A former New York City police officer, sentenced to a term of three to nine years for causing a suspect’s death by hurling a cooler, has been released on bail as he challenges his conviction. On Monday, Erik Duran, aged 38, walked free from Elmira Correctional Facility, as noted in a post by the NYPD Sergeants Benevolent Association on social media.
“I am deeply grateful to my family, especially my wife, children, and parents, for their unwavering love and support through this difficult time,” Duran expressed in a statement shared by the SBA.
Erik Duran, a sergeant with the NYPD, was seen in court for his arraignment at the Bronx Hall of Justice on January 23, 2024. He faced charges related to the August 2023 incident, resulting in the death of Eric Duprey during an undercover drug sting. (Luiz C. Ribeiro/New York Daily News via Getty Images)
“I also want to express my gratitude to God for providing me with strength and guidance in my darkest hours,” he continued. “My heartfelt thanks go to my legal team for their relentless pursuit of justice.”
Duran was initially handed a sentence for manslaughter but received a $300,000 bond last week, as reported by FOX 5. As part of his bail conditions, a judge has required him to hand over his passport to his attorneys while awaiting the outcome of his appeal.
Duran was serving a three- to nine-year sentence for manslaughter when he was granted a $300,000 bond last week, according to FOX 5. A judge ordered him to surrender his passport to his lawyers as he waits for his appeal to be finalized.
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Eric Duprey died in August 2023 when an NYPD officer threw a cooler at him as he was fleeing a drug operation in the Bronx. (WNYW)
“This is a major win for Erik and his family and for law enforcement officers around the country,” Vincent Vallelong, the president of Duran’s union within the SBA, reportedly said.
Duran, a married father of three, was convicted in February on charges stemming from the August 2023 death of Eric Duprey.
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General view of Elmira Correctional Facility on Monday, April 20, 2026 in Elmira, New York, where NYPD officer Erik Duran was released. (Richard Beetham for Fox News Digital)
Duprey was attempting to flee on a moped as officers carried out an undercover drug bust in the Bronx when Duran hurled an Igloo cooler at him, causing him to crash and hit his head on the pavement.
Duprey later died from his injuries.
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Duran has insisted he threw the cooler to protect his fellow officers, but Bronx Judge Guy Mitchell rejected his defense at sentencing, adding the punishment would serve as a “deterrent” to other officers from acting recklessly.
“They had enough to investigate and catch him on a different day,” Mitchell said, referring to the police. “The distinction is that the deceased will no longer be seen again by his family.”
Duran’s attorney did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
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