JUDGE IGNORES PLEAS TO KEEP KILLER OF NEW YORK STATE TROOPER LOCKED UP

Cop killer to be set free after troopers' union loses appeal

By Elizabeth Doran

Syracuse Media Group
December 18, 2017

NEW YORK — John Ruzas, the man convicted of killing New York State Trooper Emerson Dillon in 1974, is scheduled to be released from prison Monday after the New York State Troopers' union lost its appeal in state Supreme court.

A judge denied the NYS Troopers' Police Benevolent Association's appeal to keep Ruzas in prison.

The troopers' union said on their Facebook page Saturday that it is "extremely disappointed" that New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman "is fighting the PBA , and his legal team is representing the parole board and the killer!!"

Patty Dillon Giarrusso, one of Emerson Dillon's daughters, said she learned from her lawyer Friday that the judge ruled against the union. She said she is disappointed at the decision.

On Oct. 24, 1974, her father - New York State Trooper Emerson Dillon - was shot and killed after stopping a speeding car along the Thruway near Canastota. Two men in the car had just robbed a jewelry store in DeWitt.

His killer, John Ruzas, was caught and sentenced to 25 years to life for the murder.

Through the years, Patty said her family, community members and NYS troopers have written letters to the parole board before each hearing opposing Ruzas' release.

State judge Victor Grossman earlier this year barred the parole board from considering dozens of letters from law enforcement protesting Ruzas' possible release. The judge also held the board in contempt, ruling at one point that the panel disregarded his earlier order to not include the letters from police officers.

The judge also noted that Ruzas is nearly 75 years old now and needs a cane or a wheelchair to get around. He's hard of hearing. And he's had a clean prison record since 1990 and has repeatedly acknowledged guilt and expressed remorse, the judge said.

In November, a new parole board ruled in favor of releasing Ruzas.

The New York State Troopers' union filed a lawsuit last week challenging the decision to release Ruzas from Fishkill Correctional Facility.