The Islanders Just Put a Convicted Cop's Fundraiser on the Jumbotron. The Victim's Family Is Furious.

The New York Islanders faced a firestorm this week after running a scoreboard promotion during Tuesday's game against Carolina that asked fans to donate money to a former NYPD sergeant convicted of manslaughter. Yeah, you read that right.

What Actually Happened at the Islanders Game

During the home matchup, the jumbotron displayed a photo of Erik Duran, a former New York City police sergeant who was sentenced last week to three to nine years in prison. The promotion included a QR code for direct donations to his legal defense fund and a message from his union, the Sergeants Benevolent Association, calling on fans to join "the fight for justice." The Islanders also pledged to direct a quarter of proceeds from their 50/50 raffle toward the cause.

Duran was convicted in February for manslaughter in connection with the death of 30-year-old Eric Duprey. Surveillance footage showed Duran throwing a cooler full of ice and drinks at Duprey as he attempted to flee on a motorized scooter during an undercover drug bust in the Bronx in 2023. The impact caused Duprey to crash into a tree. He died almost instantly.

The Family's Response Is Blunt

Jon Roberts, an attorney representing Duprey's family, issued a statement saying they were "deeply troubled by the decision of the New York Islanders to align themselves, even symbolically, with efforts that appear to support Sgt. Duran's legal defense."

"This was not a neutral act," Roberts said. "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."

How This Happened

Vincent Vallelong, president of the Sergeants Benevolent Association, said someone from The New York Post told him the Islanders "wanted to do something" for Duran. He said the chance to raise money at a professional hockey game "came out of left field." The Islanders declined to comment. The NHL has not yet responded to requests for comment.

This is the first time in at least two decades that an NYPD officer will serve prison time for an on-duty death. Duran's attorney has said he plans to appeal the sentence. Police supporters have argued the conviction discourages officers from doing their jobs, but the family's attorney makes clear: this promotion crossed a line.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.