For over 40 years, the New York Police Department has treasured a bullet-scarred patrol car that belonged to deceased officer Eddie Byrne. Byrne was a beloved member of the department who was tragically killed by a drug dealer while he was inside his car.
Bryne, who was only 22 years old at the time, was on guard watching the home of a protected witness back in 1988. The witness was set to testify in a drug dealer’s criminal case. Unfortunately, Bryne was fatally shot through the passenger side of his vehicle.
Now, some of the police who were on duty that night have decided to come together and save up enough money to restore the vehicle. The goal, according to the department, is to re-install the car at the Police Academy in Queens. Displaying the vehicle helps teach newer officers and reminds older officers about the dangers of the job.
Right now, the estimated cost of the restoration effort is around $30,000. The officers want to keep the bullet hole in the passenger side door as a symbol of Bryne’s sacrifice, but they need to repair some damage that occurred while the car sat in an evidence warehouse for about ten years.
During that time, the car was damaged by both the floodwater from Hurricane Sandy in 2012 and a fire in 2022. The damage and time have resulted in the patrol car’s paint fading to a light blue. It’s also caused the roof to become rusty, which resulted in it caving in. The tires are worn away by being dragged, and the car no longer runs. During the fire, the car’s taillights melted.
The officers hope that restoring the old patrol car will serve as a tribute to the NYPD’s commitment to upholding the memory of fallen offers and respecting the sacrifices made by the department.
Ultimately, the four killers who coordinated and pulled off the murder were caught and imprisoned. Those suspects are Philip Copeland, Todd Scott, Scott Cobb, and David McClary. Todd Scott later admitted to police that his job was to distract the officer while he sat in his car as the other three suspects pulled off the murder. Each of the suspects were reportedly given $2,000 for the contracted murder. Each suspect was ultimately handed down a sentence of 25 years to life.
Scott Cobb was released in 2023 after serving 34 years behind bars. Todd Scott was denied parole in 2024, but all of the three others are currently eligible for parole.
New York Parole Rules
Parole allows inmates who’ve demonstrated good behavior in prison to get released early, with a few conditions. When you get released on parole, you typically have to report to a parole officer regularly and follow specific rules until your sentence is complete.
Are you wondering whether you might be eligible for parole after serving several years? Do you have questions about parole conditions or potential parole violations?
Schedule your free and confidential consultation call with our New York criminal defense attorneys now for answers.
