Former NYPD officer Chris DeFlorio says chilling supernatural threats forced him and his wife into retreat, exposing dangers in modern exorcism.
At a Glance
- Ex-NYPD officer and FDNY EMT forced into hiatus after supernatural threats
- DeFlorio claims demons warned him directly to stop ministry work
- Couple brings first responder discipline to spiritual warfare
- Ministry now focused on education and advocacy, not just exorcism
From Streets to Spirits
Chris DeFlorio’s path took him from New York’s emergency frontlines to the shadows of spiritual warfare. He served as a paramedic and later as an NYPD officer, while his wife Harmony worked as an FDNY EMT. Both bore scars from 9/11 and years of trauma response.
Their shift into ministry began in their late thirties after a conversion experience. A mission trip to Africa marked the turning point. Chris claimed he witnessed demonic possession firsthand, an encounter that shattered his worldview. From then, the couple moved into demonology and deliverance work.
Their backgrounds gave their ministry unusual credibility. They carried over a methodical approach shaped by law enforcement and medical training, setting them apart from thrill-seeking ghost hunters.
Watch now: Ex-NYPD cop turned demon hunter shares his story
Ex-NYPD cop turned demon hunter haunted by sinister warnings: ‘We told you to stay away’ https://t.co/dFF0UvTBLL pic.twitter.com/aVl4TCxO3W
— New York Post (@nypost) September 6, 2025
Sinister Warnings and a Forced Retreat
In 2024, the threats escalated. DeFlorio says demonic forces began issuing direct commands, telling him to stay away from deliverance work. The warnings were not vague sensations but spoken words he claims to have heard.
The pressure mounted until the couple withdrew from ministry for an entire year. The break marked a rare pause in a field where many press forward despite risk. For the DeFlorios, the retreat was both strategic and necessary.
They described the toll as psychological as much as spiritual. The strain reached into their family life, showing how spiritual conflicts cut deeper than the theatrical images often seen in pop culture.
Breaking Silence on Hidden Dangers
By speaking openly, the couple pulled back the veil on spiritual warfare. Chris warns that exorcism carries genuine risk, not just for the person afflicted but also for those who intervene.
Most deliverance workers avoid talking about personal harm. The DeFlorios challenge that silence. Their candor confronts skeptics who dismiss such cases and churches that romanticize them without counting the cost.
Harmony stresses that the emotional damage can last beyond the encounters. They say this reality needs greater recognition in ministry training and church support systems.
Returning with New Resolve
As 2025 unfolds, the DeFlorios are edging back into the fight. Chris describes feeling called to resume, but with tighter boundaries. He admits past mistakes in pushing too far, too fast.
Rather than diving into back-to-back exorcisms, they are emphasizing education. Their advocacy aims to equip believers while avoiding the burnout that once nearly ended their work.
The couple insists their approach is now more measured. Their mission continues, but with a commitment to sustainability. For them, the battle is not just about confronting evil but surviving long enough to keep doing it.
Their story offers both caution and encouragement. For those who believe, it underscores that the supernatural fight is real. For observers, it shows how first responders’ skills now serve a very different battlefield.
Watch now: NYC EMS watch highlights DeFlorio’s ministry return
Retired NYPD police officer and his former FDNY EMS EMT wife from Long Island are now demon hunters, and ready to fight evil again.https://t.co/To4tqr8nlu pic.twitter.com/KkTXas2ue5
— NYC EMS Watch (@NYCEMSwatch) September 6, 2025
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