Senator Lanza Votes In Favor Of The Death Penalty For Cop Killers

With four police officers shot in New York in the last two weeks, including three in the last 24 hours,
Senator Lanza voted in favor of a bill that would reinstate New York’s death penalty law.

"The recent shootings of State Police officers in Delaware County highlight the need to enact policies that deter criminals from killing the officers who serve to protect us," Senator Andrew Lanza said. "Our law enforcement officials put their lives on the line every day for all of us, and some make the ultimate sacrifice. Terrorists and cop killers should pay the ultimate price for their heinous actions."

Senator Lanza continued, "It must be a priority to enact legislation that restores the death penalty here in New York State and makes it applicable to those who kill police officers. We can no longer sit back and watch the lives of New York’s Finest be jeopardized and be cut short at the hands of hoodlums. There is no greater deterrent than the death penalty to protect our society and our police officers."

Last year, the Senate passed a comprehensive bill that would put stronger penalties in place for criminals that target police officers. The bill includes stronger penalties for assault, murder and attempted murder of an officer, as well as increased penalties for possession of armor-piercing ammunition and the reinstatement of the death penalty for criminals who kill police officers. The Senate also passed legislation that would amend the state’s death penalty law to fix a provision that was ruled invalid by the state Court of Appeals. The Senate is prepared to pass these bills once again, in an effort to protect police and the public from violent criminals.

INCIDENTS OF POLICE OFFICERS KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY

· New York City Detective Dillon Stewart, killed attempting to pull over a car in East Flatbush, November 28, 2005.

· New York City Detective Daniel Enchautegui, killed when he interrupted a burglary in progress, December 10, 2005.

· Police Officer Joseph D. Corr, New Hartford Police Department, killed while trying to apprehend jewelry store thieves, February 27, 2006.

· State Trooper Andrew J. Sperr, killed during a traffic stop of two bank robbers in Big Flats, Chemung County, March 1, 2006.

· State Trooper Craig J. Todeschini, killed near Syracuse in pursuit of a motorcycle driver who was fleeing him, April 23, 2006.

· State Trooper Joseph A. Longobardo, killed while searching for fugitive Bucky Phillips in Chautauqua County, August 31, 2006.

· New York City Auxiliary Police Officers Eugene Marshalik and Nicholas Pekearo, killed trying to apprehend a criminal who murdered a pizza shop employee in Greenwich Village, March 14, 2007.

· Utica Police Officer Thomas Lindsey, killed during a traffic stop, April 12, 2007.

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