Islanders Criticized for Fundraiser Promoting Ex-NYPD Officer's Legal Defense

The hockey team's promotion of a convicted officer's legal fund angers victim's family

Apr. 15, 2026 at 10:20pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a shattered plastic cooler lid against a pitch-black background, creating a stark, gritty, investigative aesthetic.A shattered cooler lid, a symbol of the violent incident that led to a man's death and sparked outrage over the Islanders' fundraising efforts.NYC Today

The New York Islanders are facing backlash for promoting a fundraiser on their jumbotron to support the legal defense of former NYPD Sergeant Erik Duran, who was recently convicted of manslaughter for throwing a cooler at a fleeing suspect, Eric Duprey, causing his death. The team also directed a portion of a 50/50 raffle to Duran's defense fund, drawing outrage from Duprey's family and questions about the appropriateness of the promotion.

Why it matters

The Islanders' decision to align themselves with Duran's legal defense efforts is seen as a troubling message that could undermine public trust in the justice system and deepen the pain for Duprey's grieving family. It also raises broader questions about how professional sports teams should handle cases involving law enforcement misconduct.

The details

Surveillance footage showed Duran lifting a bystander's cooler and throwing it at Duprey as he tried to flee on a scooter, causing him to crash into a tree and die almost instantly. Duran was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 3-9 years in prison, the first time in at least two decades an NYPD officer will serve time for an on-duty death. The Islanders' promotion featured a photo of Duran, a QR code for donations, and a message from his union, the Sergeants Benevolent Association, requesting fans join 'the fight for justice'.

  • Duran was sentenced last week to 3-9 years in prison for the 2023 incident.
  • The Islanders' fundraiser promotion was shown on the jumbotron during their home game against the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday.

The players

Erik Duran

A former NYPD sergeant who was recently convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 3-9 years in prison for throwing a cooler at a fleeing suspect, Eric Duprey, causing his death.

Eric Duprey

A 30-year-old man who died after Duran threw a cooler at him as he was fleeing an undercover drug bust, causing him to crash his scooter into a tree.

Sergeants Benevolent Association

The police union that requested fans 'join the fight for justice' in supporting Duran's legal defense.

Jon Roberts

An attorney for Duprey's family, who said the Islanders' decision 'risks undermining public confidence in a fair legal process and deepens the pain of a family still grieving.'

Vincent Vallelong

The president of the Sergeants Benevolent Association, who said the fundraiser promotion 'came out of left field' and defended the Islanders' right as a 'private organization' to do 'whatever they want.'

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What they’re saying

“This was not a neutral act. It sends a message — intended or not — that risks undermining public confidence in a fair legal process and deepens the pain of a family still grieving.”

— Jon Roberts, Attorney for Duprey family

“They're a private organization. They can do whatever they want.”

— Vincent Vallelong, President, Sergeants Benevolent Association

What’s next

Duran's attorney has said he plans to appeal the manslaughter conviction.

The takeaway

The Islanders' decision to promote a fundraiser for a convicted former officer's legal defense has sparked outrage, raising concerns about how professional sports teams handle cases involving law enforcement misconduct and the impact it can have on public trust in the justice system.