A man convicted in one of the most notorious cop killings in New York City history was just denied parole, a move hailed by the slain officer’s family.
Todd Scott, who is serving 25 years to life behind bars for his role in the 1988 assassination of 22-year-old rookie Officer Edward Byrne, will remain incarcerated at Shawangunk Correctional Facility in Ulster County, according to union officials and state records.
Scott admitted that he was hired to distract Byrne while the cop, who had been on the force just a month, was guarding the Queens home of a witness planning to testify against Jamaica drug kingpin Howard “Pappy” Mason.
Scott and three cohorts ended up splitting an $8,000 payment for the gangland execution, which was so brazen that it shocked the country, the New York Post reports.
“My brother Eddie’s whole life was ahead of him when this violent drug gang took that precious life away,” sibling Kenneth Byrne said in a statement after the parole board’s ruling Jan. 23 to keep Scott behind bars.
“The best way to honor my brother’s sacrifice is to keep showing that there is no redemption for those who kill police officers.”
Police Benevolent Association President Patrick Hendry added in the statement, “We are relieved to learn that this vicious cop-killer will remain behind bars for now, but our work isn’t done.
