The National Police Defense Foundation (NPDF), a congressionally recognized and IRS designated non-profit organization, would like to bring to your attention the plight of NYPD Sergeant Erik Duran, who was found guilty of manslaughter in February 2026, in a case where the NPDF feels a miscarriage of Justice occurred.
In August 2023, Sgt. Erik Duran, a highly decorated member of the NYPD, was supervising a “buy and bust” operation in the Bronx. One of the suspects attempted to evade capture by mounting a nearby motorcycle and driving it on the sidewalk, directly at responding officers. Fearing that his officers would be seriously injured or killed by fleeing felon Eric Duprey, Sgt. Duran grabbed an Igloo cooler and hurled it at Duprey to divert him from crashing into his officers, their prisoner, or bystanders.
Sgt. Duran’s actions saved the lives of innocent civilians nearby, his officers and their prisoner. Unfortunately, suspect Duprey, a known member of the Trinitarios street gang who was not wearing a helmet, was killed. Attorney General Leticia James chose to prosecute the Sergeant for Manslaughter, and after a bench trial in February 2026, Sgt. Duran was found guilty of Second-degree Manslaughter.
On April 9th, 2026, Judge Guy Mitchell sentenced the former Sergeant to three to nine years in prison, and he was immediately taken into custody after sentencing in what the National Police Defense Foundation believes is a blatant miscarriage of justice. We believe that Sgt. Duran never intended for the suspect to be injured or killed. The sole predicate for his actions that day was to protect his officers, other suspects and bystanders from Duprey, who recklessly fled at a high rate of speed along a pedestrian walkway created a clear and present danger of death or serious bodily injuries to others, thereby justifying the Sergeant’s actions.
At the direction of Executive Director Joseph Occhipinti and the Executive Board, the National Police Defense Foundation has created the Sgt. Erik Duran Legal Defense Fund. We encourage all our members to donate whatever they can so that bail can be arranged for the former Sergeant pending appeal.
The National Police Defense Foundation is a Congressionally recognized and IRS approved 501 (c) 3 organization dedicated to protecting and defending law enforcement. All donations are tax deductible. Donations may be sent by going to www.npdf.org or by calling 1-888-SAFE COP.
The NPDF Executive Board,
Joseph Occhipinti
Michael J. Palladino
Michael Barry
Anthony Lacorazza
Robert Henderson
Support the Sgt. Erik Duran Legal Defense Fund
Update on former NYPD Sgt. Erik Duran case.
Ex-NYPD ‘cooler cop’ Erik Duran to be freed on $300K bail as he appeals manslaughter rap
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