Rodney Demery is an American author, TV host and former homicide detective, currently serving as the chief of the Grambling State University Police Department.[1] He is best known for his role as the TV host and narrator on the Murder Chose Me TV series which airs on Investigation Discovery since 2017.[2][3]
Rodney Lamar Demery | |
|---|---|
| Born | Shreveport, Louisiana, United States |
| Alma mater | Louisiana State University New Mexico State University Alamogordo |
| Spouse | Conya Demery |
| Police career | |
| Department | Beaver Falls Police Department Shreveport Police Department Caddo Parish District Attorney's Office Grambling State University Police Department |
| Service years | 1994-1999 1999-2016 2016-2018 2022-present |
| Other work | TV host, narrator, writer |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Service | United States Navy |
| Battles / wars | Gulf War |
Career
editRodney Demery is a veteran of the United States Navy. He served in both Operation Desert Storm and Operation Desert Shield.[4][5]
Upon leaving the Navy, he served as an officer with, and then the chief of, the Beaver Falls Police Department in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania.[1] In 1999, he resigned from the Beaver Falls Police Department to join the Shreveport Police Department.[6] In 2001, he was assigned to the Department's violent crimes unit as a homicide detective. During his career with the Shreveport Police, he worked on over 250 homicide cases.[7] In a 2016 interview with KTBS 3, Demery said his achievement in solving homicide cases resulted from personal encounters with violent homicides,[8] referring to his mother's murder and his brother Patrick's conviction for homicide.[9] He understood both the bereaved families and the suspects.[10][11]
Demery is S.W.A.T. certified and a hostage negotiator as well as having experience in undercover work.[12] As a homicide detective, Rodney Demery looked into his mother's homicide case.[13] He tracked down his stepfather and found him in bad health.[14][15]
Demery worked as a homicide investigator for the Caddo Parish District Attorney's Office until July 2018,[16] when he resigned to focus on television and film projects.[17] However, on May 27, 2022, Demery was hired by Grambling State University as its new chief of university police.[1]
Politics
editIn 2018, the Shreveport Times reported he considered running for Shreveport Mayor.[18] In July 2018, Demery denied interest in local politics.[19] He confirmed a desire to become the chief of Shreveport Police,[19] with multiple 2018 mayoral candidates approaching him for the position if elected.[20] In 2018, Rodney Demery endorsed Lee O. Savage for Mayor,[21] who lost the election to Adrian Perkins.[22]
Film
editRodney is the narrator of Investigation Discovery's 2017 crime drama Murder Chose Me,[23] in which he narrates the show in the first person.[24]
The crime TV show is based on detective Demery's work at the Shreveport Police homicide unit.[25] It highlights the homicide cases he worked on during the 14 years he was active.[26] The show was renewed for a second season on May 19, 2017.[27] Murder Chose Me was renewed for the third season on November 8, 2018[28] and is set to premiere in June 2019.[29]
Books
editRodney Demery has written two books on Amazon Kindle. His 2011 title, Things My Daughters Need to Know: A Cop and Father's View of Sex, Relationships and Happiness was an Amazon Bestseller when it was released.[30] Demery released his second book, No Place for Race: Why We Need to Address Economic and Social Factors That Are Crushing Us Every Day, in October 2013.[31] The book appeared on the 10 Best Black Books of 2013 list published annually by literary critic Kam Williams.[32] It has also been featured and reviewed on multiple news outlets throughout the United States.[33]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c "Grambling State hires new chief, assistant chief of university police". Grambling State University. May 27, 2022.
- ^ "Murder Chose Me". Investigation Discovery. Retrieved 30 May 2019.
- ^ "His mom was murdered. Now former Shreveport detective tells victims' stories on TV". The Times (Shreveport).
- ^ Chris Harris this and Greg Hanlon (February 10, 2017) For This Louisiana Homicide Detective, Murder Is Personal, People (magazine). Retrieved March 26, 2016
- ^ "Inmates gain vocational experience". The Union Democrat. Retrieved 30 May 2019.
- ^ "Detective sues city, SPD chief over firefighter case".
- ^ Eric Olsen (April 12, 2018) Talking Investigation Discovery’s MURDER CHOSE ME with Rod Demery, Legendary Homicide Detective and Series Star, America's Most Haunted
- ^ Devon Patton (December 16, 2016). Murder chose Rod Demery, KTBS 3
- ^ Curtis Heyen & Marie Waxel (December 8, 2016). Ex-ArkLaTex detective takes us inside his new crime TV series, KSLA News 12
- ^ Sarah Crawford (April 8, 2018). Former Shreveport Detective Tells Victims' Stories on TV, US News
- ^ "Inside a Homicide Detective's 14 Years on the Beat — and His 99 Percent Clearance Rate". People. Retrieved 30 May 2019.
- ^ Kurt Orzeck (April 5, 2017). Who is ex-homicide detective Rod Demery from Murder Chose Me?, Monsters & Critics
- ^ Erin Buchanan (June 24, 2014) SPD investigates three shootings, one homicide in less than a week, KTBS 3
- ^ Starcasm (October 4, 2017) Detective Rod Demery explains the ‘closure’ he got from forgiving his mother’s murderer
- ^ "'Murder Chose Me' Renewed For Season 2 By Investigation Discovery". Deadline Hollywood. 19 May 2017. Retrieved 30 May 2019.
- ^ Matt Parker (July 18, 2018). Rod Demery Quits Caddo DA’s Office News Radio 710 KEEL
- ^ "Rod Demery pursues his biggest unsolved-murder yet on Murder Chose Me: His mother's". Monsters and Critics. 19 April 2017. Retrieved 30 May 2019.
- ^ John E. Settle, Jr. (January 25, 2018). Ollie Tyler will seek 2nd term. Who else is in?, Shreveport Times
- ^ a b Curtis Heyen (July 17, 2018). Rod Demery, of 'Murder Chose Me,' quits Caddo DA's office, KSLA News 12
- ^ Matt Parker (July 18, 2018). Rod Demery Quits Caddo DA’s Office, News Radio 710 KEEL
- ^ KTBS 3 (July 20, 2018). Rod Demery endorses Lee O Savage for Shreveport mayor
- ^ Blane Skiles (December 8, 2018). Adrian Perkins wins Shreveport Mayor’s race, KSLA News 12
- ^ Broadway World (February 8, 2017). Rod Demery Stars in Investigation Discovery's MURDER CHOSE ME, Premiering 2/15
- ^ Sarah Crawford (April 8, 2018). Former Shreveport detective tells victims' stories on TV, The Washington Times
- ^ Zon D'Amour (April 19, 2017) Rod On The Right Side Of The Law, Los Angeles Sentinel
- ^ Investigation Discovery (March 7, 2018). Murder Chose Me Returns For A Second Season On Investigation Discovery, Featuring The Case Files Of Leading Homicide Detective Rod Demery
- ^ Cindy McLennan (May 22, 2017). Murder Chose Me: Season Two Renewal for Investigation Discovery Series, TV Series Finale
- ^ Sarah Crawford (November 28, 2018). Shreveport true crime show 'Murder Chose Me' returning for a third season, Shreveport Times
- ^ Starcasm (November 8, 2018). Murder Chose Me renewed for Season 3, and filming is underway
- ^ Adam Duvernay (January 4, 2014). Shreveport detective’s book questions place of race in violence debate, The Daily Advertiser
- ^ Broadway World (October 30, 2013). Rodney Demery Releases New Book NO PLACE FOR RACE
- ^ Kam Williams (December 17, 2013). The 10 Best Black Books of 2013
- ^ Veteran policeman discusses race, politics in new book, The News-Star