NEW YORK — Former New York City police Sgt. Erik Duran was sentenced to three to nine years in prison for throwing a cooler at a fleeing drug suspect in 2023, killing him.

At least 11,000 officers signed a petition pushing for Duran to not go to jail, but community members and activists said they were hoping Duran would get 15 years

Duran, 38, was taken into custody, after his attorney immediately announced he was appealing and asked for a one week stay of the sentence. He was denied.

Eric Duprey, 30, was killed in 2023 after Duran threw a picnic cooler at him as Duprey fled on a scooter in the Melrose section of the Bronx. Duprey crashed and died from his injuries.

The state attorney general’s office, which prosecuted the case, had asked for Duran to spend three to nine years behind bars.

Judge Guy Mitchell noted he had wide discretion in sentencing, from non-incarceration to up to 15 years in prison.

“I believe the sentence will deter other officers when they arrest suspects,” Mitchell said in explaining the prison term.

Mitchell said Duran “was upset the suspect was getting away” and thought “the only way to stop him was to throw the cooler.”

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He said Duran “took it upon himself” to pick up the cooler and throw it at Duprey.

“Suspects sometimes get away and can be captured later,” the judge said. “He could have been caught on a different day.”

He said the sentence impacts both families, the difference being Duprey will not be here.

Duran apologized to Duprey’s family and addressed them in Spanish.

“I regret everything that happened; I’m sorry for the loss of your child. I never wanted this to happen,” he said. “I’m asking for the chance to be for my family, for my kids”

His attorney admitted it was a reckless decision but said, “Erik Duran should not be incarcerated for a decision he made in 2.5 seconds” … “a decision that resulted in unintended consequences.”

Duran was the first NYPD officer in a decade to be found guilty of killing a civilian while on duty. He was fired immediately after February’s guilty verdict. He was found guilty of manslaughter.

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