Sign up to save your podcasts
Or
Share The Life of Gary Krueger
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Or
The Life of Gary Krueger
Welcome back to another episode of Murder For Sale! This week, hosts Val and Spencer Burmester delve into the life and dark history of former Seattle police officer Gary Krueger. Spanning decades, this episode explores Krueger's descent from a decorated cop with PTSD into a life filled with violent crimes including multiple murders, bank robberies, and associations with organized crime. Val and Spencer recap Krueger's complex story, detailing his troubled past, encounters with law enforcement, and ultimate connection to numerous unsolved cases. Don't miss this chilling investigation into how a once-respected officer became a notorious criminal.
As realtors, we are put in these vulnerable positions everyday. Open houses, touring vacant homes, and showing homes to strangers. All are inherently dangerous, but part of the job. So vigilance is key
To learn more about ways to protect yourself on the job, and hear more about these stories, you can visit our instagram at @murderforsale. Thanks for listening.
Episode 3 Timeline: (WARNING: Spoiler Alert)
January 28, 1948
- Gary Krueger is born in Seattle.
1966-1969
- Gary Krueger joins the Marines and serves in Vietnam as part of the Combined Action Group. He witnesses significant combat, including the Tet Offensive. He was honorably discharged in January 1969. Friends and family notice changes in his behavior post-war.
1970
Police Incident: While working as a Seattle police officer, Krueger is involved in an incident where he uses a chokehold on a Vietnam veteran who later dies from his injuries. Krueger is not reprimanded.
1974
Police Brutality: Krueger beats a man while another officer observes. The officers are reprimanded but not charged; the beaten man receives $3,000 in civil court from the city.
1979
Violent Incident: A man high on PCP tries to shoot Krueger with his own weapon. Krueger nearly beats the man to death and is only stopped when other officers intervene. This incident leads to Krueger being deemed a liability and forced into retirement.
1980
Career Change: Krueger obtains his real estate license, but the career does not succeed. He experiences financial struggles and bankruptcy.
1981
Gas Station Murder: Former police officer Terry Dolan is shot dead outside his gas station. Krueger, a high person of interest, is suspected due to his past grievances with Dolan. However, evidence is insufficient for a conviction.
1984
Foreclosure and Murder: Jim Barry, a real estate attorney dealing with Krueger’s foreclosure, is found murdered in his office. Krueger’s anger over his financial situation and the foreclosure is suspected to be a motive. The method of the murder suggests a personal vendetta or contract killing.
October 24, 1985
Mob Hit: Mario Vaccarino, a union leader, is found dead in his bathtub, sprinkled with parmesan cheese—a sign of a mob hit. Betty Krueger later claims that Gary was paid to kill Vaccarino, which would suggest this as another possible murder tied to him.
October 1986
Bank Robberies: Krueger is arrested following a high-speed chase in a stolen Chrysler. Authorities find evidence linking him to at least 10 bank robberies across Western Washington between 1984-1986. He pleads guilty to two robberies and is sentenced to 15 years but released after 6 years for good behavior.
January 1999
Theft Charge: Krueger receives a misdemeanour charge for third-degree theft but avoids jail time.
March 2001
Bank Robbery: Krueger robs a bank in Issaquah, WA. He returns to rob the same bank again two months later. He is arrested and convicted, receiving a 70-month sentence due to his PTSD diagnosis.
2004
Early Release: Krueger is released early from prison with the condition of submitting his DNA to federal authorities.
2007
DNA Collection: Federal parole officers collect Krueger’s DNA, which is then sent to the FBI.
2011
DNA Match: The DNA collected from Krueger matches the DNA found in the 2001 murder of realtor Mike Emert.
View all episodes
By SickBird ProductionsWelcome back to another episode of Murder For Sale! This week, hosts Val and Spencer Burmester delve into the life and dark history of former Seattle police officer Gary Krueger. Spanning decades, this episode explores Krueger's descent from a decorated cop with PTSD into a life filled with violent crimes including multiple murders, bank robberies, and associations with organized crime. Val and Spencer recap Krueger's complex story, detailing his troubled past, encounters with law enforcement, and ultimate connection to numerous unsolved cases. Don't miss this chilling investigation into how a once-respected officer became a notorious criminal.
As realtors, we are put in these vulnerable positions everyday. Open houses, touring vacant homes, and showing homes to strangers. All are inherently dangerous, but part of the job. So vigilance is key
To learn more about ways to protect yourself on the job, and hear more about these stories, you can visit our instagram at @murderforsale. Thanks for listening.
Episode 3 Timeline: (WARNING: Spoiler Alert)
January 28, 1948
- Gary Krueger is born in Seattle.
1966-1969
- Gary Krueger joins the Marines and serves in Vietnam as part of the Combined Action Group. He witnesses significant combat, including the Tet Offensive. He was honorably discharged in January 1969. Friends and family notice changes in his behavior post-war.
1970
Police Incident: While working as a Seattle police officer, Krueger is involved in an incident where he uses a chokehold on a Vietnam veteran who later dies from his injuries. Krueger is not reprimanded.
1974
Police Brutality: Krueger beats a man while another officer observes. The officers are reprimanded but not charged; the beaten man receives $3,000 in civil court from the city.
1979
Violent Incident: A man high on PCP tries to shoot Krueger with his own weapon. Krueger nearly beats the man to death and is only stopped when other officers intervene. This incident leads to Krueger being deemed a liability and forced into retirement.
1980
Career Change: Krueger obtains his real estate license, but the career does not succeed. He experiences financial struggles and bankruptcy.
1981
Gas Station Murder: Former police officer Terry Dolan is shot dead outside his gas station. Krueger, a high person of interest, is suspected due to his past grievances with Dolan. However, evidence is insufficient for a conviction.
1984
Foreclosure and Murder: Jim Barry, a real estate attorney dealing with Krueger’s foreclosure, is found murdered in his office. Krueger’s anger over his financial situation and the foreclosure is suspected to be a motive. The method of the murder suggests a personal vendetta or contract killing.
October 24, 1985
Mob Hit: Mario Vaccarino, a union leader, is found dead in his bathtub, sprinkled with parmesan cheese—a sign of a mob hit. Betty Krueger later claims that Gary was paid to kill Vaccarino, which would suggest this as another possible murder tied to him.
October 1986
Bank Robberies: Krueger is arrested following a high-speed chase in a stolen Chrysler. Authorities find evidence linking him to at least 10 bank robberies across Western Washington between 1984-1986. He pleads guilty to two robberies and is sentenced to 15 years but released after 6 years for good behavior.
January 1999
Theft Charge: Krueger receives a misdemeanour charge for third-degree theft but avoids jail time.
March 2001
Bank Robbery: Krueger robs a bank in Issaquah, WA. He returns to rob the same bank again two months later. He is arrested and convicted, receiving a 70-month sentence due to his PTSD diagnosis.
2004
Early Release: Krueger is released early from prison with the condition of submitting his DNA to federal authorities.
2007
DNA Collection: Federal parole officers collect Krueger’s DNA, which is then sent to the FBI.
2011
DNA Match: The DNA collected from Krueger matches the DNA found in the 2001 murder of realtor Mike Emert.