GOP gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman is promising to pardon a jailed NYPD officer if he’s elected.
Blakeman is vowing to help out Erik Duran, dubbed “cooler cop,” if his campaign is successful. He doesn’t believe that the officer belongs in jail and has come out in support of Duran and all law enforcement.
“County Executive Blakeman will be making a strong statement in support of Sgt. Duran, consistent with his commitment to back law enforcement and make every neighborhood in New York safer,” his campaign said in a statement to The New York Post.
Duran was sentenced to at least three years of imprisonment after being convicted of second-degree manslaughter last week. He received his nickname after hurling a cooler at 30-year-old Eric Duprey during a “buy and bust” drug operation, after the suspect reportedly attempted to flee on a scooter. The incident resulted in Duprey’s death.
Watch:
This will show police officers not to throw coolers
pic.twitter.com/PVuS78dqhT
— Blondelady2024 (@arva61138) April 10, 2026
NYPD Sergeants Benevolent Association president Vincent Vallelong decried the conviction, warning of the chilling effect it will have on law enforcement officers attempting to fulfil their duties.
“It wasn’t only Sgt. Duran, a great cop, who was on trial. Every law enforcement officer who makes a split-second decision in the performance of their duties to protect the public was also on that trial,” he said, adding that the decision is “the darkest day in the history of our profession.”
Blakeman received an endorsement from the White House last year as he attempts to unseat New York Governor Kathy Hochul.
X users reacted:
Back pay, exonerated, returned to the PD! Marxism 101, save our Republic keep our local PDs and Sheriffs independent.
— Constitution is the Solution (@upndruning) April 13, 2026
Too bad people not on social media have no idea who he is. While watching streaming content on TV I see liberal candidates campaigning left and right. Or should I say left and left!?!
— Jill miller (@Jillmil70263625) April 13, 2026
I considered voting for him due to crime issues, but No way would I vote for him if he’s even thinking of doing that since what that cop did was against police policy and it was murder of a young guy. He wasn’t chasing a killer. No one’s life was in danger. @NassauExec
— ‘ ღ‿❊ (@expressions77) April 13, 2026
Good, as he should because this sergeant should have never been charged.
— M (@sipchawithme) April 13, 2026
It should have never happened, what happened was a travesty to our judicial system! My opinion, the judge needs to be removed from his duties! I have no doubt that when @NassauExec gets in as governor he will do that. Shows the spineless individual in that position now, won’t!
— JimW514 (@Jim5143) April 13, 2026
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- GOP candidate vows to pardon convicted NYPD officer who threw a cooler - April 13, 2026
- GOP candidate vows to pardon convicted NYPD officer who threw a cooler - April 13, 2026
- GOP candidate vows to pardon convicted NYPD officer who threw a cooler - April 13, 2026
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