Islanders Criticized for Fundraiser Supporting Ex-NYPD Officer Convicted of Manslaughter

The hockey team's promotion urging fans to donate to the legal defense of Erik Duran has angered the victim's family.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 11:37pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of shattered glass, capturing the stark, gritty, and investigative aesthetic of the crime scene.The Islanders' controversial fundraiser for a convicted ex-officer highlights the ongoing tensions between law enforcement and communities.NYC Today

The New York Islanders are facing backlash for a jumbotron promotion during a recent home game that urged fans to donate to the legal defense fund of Erik Duran, a former NYPD sergeant who was convicted of manslaughter for causing the death of 30-year-old Eric Duprey in 2023. The team also said it would direct a portion of proceeds from a 50/50 raffle toward Duran's cause, which was organized by his union, the Sergeants Benevolent Association. The victim's family has expressed deep concern over the Islanders' decision, saying it risks undermining public confidence in the legal process and deepening their grief.

Why it matters

The Islanders' decision to align themselves with efforts supporting Duran's legal defense has sparked outrage, as it is seen as a symbolic endorsement of his actions that led to Duprey's death. This move risks further dividing the community and eroding trust in the justice system, especially as Duran's conviction marks the first time in at least two decades that an NYPD officer will face prison time for an on-duty fatality.

The details

Surveillance footage showed Duran lifting a bystander's cooler full of drinks and ice and throwing it at Duprey as he attempted to flee on a motorized scooter during an undercover drug bust in the Bronx in 2023. The impact of the cooler caused Duprey to crash into a tree, leading to his almost instant death. Duran was sentenced last week to three to nine years in prison for the manslaughter conviction, which drew fierce protests from police officers and their supporters who argued it would discourage officers from doing their jobs and hurt public safety.

  • Duran was sentenced last week to three to nine years in prison for causing the death of Eric Duprey in 2023.
  • The Islanders' fundraiser promotion for Duran's legal defense was shown on the jumbotron during the team's home game against the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday.

The players

Erik Duran

A former New York City police sergeant who was recently convicted of manslaughter for causing the death of 30-year-old Eric Duprey in 2023.

Eric Duprey

A 30-year-old man who died almost instantly after Duran threw a cooler full of ice at him, causing him to crash his motorized scooter into a tree during an undercover drug bust in the Bronx in 2023.

Vincent Vallelong

The president of the Sergeants Benevolent Association, the union representing Duran, who organized the fundraiser for his legal defense.

Jon Roberts

The attorney for the Duprey family, who expressed deep concern over the Islanders' decision to align themselves with efforts supporting Duran's legal defense.

Jon Ledecky

The co-owner of the New York Islanders hockey team.

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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 the Duprey family

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

— Vincent Vallelong, President of the Sergeants Benevolent Association

What’s next

Duran's attorney has said he will appeal the sentence, and the NHL has not yet responded to a request seeking comment on the Islanders' fundraiser promotion.

The takeaway

The Islanders' decision to raise funds for the legal defense of a former officer convicted of manslaughter has sparked outrage and concerns that it could further erode public trust in the justice system. This case highlights the ongoing tensions between law enforcement and communities, and the need for greater accountability and transparency when it comes to on-duty incidents involving police.