Calhoun Grad Christopher Hesse Stars in A&E's Runaway Squad

Calhoun High School graduate Christopher Hesse is a retired New York City police officer who patrolled the streets of dangerous East New York for 20 years. Now, after a brief and estranged period of semi-retirement, he finds himself a core member of the Runaway Squad.

Led by fellow retired NYPD detective Joe Mazzilli, the Runaway Squad is a group of passionate and dedicated retired law enforcement officers who have made it their mission to reunite runaway children and teens with their families.

This compelling, dramatic and often dangerous work captured the interest of A&E Network producers, who created a full series around the Runaway Squad's efforts. 

"I became involved with the Runaway Squad shortly after my retirement in 2007," Hesse said. "It was at this time I met Joe Mazzilli. Joe has been involved with the plight of runaway children since his work with the NYPD in the 1970s as part of the original NYPD Pimp Squad."

The dynamic at work here is seems to be one of idle time. Hesse confides that upon retirement, he had a hard time "shutting it off."  

Hesse continued:  "When he (Mazzilli) retired in the early 1980s, he formed Protectall Security. Through this company, Joe continued his work with these endangered children. Joe (and the Runaway Squad) work pro bono for families who can't afford to pay a private investigator to do the intensive work that is involved in the safe return of these kids."

But safe return is only the beginning. The Runaway Squad is committed to helping these children and teens (and their families) put the pieces back together moving forward from the runaway trauma. It is a part of the overall process that often proves to be most difficult.

"Sometimes we learn the environment we're attempting to return the kids to is toxic," Hesse said. "Sometimes a variety of red tape issues complicate things, whether it is child protective services, the courts, local law enforcement. Too often these kids get spit back out into the system or onto the streets.  That's what we need to fix long term."

The Runaway Squad, with Mazzilli's leadership, is also determined to expand the reach of Patricia's Law nationwide. Part of New Jersey legislation, this forces local law enforcement entities to enact certain steps while working in concert with private investigation firms on runaway cases.

From gritty experience, Hesse said he has seen just as much failure as success. He knows he must dig in and stay with his cases long term in order improve that ratio.

"Some of the young people featured in the show continue to struggle with their issues," he added. "We hope and pray the best for them and their families. We stay involved with them and their parents even after they return home."

Heese grew up in North Merrick and now resides in Bellmore.  A husband and father to two young girls, Hesse does not need to look far for continued inspiration. While he and the Runaway Squad have an expanded reach, Hesse knows there are problems right here at home.

"Look, I live here," Hesse said. "My kids, my extended family, we feel the same threats that everyone on Long Island does. The proliferation of street gangs and Internet predators are a real part of our lives. Gangs survive on drug trafficking, murder, guns and prostitution. They have absolutely no regard for a community. Gangs destroy families and communities and lead our young people down dangerous paths."

Hesse hopes he and his teammates have an answer.

"The future of law enforcement lies in its past," he said. "Tried and true traditional police techniques coupled with modern technology; DNA, the Internet, surveillance cameras are some of the things that will help combat the new challenges ahead."

The one-hour premiere of Runaway Squad airs tonight at 10 p.m. on the A&E Network. That's channel 181 (or 681 for high definition) on Verizon FiOs and 46 (or 746 for high definition) on Cablevision.