Bringing Adam Home - Les Standiford [135]
Still, the refusal of John and Revé Walsh to submit to such evil and the actions of Joe Matthews in tracing it to its source also remind us that—even in such weary times as these—goodness can prevail.
Acknowledgments
Sincere thanks are due to Mitchell Kaplan, who saw from the beginning what this endeavor might become; to agent-without-peer Kimberly Witherspoon, who has yet to accept no for an answer; to Jeanne Wilmot, who got it right, right off; and to Dan Halpern and Bill Strachan, who brought this book lovingly into the light.
The authors would also like to offer thanks to Revé and John Walsh, not only for their assistance but for everything they have done on behalf of children and parents everywhere; to Susan Schindehette, who blazed this literary trail, for her advice and encouragement; to the gracious volunteer staff at the Hollywood (Florida) Historical Society; to indefatigable Florida International University reference librarian Adis Beesting; to indispensable adviser Robert Rotstein, Esq.; and to irreplaceable reader Rhoda Zelda Kurzweil.
Particular thanks are also due to any number of individuals within the community of law enforcement and justice, but especially to Joseph Kaplan, attorney for the Miami Beach Fraternal Order of Police, and former Broward County prosecutor Kelly Hancock.
Les adds his own special thanks to Kimberly, Jeremy, and Hannah Standiford, who believed in and encouraged him and reminded him each day why this story simply must be told. We trust that “Z” would have been proud.
And, from Joe Matthews: How do I begin to thank my wife, Ginny, for her love, dedication, and loyalty? Her encouragement from the moment of Adam’s abduction drove me not to give up. Thanks to my children—Joey, Greg, Michael, and Christina—their spouses, and all of my grandchildren for reminding me what is really important. To my brother Peter Matthews for being my big brother, and to my kid sister Mariann Kresge and her son Emir for being very special to me. To my dear friends and colleagues Tom Hunker, Pat Franklin, and Bernie Winer for their advice and support, and to my lifelong friends Tom Panza and Dick Brickman for being there for me always. To my assistant, Mary Alvarez, for having the patience of a saint, and to John and Revé Walsh for their unquestioning trust, which allowed me to give them the justice they so much deserved. And to Hollywood Chief of Police Chad Wagner and Broward County Chief Assistant State Attorney Chuck Morton for their integrity and their desire to put justice first.
Cast of Characters
Lyle Bean Hollywood PD detective of little help in obtaining FDLE photos
Jimmy Campbell Walsh family friend, and Hoffman’s chief suspect in 1981
Joel Cockerman Boy who was escorted out of the Sears store with Adam
Barry Gemelli Union Correctional Institution administrator who heard Toole’s deathbed confession
Mary Hagan Identified Toole in Sears near video game display
Kelly Hancock Walsh family attorney and former Broward County prosecutor
Robert Harley Ottis Toole’s stepfather
Leroy Hessler Hollywood PD deputy chief of police in 1981
Ron Hickman Hollywood PD detective, Hoffman’s partner
Jack Hoffman Hollywood PD detective in charge of the Adam Walsh case
Larry Hoisington Hollywood PD detective to whom Toole confessed in 1983
Dick Hynds Supervisor of detectives for the Hollywood PD in 1981
Bobby Lee Jones Cellmate and former coworker who dented Toole’s Cadillac
Steve Kendrick Brevard County homicide detective who took Toole’s first confession
Henry Lee Lucas Toole’s lover, convicted serial killer
Sam Martin Hollywood PD chief in 1981; retired 1986
Ginny Matthews Joe Matthews’s exceedingly understanding and patient wife
Joe Matthews Twenty-nine years a cop and detective, Miami Beach PD
Mama Margaret Matthews Joe’s mother
Arlene Mayer Heidi Mayer’s mother, who also identified Toole at Kmart
Heidi Mayer Twelve-year-old girl Toole attempted to abduct