Senator Nozzolio Calls For Death Penalty For Cop Killers

Albany— With the shooting of four law enforcement officials in New York in the last two weeks, New York State Senator Michael Nozzolio today called for the adoption of legislation that is he is co-sponsoring that would enact the death penalty for people who kill police officers.

In the last two weeks, Utica police officer Thomas Lindsey was shot and killed during a traffic stop and three State troopers were also shot.

“Our State government needs to do everything possible to reinstate the death penalty to protect law enforcement officers and bring the ultimate punishment on violent criminals who target them,” Senator Nozzolio said. “The Senate has passed death penalty legislation repeatedly, we now need the support of the Assembly and Governor Spitzer in adopting legislation to protect police officers and make our communities safer.”

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.

Senator Nozzolio stated that the Senate is prepared to pass the bill again, in an effort to protect police and the public from violent criminals.

“Our law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every day for all of us. We can no longer sit back and watch their lives be jeopardized and be cut short at the hands of criminals. There is no greater deterrent than the death penalty to protect our society and our police officers.”

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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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