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A former New York City police officer, who received a prison sentence of three to nine years for the fatal incident involving a cooler and a fleeing suspect, was released on bail Monday as he pursues an appeal of his conviction.
Erik Duran, 38, left the Elmira Correctional Facility in the afternoon, as confirmed by a post on social media from the NYPD Sergeants Benevolent Association.
“First and foremost, I want to express my gratitude to my family, especially my wife, children, and parents, for their unwavering love and support during this difficult time,” Duran stated through the SBA.
NYPD Sgt. Erik Duran was seen in court at the Bronx Hall of Justice on January 23, 2024, as he faced charges related to the death of Eric Duprey in August 2023 during an undercover drug operation. (Photo by Luiz C. Ribeiro/New York Daily News via Getty Images)
“I also want to thank God for providing me with strength and guiding me through this challenging period,” he added. “My heartfelt thanks go to my legal team for their relentless pursuit of justice.”
Duran’s attorney, Arthur Aidala, said in a statement afterward they are relieved that Duran “is home with his family where he belongs.”
“Erik Duran asked to go to church before he returned home to his overjoyed family,” Aidala said. “After reviewing the trial transcripts it is clear to the objective eye this verdict and sentence are a clear miscarriage of justice. We have begun the process of preparing his appeal and are confident this injustice will be rectified.”
Duran was serving a three- to nine-year sentence for manslaughter when he was granted a $300,000 bond last week, according to FOX 5. A judge ordered him to surrender his passport to his lawyers as he waits for his appeal to be finalized.
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Eric Duprey died in August 2023 when an NYPD officer threw a cooler at him as he was fleeing a drug operation in the Bronx. (WNYW)
“This is a major win for Erik and his family and for law enforcement officers around the country,” Vincent Vallelong, the president of Duran’s union within the SBA, reportedly said.
Duran, a married father of three, was convicted in February on charges stemming from the August 2023 death of Eric Duprey.
General view of Elmira Correctional Facility on Monday, April 20, 2026 in Elmira, New York, where NYPD officer Erik Duran was released. (Richard Beetham for Fox News Digital)
Duprey was attempting to flee on a moped as officers carried out an undercover drug bust in the Bronx when Duran hurled an Igloo cooler at him, causing him to crash and hit his head on the pavement.
Duprey later died from his injuries.
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Duran has insisted he threw the cooler to protect his fellow officers, but Bronx Judge Guy Mitchell rejected his defense at sentencing, adding the punishment would serve as a “deterrent” to other officers from acting recklessly.
“They had enough to investigate and catch him on a different day,” Mitchell said, referring to the police. “The distinction is that the deceased will no longer be seen again by his family.”
Duran’s attorney did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.