David Berkowitz: The Capture of “Sam’s Son”

David Berkowitz, a notorious serial killer who terrorized New York City from 1976 to 1977, was captured 58 years ago. His arrest marked the end of a disturbing chapter in the city’s history.

On August 11, 1977, the New York Post boldly declared, “I caught it!” on its front page, heralding the downfall of the so-called “Son of Sam.”

Berkowitz was convicted in June 1978 for eight shootings, receiving six consecutive life sentences. Since becoming eligible for parole in 2002, he has been applying for release every two years.

Most recently, in May, he was denied parole for the twelfth time at the maximum-security Shawangunk Correctional Facility in Wallkill, where he has been incarcerated since he was 24.

A mail employee and former U.S. Army soldier from Brooklyn, Berkowitz instilled fear throughout New York for a year and a bit, particularly among young women and couples.

After committing his crimes, Berkowitz often left notes at the scenes or bragged about his actions in letters directed to police and media. His nickname, “Sam’s Son,” was derived from his neighbor’s dog named Sam.

“I’m a monster. I’m Sam’s son,” he wrote in a note found near the bodies of victims Alexander Esau and Valentina Sliani on April 17, 1977.

The NYPD assembled a task force of 200 officers, deploying undercover agents who worked through the night to apprehend the shooter.

The violent spree extended across Brooklyn, the Bronx, and Queens, culminating in the murder of 20-year-old Stacey Moskowitz on July 31, 1977.

Authorities managed to connect traffic tickets issued near the site of the final shooting to Berkowitz’s vehicle, which led to his arrest.

On August 10, 1977, he approached officers surrounding a building and identified himself, calmly asking, “What took so long?”

In 1972, Berkowitz professed to have found God while incarcerated. In a recent interview, he claimed, “Jesus allowed me to survive and flourish,” seeing him as a “father figure” to other prisoners.

He also compared his writings to those of Anne Frank, questioning whether he could make a positive difference through his words. “She has impacted millions of lives,” he noted, reflecting on Frank’s enduring influence through her diary.

Nearly half a century later, the “Son of Sam” case remains a topic of fascination. Berkowitz’s crimes have inspired a Netflix documentary titled, “Conversation with the Murderer: Son of Sam,” featuring the families of victims and previously undiscovered recordings by former reporters.