Dear Mr. Chairman,
I am writing on behalf of the members of the Fraternal Order of Police to urge you and the other members of the New York State Board of Parole to deny parole for Patrick Bannon, Inmate #94A0386. This inmate was involved in the brutal killing of Police Officer Paul Heidelberger of the New York City Housing Authority Police Department.
On Saturday, 18 July 1992, Officer Paul Heidelberger was shot and killed while attempting to break up a fight in front of a bar. His killer opened fire on the group, striking Officer Heidelberger and two other men. The convicted murderer then walked over and shot Officer Heidelberger and another man in the head, killing them. The shooter fled the scene but was arrested several days later.
This cop-killer was tried and convicted of one count of second-degree murder and one count of second-degree manslaughter and sentenced to 30 years to life in prison. A decision to release this cop-killer would, in our view, be an affront to the Heidelberger family as well as an unreasonable risk to public safety. This individual demonstrated that he was willing to use tremendous violence to kill an officer of the law, who was sworn to protect the citizens of the community. This killer, having clearly demonstrated his disregard for the safety and lives of others and his blatant disdain for authority and the rule of law, should serve every day of his sentence.
On behalf of the more than 373,000 members of the Fraternal Order of Police, I urge you to deny this cop-killer parole. If I can provide you with any further information, please do not hesitate to contact me or Executive Director Jim Pasco in our Washington, D.C. office.
Sincerely,
Patrick Yoes
National President