New York City, NY – A man implicated in the execution-style killing of a rookie New York City police officer in 1988 during the city’s crack cocaine epidemic has been denied parole by state corrections officials, per reports on Sunday.
The convicted man, Todd Scott, was serving a 25 years to life sentence for his involvement in the shooting death of Officer Edward Byrne, a 22-year-old officer who was killed while guarding the home of a witness in a drug case in Queens. Scott was allegedly part of a group of four men who were paid to carry out the killing as an act of retaliation for the arrest of a drug dealer.
According to police reports, Scott distracted Officer Byrne while another man shot him multiple times in his patrol car. The incident has been commemorated yearly with a solemn ceremony at the location where Byrne lost his life.
Scott, who was eligible for parole since 2013, appeared before the state parole board in January but was denied release. His next opportunity for parole is in August 2025, and it remains unclear if he has legal representation.
The Police Benevolent Association expressed relief at the decision to keep Scott imprisoned and stated their intention to continue opposing the potential release of the other individuals involved in the killing. Two of them are slated to appear before the parole board in the coming months.
Kenneth Byrne, the brother of the slain officer, emphasized the importance of denying parole as a way to honor his sibling’s sacrifice and maintain unequivocal opposition to those who take the lives of police officers.
The denial of parole for Scott serves as a reminder of the lasting impact of the tragic event and the unwavering stance against the perpetrators of such crimes.