What a story! Rick Jervis takes us on an indepth journey into a shocking true story of a Border Agent gone rogue. You learn about Juan David Ortiz, from his upbringing all the way until the trial. What you don't get, and many are in search of, is really the answer to 'Why". Rick Jervis gives us so many shocking details that come directly from Ortiz himself. You learn so much about the victims, who they were in raw honesty, and even though they lived a life on the edge, I believe they were still honored as loved ones within the families that they came from. It also gives you a better view inside the Border Patrol agency and the rules and regulations that follow. Intriguing, and not sugar coated, but real and unvarnished.
*I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. This review is my own opinion*

This book is a gripping story about a serial killer who turns out to be a Texas Border Patrol officer. Jarvis delves into the lives of not only the killer, but also each of his victims. I appreciate how the author showed the human side of the victims. Too many times, they are marginalized because of their circumstances. The story is well written and compelling. As difficult as the subject matter is, this is a good read for those who like true crime.

**Shared on Amazon, Goodreads and 2 FB True Crime groups.

Compelling true-crime exploring the disturbing case of a law enforcement officer turned serial killer, presenting a nuanced exploration of the events and their broader societal implications. Not mind-blowing, but solid enough.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and thought it was well done. I never knew this had even happened so getting to read it and all the information was crazy.

The Devil Behind the Badge was a well researched, thorough, expose about the four horrible murders which occurred in a little over a week in 2018, and committed by a very unlikely suspect. It was quick paced, and read like a novel, while not sacrificing accuracy and research. Sadly, I hadn't heard about these cases before reading this book. What a tragedy.

I appreciated the way the author presented each person involved in the case. The victims aren’t just victims, they’re people. They each have family and friends, and complicated backgrounds that led them to the work they were involved in. Sex workers are very vulnerable and this case shows that. The reality of life with addictions and living on the streets came through.

I was not previously familiar with this case, but this gave a good overview as well as background I was not aware of regarding the area.

*The Devil Behind the Badge* by Rick Jervis is a gripping and haunting account of the horrific murders of four sex workers by Juan David Ortiz, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer. Jervis takes readers through the chilling timeline of these murders, revealing the shocking betrayal of a man sworn to protect the community. This fast-paced true crime story not only chronicles the investigation that led to Ortiz’s arrest but also explores broader issues such as law enforcement corruption, the abuse of power, and the complex dynamics of the border crisis.

Jervis masterfully balances the investigation's suspense with a deep, empathetic portrayal of the victims, shedding light on their lives and the tragic loss they left behind. The book is a powerful reminder of how darkness can hide in plain sight, even within trusted institutions. It’s a must-read for fans of true crime and anyone interested in the complexities of law enforcement and justice. The chilling tale will leave readers thinking long after they finish the book.

Melissa Ramirez, Claudine Luera, Guiselda Alicia "Chelly" Cantu, and Janelle Ortiz were the women killed by a U.S. Border Patrol officer. Erika Peña was able to escape him otherwise she very realistically could have been murdered as well. I loved that Jervis focused on each woman separately and showed each as an individual not just a victim. They were all loved and cherished by their family and friends. A little bit of time is spent on their murderer but the vast majority of the book is spent on the women who lost their lives and Erika.

I do wish there had been a little more time spent on the trial, but that's my only complaint. If you enjoy True Crime nonfiction that reads like a novel, pick up The Devil Behind the Badge.

This is an intense true story that I felt started very good but sort of dragged on a bit. It's not an easy topic to review and can be viewed as disturbing to some since it covers dark horror and tragedy. I felt for the women and their lives that just couldn't be righted and the 'wrong place wrong time' vibe was just sad.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to reivew.

This case will have you gripping the arms of your chair!

What a read. This was a roller coaster of a ride, and readers will be shocked by the turns this crime will take. From the battlefield to the desert, Juan David Ortiz was well-thought of. He had a good reputation and was climbing the ranks within Border Patrol.
There were some quirks that co-workers noticed, but nothing that ever stuck out as truly odd. What no one knew, Ortiz was suffering from PTSD, and without the proper help, was starting to delve into a darker hole.

Oh my, what a read. This was truly heartbreaking in many ways. The author has done a great job in putting the entire story together, and bringing humanity into the words as well. For those that enjoy true crime, this is a good read. In some ways it is difficult, as there are multiple ways some can identify with Ortiz - soldiers, veterans, medical personnel. However, the lack of care, and the mental health care that was needed stuck out here.

Prepare for a read that will stay with you for a very long time.

