Bruce Blakeman’s Pledge to Pardon NYPD Officer

Republican candidate for governor, Bruce Blakeman, has promised to pardon Eric Duran, the NYPD officer recently sentenced to prison. Duran, dubbed the “cool cop,” received a sentence of at least three years for the death of a drug suspect, which he caused by throwing a cooler.

Blakeman, who is the current Nassau County executive, stated that Duran should not be behind bars. His support for Duran aligns with his overall commitment to backing law enforcement and enhancing safety across New York communities, according to a statement from the Long Island Police Department.

The 70-year-old conservative has previously backed President Trump and gained White House approval to run against incumbent Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul.

Last week, Duran was convicted of second-degree manslaughter in a trial that was overseen by Bronx College Judge Guy Mitchell. The case involved the death of 30-year-old Eric Dupree during a covert “buy-and-bust operation.” Police reported that Dupree attempted to escape the scene on August 23, 2023, riding his scooter when Duran threw a cooler at him.

The cooler struck Dupree on the head, leading to fatal injuries.

Duran, 38, is a married father of three and a military veteran with a commendable 13-year career in law enforcement before his sentencing for this tragic event.

Many NYPD officers and union leaders showed their support for Duran throughout his trial, but their efforts ultimately did not make a difference. A petition signed by over 11,000 police officers nationwide requesting probation instead of prison for Duran was also unsuccessful.

Vincent Vallelong, president of the NYPD Sergeants’ Benevolent Association, remarked, “Sergeant Duran, a great police officer, was not the only one on trial. All law enforcement officers who make split-second decisions to protect the public were also part of this trial.” He described the ruling as “the darkest day in the history of our profession.”