Families, PBA: Keep Convicted Cop Killers In Prison

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- It was an emotional day Friday for the families of two murdered New York City police officers, as they went before state Patrol Board with a plea to keep two convicted killers in jail.

As CBS 2's Andrea Grymes reported, it is a fight the families do not intend to lose.

Holding pictures of their loved ones, and supported by two dozen police officers, the families of slain officers Harry Ryman and Anthony Dwyer made victim impact statements to the board, 1010 WINS' Al Jones reported.

"It's like ripping a Band-Aid off," said Harry Ryman's daughter, Margaret Ryman. "The hurt's all over again, the pain's all over again, and it takes weeks to get over."

Margaret Ryman said there was no moral reason why the convicted killers should be paroled.
"I can't see giving, granting parole to give someone another chance at life when they denied my father that very thing," she said.

Harry Ryman was just 43 years old when he was shot and killed in front of his family's Brooklyn home on Aug. 14, 1980. Ryman was off duty at the time, and was trying to stop three men from stealing a car when they opened fire.

He left behind a wife and five children.

"When he wasn't working, he was riding bikes with us; playing ball in the street with us," Margaret Ryman said. "He loved us, and we all felt that love."

Nine years later, another New York City police officer met the same fate. Officer Anthony Dwyer, 23, was murdered in Times Square on Oct. 17, 1989, when a suspect pushed him off a building.

He left behind parents and three siblings.

Now, Dwyer's convicted killer – Eddie Matos – and one of Ryman's – Barrington Young – are both up for parole.

On Friday, both officers' families went before the Parole Board with the support of the Patrolmen's Benevolent Association.

"They won't, and should not, have any opportunity to walk the streets and try to kill any citizen here," said PBA President Patrick Lynch.

Ryman's grandson followed in his footsteps, joining the NYPD and carrying his shield. The family said speaking before the board each time Young is up for parole means continuously reliving the murder.

"We're victims that just keep getting re-victimized every two years," Margaret Ryman said.

A Parole Board representative said Matos will appear in front of the board in June, while Young will appear in August.

A representative said a decision on whether to grant parole or not will be released a few days after the appearances.

The PBA said these days, convicted cop killers can be sentenced to life in prison without parole.

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