Police Officer Gilroy Gave His Life

Raheem Should Stay in Prison

Ft. Hamilton Station, NY – Thirty-four years ago, three thugs held 12 customers hostage for 47 hours, Police Officer Stephen Gilroy was killed in the line of duty and Raheem believes he should be paroled after spending his time getting an college education at our expense. The following letter urges the New York State Division of Parole to keep Raheem where he belongs: in prison for the rest of his natural life.

December 13, 2007
 

George B. Alexander
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Division of Parole
97 Central Avenue
Albany, NY 12206
 

Dear Chairman Alexander:

I cannot imagine spending thirty-four years in prison. To spend more than half my life in prison, without the freedoms that I enjoy every day of my life, is almost unthinkable. However, I did not kill another human being, nor did I keep the police at bay for 47 long, horrific hours because I wanted to steal rifles and ammo to arm myself against a perceived threat from the Nation of Islam.

Stephen Gilroy has never experienced the joys that I have either, nor has he been fed, kept warm and safe while he earned his free college degrees. Stephen Gilroy's life was taken, in his prime, because Shuaib Raheem chose to steal rifles and ammo. Stephen Gilroy was doing his job trying to protect me, and my fellow New Yorkers, when Shuaib Raheem choose to kept twelve hostages in John and Al's Sporting Goods Store in Williamsburg for two long, terror filled days.

Now he wants his freedom and states that he will redeem himself. He acknowledges that he has "a debt to society, to that family and to the community where it took place." He could not even say Stephen Gilroy, rather he choose to say "that family." Yet he wants us to believe that he is ready to be paroled.

The thirty-four years that have passed, the college degree earned at tax-payers expense, (others far more deserving should have been able to earn) has not taught this man to respect Stephen Gilroy, the police officer killed because three men wanted rifles and ammo.

Shuaib Raheem has not earned the right to be paroled. For all that he may have changed on the surface, Shuaib Raheem, has not earned the freedom to walk with those of us who respect our fellow human beings.

I urge you to listen to Patricia Gilroy, Frank Carpentier and others on December 21. Listen to what they have had to live with and live without while Shuaib Raheem lived in prison, not worrying about how to earn his rent, grocery money, car insurance or the myriad of other concerns everyday citizens must cope with.

Shuaibe Raheem has had a pretty good life while Stephen Gilroy never lived his.

Stephen Gilroy deserves more.

His family and all New Yorkers need to know that when you make the choice to kill a police officer you will never have the freedom you have taken from them.

Stephen Gilroy went to work thirty-four years ago and his life was taken because three men walked into a store with the intention of stealing rifles and ammo. They did not go to steal food for their family.

Stephen Gilroy did his job. Now the NYS Division of Parole must do the job they are commissioned to do...keep violent criminals off the streets of New York.

Sincerely,
 

Michael R. Long
Chairman

cc: Superintendent Joseph T. Smith

Shawangunk Correctional Facility

 

- 30 -