked with overseeing the most vulnerable. The story is a can’t-put-it-down, mystery that unravels dramatically with each page.”  —  Alfredo Corchado, author of Midnight in Mexico and Homelands"