On August 23, 2023, NYPD Sergeant Erik Duran was involved in a tragic use-of-force incident in the Bronx during an undercover narcotics operation. After an undercover officer purchased narcotics from Eric Duprey, Duprey fled on a motorcycle, driving onto a narrow sidewalk crowded with officers and another detained individual. Traveling at an estimated 24 to 30 miles per hour, he headed directly toward them, leaving Sgt. Duran only seconds to react. In an effort to stop or deflect the motorcycle before it struck those in its path, Sgt. Duran threw a nearby cooler. The motorcycle changed course, crashed, and Duprey later died from his injuries.

Despite strong evidence that Sgt. Duran was responding to an immediate and dangerous threat, prosecutors charged him and secured a conviction for Manslaughter in the Second Degree. The prosecution was brought by New York Attorney General Letitia James’s office. He was sentenced to three to nine years in prison. His appeal raises serious issues, including whether the evidence supported any finding of recklessness and whether prosecutors failed to timely disclose key evidence.

Erik Duran is a former NYPD sergeant who served approximately fifteen years in law enforcement. He earned dozens of commendations during his career, including thirty-two Excellent Police Duty Awards and seven Meritorious Police Duty Awards, and helped remove more than fifty illegal firearms from the streets. He is married, the father of three children, and has no prior criminal history. He is now out on bail pending appeal.

This is exactly why LELDF’s mission matters. Sgt. Duran made a split-second decision to protect others from a fast-moving threat, and now he is fighting for his freedom. Your support helps ensure that officers like Erik Duran have the resources to pursue justice, defend their actions, and receive the fair process they deserve.

Stand with Erik Duran. Help LELDF defend those who defend us.