Slain NYPD Officer's Family: Convict Must Stay Locked Up

NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- Relatives of a NYPD officer killed over 30 years ago came to tell a Manhattan parole board Friday the man convicted of their uncle's murder must stay locked up.

Family members of Officer Joseph Keegan -- including his niece Noreen Keegan-Connelly -- implored that Bruce Lorick should stay in prison for the rest of his life.

In June of 1980, the then 41-year-old officer confronted Lorick, who was trying to beat a fare at the Columbus Circle subway station.  After an ensuing struggle, Lorick took Keegan's gun and shot the officer in the head execution style.

Keegan-Connelly said that last year Lorick even had the nerve to offer her family money to -- in his words -- "end this proceeding."

1010 WINS Reporter Glenn Schuck talks with a niece who says the killer offered her money

"Of course I declined because there's no dollar value on my uncle's life or anyone's life.  He has no remorse and really no regard for human life," Keegan-Connelly told 1010 WINS' Glenn Schuck.

Keegan was just weeks away from retirement when he attempted to arrest the fare jumper. His family said he even begged for his life before being shot.

More than 40 of Keegan's nephews and nieces hope their words will have an impact and keep Lorick behind bars for the rest of his life.

"It's never going to go away. Even when Bruce Lorick's gone, my children are going to know.  You know, you can't forgive evil and there's no rehabilitation for evil either," Keegan-Connelly said.