This is a story that deserves to be told. There are true crime books that read like fiction; this is not one of them. It's a great read for those of us who like "just the facts, ma'am", but there are times where I wish we had more connection to the players. We get a lot of information about the victims, but very little about the defendant. I guess that's to be expected when he won't speak with the author, but it left us all wondering why. Prosecutors don't have to prove motive in a criminal trial, but in a lengthy book, the reader really wants to know why. Thank you to the publisher for allowing me to read this book early in exchange for an honest review.

**⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | A Chilling True Crime Account**

*The Devil Behind the Badge* offers a gripping and unsettling look into the terrifying case of the Border Patrol serial killer. The book meticulously details the horrifying events that unfolded over twelve days, capturing the fear and tension experienced by the community and law enforcement. The author provides a well-researched and engaging narrative that delves into the mind of the killer and the challenges faced by those working to stop him. While the graphic content may be difficult for some readers, the book’s compelling storytelling and thorough investigation make it a must-read for true crime enthusiasts.

Truly a heartbreaking story. The author gives so much care when writing about the victims and their family. He tells the story of each victim and their true lives, not just what the bad side could show. Great read on the truth of crime and murder.

The little-told true story of a Border Patrol Agent who went on a horrific 12 day murder spree, killing 4 women before he was caught.

Well written - while it was nonfiction, it was a narrative nonfiction that made it compelling to read. I enjoyed/needed all of the background, but some of that was kind of weighty.

Often, when women of color are m*rdered, their stories are left untold. This felt like an important book to help people know their names.

I have been on a true crime kick lately and heard good things about this book.

I really appreciate how the author shared the lives of the murdered women and made them the focal point of the book. Yes, we found out his upbringing and how he got in a dark place. But the women's live were also important. I think in a lot of true crime the victims end up in the shadow and that's how killers are glorified.

It broke my heart to read the parts with the murders because each woman was trying to get out their current state in life. They wanted to get clean and help themselves and their families. They just needed more support and maybe one more chance would've done it.

Jervis also shares the history of the area and the current political state of the United States at the time. I think it helped explain how things like this can happen and continue to happen.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dey Street Books for the opportunity to read The Devil Behind the Badge. Thank you to Rick Jervis for letting the lives of these innocent women be shared. I have written this review voluntarily.

A great true crime thriller. The story is well-done and provides the human side of the victims as well as the killer. The story is fast paced and will hold your interest. A great read for the true crime enthusiast.

Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

The opening chapter made me want to give up on this book. It was so bewildering what was going on, the Spanglish, the names of people that I didn't know how they related to the story.....but I persisted.

And I am glad that I persisted. This is one of my favorite true crime novels of the year!

The author did a great job of telling the stories of the victims from a human point of view. Yes they were addicts. yes, they were sex workers, but they had hopes, dreams, families and friends who loved them and the author did a great job bringing that home to the reader .

The backgrounds of the victims and the killer was the first part of the book, then the manhunt for the killer. Then the trial. It was all very neatly organized and I appreciated the effort of not rehashing everything again just for the trail.

This is a good, well written true crime book that really makes the victims feel like your family.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for an advanced reader copy of the e-book.
This is my favorite type of true crime, narrative non-fiction, sticks to the facts and leaves no stone uncovered. Some reviewers bashed the author’s writing style, but I think it’s the appropriate style for this subject matter. It’s not going to be flowery prose, it’s journalistic.
I give this a well done 5⭐️.

I wanted to like this book. I just could not get into it for some reason.

I received an advance review copy for free (thank you NetGalley), and I am leaving this review voluntarily. All opinions are my own.

I run into a lot of books which try and get too cute with the narrative. Just tell the story. No storytelling tricks. No time jumps. Just tell an engaging story. Rick Jervis does this to perfection in The Devil Behind the Badge. Oh, he does something else which all great true crime does. He honors the victims and tells their story. In this case, it's not all roses.

The story is about how Border Patrol Agent Juan David Ortiz took the lives of four sex workers, Melissa Ramirez, Claudine Anne Luera, Guiselda Hernandez, and Janelle Ortiz (no relation). Jervis makes sure to tell everyone's story. For the sex workers, Jervis chronicles their drug addictions, attempts to get clean, and the families who tried to love them through it. For Ortiz, we get the background of a Veteran, fighting off demons, but with some sort of murderous urge he gives into. Jervis tries to answer as many questions as possible about this case, but he also acknowledges that much of it is unknowable.

Quite simply, this is just a journalist giving you all the facts. If you want well-written true crime which doesn't forget the victims, then this book is for you.

(This book was provided as an advance copy by Netgalley and Dey Street Books.)