Open Letter to the New York State Parole Board from
Gerard Kassar, Chairman, Conservative Party of NY State
To the Members of the New York State Parole Board:
Enough is enough. For far too long, your decisions have ignored the gravity of what it means to kill a police officer. Since 2017, this board has paroled 43 individuals convicted of murdering New York police officers with little regard for public safety, victims’ families, or the courageous men and women who risk their lives daily to keep us safe.
You will soon be considering releasing David McClary who assassinated 22-year-old rookie NYPD police officer Edward Byrne in 1988. McClary shot Officer Byrne five times in the head while Byrne was sitting quietly in a patrol car. McClary should never be released.
Five months ago, you let Lee Walker out after he murdered NYPD Officer Juan Andino while committing a crime in 1984.
Prior to that, you released Herman Bell — killer of NYPD Police Officers Joseph Piagentini and Waverly Jones. The list goes on and on and on and on and on…
Your decisions aren’t only morally indefensible—they’re dangerous. You release so many cop killers that one has to ask: “Who protects the protectors?”
We understand that the law, asinine as it is, requires parole hearings every two years for murderers who have reached their minimum sentences. But if you can’t draw a “line in the sand” for cop murderers, you’re unfit for office. Stop deferring to leniency politics. Start valuing the rule of law. Entrust your authority to protect, not pity. And know this: the public is watching—and it’s losing faith.
On behalf of New Yorkers who demand fairness, public safety, and respect for those who safeguard our streets: STOP paroling cop killers.
July 9, 2025
Open Letter to the New York State Parole Board from
Gerard Kassar, Chairman, Conservative Party of NY State
To the Members of the New York State Parole Board:
Enough is enough. For far too long, your decisions have ignored the gravity of what it means to kill a police officer. Since 2017, this board has paroled 43 individuals convicted of murdering New York police officers with little regard for public safety, victims’ families, or the courageous men and women who risk their lives daily to keep us safe.
You will soon be considering releasing David McClary who assassinated 22-year-old rookie NYPD police officer Edward Byrne in 1988. McClary shot Officer Byrne five times in the head while Byrne was sitting quietly in a patrol car. McClary should never be released.
Five months ago, you let Lee Walker out after he murdered NYPD Officer Juan Andino while committing a crime in 1984.
Prior to that, you released Herman Bell — killer of NYPD Police Officers Joseph Piagentini and Waverly Jones. The list goes on and on and on and on and on…
Your decisions aren’t only morally indefensible—they’re dangerous. You release so many cop killers that one has to ask: “Who protects the protectors?”
We understand that the law, asinine as it is, requires parole hearings every two years for murderers who have reached their minimum sentences. But if you can’t draw a “line in the sand” for cop murderers, you’re unfit for office. Stop deferring to leniency politics. Start valuing the rule of law. Entrust your authority to protect, not pity. And know this: the public is watching—and it’s losing faith.
On behalf of New Yorkers who demand fairness, public safety, and respect for those who safeguard our streets: STOP paroling cop killers.
Sincerely,
Gerard Kassar
Chairman, Conservative Party of New York State