- Todd Scott, who was convicted of murdering a New York City police officer in 1988, was denied parole.
- During the crack cocaine epidemic in New York City, Officer Edward Byrne was shot and killed while guarding a witness in a drug case.
- Scott distracted Officer Byrne, but another man shot Officer Byrne five times.
A man convicted of murdering a notorious rookie police officer during New York City’s crack cocaine epidemic decades ago has been denied parole, state corrections officials confirmed Sunday.
Todd Scott was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for the shooting death of Officer Edward Byrne in Queens. Burns was killed in 1988 while sitting in his patrol car while guarding the home of a witness in a drug case.
Police said Scott was part of a group of four who paid $8,000 to kill a 22-year-old police officer who had only been on the job for a few weeks in retaliation for the arrest of drug dealer Howard “Pappy” Mason. It is said that he was one of them.
1988 getaway driver released after police assassination
According to the New York City Police Department, in the early morning hours of February 26, 1988, Scott approached the passenger side window of Byrne’s car and, while the officer was distracted, another man shot Byrne five times. It is said that shots were fired. Police commemorate this moment every year with a solemn ceremony at the intersection. The place where Byrne died.
Todd Scott, who was convicted of killing NYPD Officer Edward Byrne (right) at the height of New York City’s crack cocaine epidemic decades ago, has been denied parole. Scott Cobb (left), who police said was the driver in the killing, was released on parole last year.
Scott was convicted of second-degree murder and is serving his sentence at a maximum-security state prison in Shawangunk.
The 55-year-old, who has been eligible for release since 2013, applied for state parole on Jan. 23 but was denied, a Department of Corrections spokesperson said Sunday. His next appearance before the Board of Directors will be in August 2025. It could not immediately be determined whether Mr. Scott has an attorney.
Police Benevolent Association president Patrick Hendry said in a statement that the organization was “relieved” Scott remained in custody. The union said it would also continue to oppose the release of two others convicted of murder.
New York Parole Board to release convicted cop killer 46 years after cold-blooded murder
The union said David McCrary and Philip Copeland are scheduled to appear before the parole board in April and November, respectively. Scott Cobb, who police said was the driver in the killing, was released on parole last year.
“New Yorkers need to keep sending a message to the Bail Commission: If you kill a New York City police officer, you will spend the rest of your days in a prison cell,” Hendry wrote.
Byrne’s brother, Kenneth Byrne, said in a statement that the “best way” to honor his brother’s sacrifice was to continue to show that “there is no redemption for those who kill police officers.”
“They tried to use Eddie as an example to send a message to the police and the public that they were in control of the city,” he said. “I was very relieved to know that that message was not reinforced this time.”
