My School Honors Two Slain NYPD Officers — Their Killer Has Been Released from Prison
In the year 2000, I was a sixth-grader attending an intermediate school in the Bronx named after two police
officers who lost their lives in the line of duty: Waverly Jones and Joseph Piagentini.
Never did I think that, less than twenty years later, the individual responsible for their murders, Herman Bell, would be set free from prison. The New York State Board of Parole, responsible for Bell’s release, also made the indefensible choice to free Lee Ernest Walker, who callously took the life of NYPD officer Juan Andino by shooting him in the head and face over a pair of sunglasses.
Releasing individuals like Walker from incarceration serves no community interest whatsoever. It merely re-traumatizes the families of the victims, forcing them to revisit the profound pain of losing a loved one.
The only fitting punishment for the murder of a police officer is a life sentence in prison for the perpetrator.
Certain offenses, such as the murder of a police officer, should never qualify for parole and should not be left to the whims of a politically-driven parole board.
The Board of Parole appears completely disconnected from the sentiments of the People of New York, lacking moral clarity, as evidenced by its release of 43 cop killers since 2017 — a disturbing trend that shows no signs of abating unless the governor intervenes, her silence being nothing short of deafening.
In its decision-making, the Board of Parole largely overlooks the nature of the crime and the needs of the victims’ families.
No crime seems too egregious to the parole board, which appears devoid of shame or remorse for releasing cold-blooded cop killers.
The tendency to indulge cop killers significantly demoralizes the NYPD, especially as the department faces ongoing challenges with recruitment and retention. It sends a chilling message that the State of New York fundamentally undervalues the lives of individuals who put themselves at risk for the safety of others. Why should any officer endanger their life for a state that would eventually release their killer?
Currently, eleven of the sixteen members of the parole board have terms that have expired. Even though Governor Hochul has the authority to remove board members who are ideologically predisposed to release cop killers, she seems paralyzed and has opted not to act.
The members of the parole board should no longer have the privilege of casting votes in secret, eluding accountability for their disgraceful choices. The People of New York deserve a Board of Parole that is as transparent and accountable as the elected officials who appoint and confirm them.
The governor needs to reform the Board of Parole to ensure it reflects the common sense of the majority of New Yorkers. Members who prioritize the experiences and rights of crime victims should be promptly appointed.
The voting history of each board member must be made public. Additionally, the release of cold-blooded cop killers should be strictly prohibited. Only then will the Board of Parole put an end to dishonoring New York by disrespected the memory of its fallen heroes.
Ritchie Torres is a Democratic congressman representing The Bronx.
