Families of Slain NYPD Officers Sue for Justice
The families of two NYPD officers who were killed in the line of duty are taking legal action against the state’s parole board. They want to keep the men who murdered their loved ones behind bars. According to reports, George Agost, who shot Officer Thomas Lutoro in the Bronx back in 1984, might be eligible for release soon. Then there’s Eddie Matos, who was involved in a deadly incident in Times Square in 1989, also facing potential parole next month.
The 16-member parole board, which some criticize for having a left-leaning agenda, has allowed the release of 43 individuals convicted of killing police officers since 2017. Critics argue that the board’s decisions seem to undervalue the severity of the crimes and the circumstances of the offenders.
Agost, now 65, was on parole for manslaughter when he committed the murder of Lutoro. He has since been working for four decades at the Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora, New York.
Mary Beth O’Neill, Lutoro’s widow, expressed her concerns, stating, “I think it’s crucial to recognize that this crime resulted in 40 years of a life sentence. Some offenses are far too serious, and I strongly believe in the importance of holding individuals accountable for violent actions. Repeated risks cannot be taken lightly.”
Lutoro was shot while responding to a call on Valentine’s Day; it happened quickly and without warning when Agost pulled a gun.
That day, Agost had already been convicted of murder and injured not only Lutoro but also his partner and another officer present at the scene.
Mary Beth highlighted the contradiction in Agost’s self-description as a “non-violent man.” She questioned how someone who has killed two people and attempted to kill two others can be seen that way. She reflected on her husband’s death, musing about the circumstances surrounding it and whether it should have happened at all.
Meanwhile, Matos, who is 57, has been serving a 25-year sentence at Greenhaven Prison for the murder of Officer Anthony Dwyer. Officers had been called to a McDonald’s for armed robberies when Matos pushed Dwyer onto the roof during a confrontation.
Marge Dwyer, Anthony’s mother, asserted, “They killed the officers; they should remain in prison for life or face the death penalty. While we don’t have that option anymore, if we did, I’d be willing to flip the switch myself.”
Both Agost and Matos are scheduled for parole hearings in September, but exact dates are not disclosed to the public.
PBA President Patrick Hendry accompanied families to the board’s office recently, sharing a victim impact statement. He noted, “Every time these families come here, they relive the worst moments of their lives. Each visit forces them to contend with the uncertainty of whether their loved one’s murderer will be released.”
