Verdict in Erik Duran’s case is a dark day for – Latest News
As a 36-year NYPD veteran who now serves as president of the 13,000-member Sergeants Benevolent Association, I can say with out equivocation that the sentencing of Sgt. Erik Duran will eternally be remembered as one of the darkest days in the historical past of the law-enforcement occupation.
In what can solely be described as an egregious miscarriage of justice, Duran, a 16-year veteran with an exemplary report, was hauled out of Bronx Criminal Court after being sentenced by Judge Guy Mitchell to three to 9 years in jail.
Duran was convicted after a bench trial in February of manslaughter in the second degree for inflicting the death of Eric Duprey, a drug supplier with a prison report.
Former NYPD Sgt. Erik Duran was sentenced to 3-9 years in jail in Queens Court on Thursday, April 9, 2026. Matthew McDermott for NY Post
Caught promoting coke
While making an attempt to flee arrest in an August 2023 buy-and-bust operation, Duprey fled the scene after he was caught promoting cocaine to an undercover cop.
He fled on his motor scooter, recklessly driving down a sidewalk teeming with people at speeds up to 30 mph.
Sgt. Duran made a split-second resolution to thwart Duprey’s probably lethal path.
Duran grabbed a water cooler and threw it towards Duprey, who crashed the vehicle and died of a head damage.
Surveillance video obtained by The Post on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023, exhibits Duran hanging suspect Eric Duprey with a cooler as he tried to flee a drug bust operation in Kingsbridge Heights, The Bronx.
There was no malice in Sgt. Duran’s actions.
His solely intention was to make sure the security of the public and his fellow officers.
Duran’s sentencing sends a chilling message to law enforcement nationwide.
Copy photograph of Eric Duprey. Obtained by NY Post
Career destroyed
They will probably be stripped of their freedom with their lives and careers destroyed, for merely doing what they’re educated to do — defend the public.
At the sentencing, Judge Mitchell claimed his sentencing rationale was that Sgt. Duran may have and will have simply let him go and located him one other day.
When judges Monday-morning-quarterback police officers and instruct them to let suspects go, the public’s security is critically compromised.
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That’s not justice.
That’s negligence.
Moving ahead, the SBA will assist Sgt. Duran and his heartbroken household all through his appeal till this miscarriage of justice is rectified.
Sgt. Duran, who served the NYPD with dedication and helped save lives all through his profession, deserves nothing much less.
Vincent J. Vallelong is a 36-year NYPD veteran who at present serves because the president of the NYPD Sergeants Benevolent Association
