The ODMP Blog: September 2015

Friday, September 18, 2015

Keep Cop Killers Behind Bars

On Mother's Day, May 12, 1991, retired NYC Police Detective Jerry DeMarco was murdered during an attempted robbery at a florist shop in Staten Island, NY. Detective DeMarco died protecting the people in that shop, including his wife, Laura. He left behind two young children, ages 3 and 5 at the time of their father's murder.

In October, one of the men convicted for Detective DeMarco's murder is eligible for parole.

Please take a moment and send a letter asking that this cop killer is kept behind bars where he belongs. Below you'll find a sample letter that you can copy, print, and send, or feel free to write your own.

To Whom It May Concern,

I respectfully ask that you DENY PAROLE to Roberto Gonzalez DIN # 94A0827.

This inmate murdered retired NYC Police Detective Jerry DeMarco on Mother's Day, May 12, 1991. Detective DeMarco was shot and killed while protecting customers, including his wife, during an attempted robbery in a florist shop in Staten Island, NY. He left behind two young children, ages 3 and 5 at the time of their father's murder.

This inmate's violent behavior should preclude any consideration for parole.

As a concerned citizen and in the interest of public safety, I again respectfully ask that you DENY PAROLE to inmate # 94A0827. Justice demands that he be made to spend every remaining day of his full sentence in prison.

Sincerely,

Letters are due by 30 September 2015 and can be sent to the following address:

Harriman State Campus

1220 Washington Ave

Albany NY 12226

Attn: Office of Victim Services

Friday, September 11, 2015

Never Forget

On Tuesday, September 11, 2001 more law enforcement line of duty deaths occurred in this country than on any other day in United States History.

In total, 72 officers died that day, and in the 14 years since, dozens of others have died as a result of 9/11-related illnesses.

When others ran away, they ran in.

On the morning of September 11, 2001, seventy-two officers from a total of eight local, state, and federal agencies were killed when terrorist hijackers working for the al Qaeda terrorist network, headed by Osama bin Laden, crashed two of four hijacked planes into the World Trade Center towers in New York City.

After the impact of the first plane, law enforcement officers, along with fire and EMS personnel, rushed to the burning Twin Towers of the World Trade Center to aid the victims and lead them to safety, putting the welfare of others before their own.

Due to their quick actions, it is estimated that over 25,000 people were saved.

As the evacuation continued, the first tower unexpectedly collapsed due to the intense heat from the fire and the extensive structural damage. The second tower collapsed a short time later.

On that day, 71 law enforcement officers, 343 members of the New York City Fire Department and over 2,800 civilians were killed at the World Trade Center site.

A third hijacked plane crashed into a field in rural Pennsylvania when the passengers attempted to re-take control of the plane. One law enforcement officer -- a passenger on the plane -- was killed in that crash.

The fourth hijacked plane was crashed into the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, killing almost 200 military and civilian personnel. No law enforcement officers were killed at the Pentagon.

On September 9, 2005, all of the public safety officers killed on September 11, 2001, were posthumously awarded the 9/11 Heroes Medal of Valor by President George W. Bush.

In the years since the attacks, many more rescue workers have succumbed to 9/11-related diseases.

Please take a moment today to read the ODMP Memorial Page dedicated to the officers who made the ultimate sacrifice on September 11th.

We Will Never Forget.

Thursday, September 3, 2015

Officer Down Memorial Page: End of Watch Report August 2015

August 2015 was one of two months this year with 14 total line of duty deaths (LODDs), the second highest monthly toll in 2015. Six of those deaths occurred in the last week of the month.

Of the August LODDs, six were the result of felonious gunfire, two resulted from fatal heart attacks, and the remaining deaths were vehicular -- either motorcycle-, aircraft-, or automobile related. These vehicular deaths bring the total in 2015 to 35 Line of Duty Deaths in that category -- the leading cause of death this year, and up 10% over this time in 2014.

Each of the officers who lost their lives in August 2015 is to be remembered for their sacrifice and honored for their service. The Officer Down Memorial Page extends our deepest condolences to the families, friends, and agencies who lost loved ones in August 2015.

Please take a moment to read their memorials: