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**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
March 25, 2008
Contact: Sarah Krauss
(212) 669-4193; (917) 541-0936
Release #: 010-2008
PA Gotbaum Calls for a Reversal of the Decision to Deny Death Benefits to Auxiliary Cops
MANHATTAN – Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum today called on the Federal Justice Department to reverse their decision to deny $300,000 in death benefits to the families of fallen auxiliary officers, Eugene Marshalik and Nicholas Pekearo. The auxiliary officers were killed last March, and the Justice Department has decided to deny federal death benefits to their families.
Public Advocate Gotbaum said, "Auxiliary officers risk their lives every day to protect New Yorkers, and they deserve the same benefits afforded other police officers. The Justice Department may be saving a few dollars, but ultimately they are sending the wrong message to these brave officers and their families. The selfless and courageous actions of theses two officers should be rewarded and heralded as an example for all members of the NYPD, but instead we are denying their families the benefits they deserve.
Sadly, this will not be the last time that police officers - both full-time and volunteer - will sacrifice themselves to protect our city. One year ago, I asked the City to provide auxiliary police officers with mandatory coverage of full, reasonable funeral costs.
Today, I’m asking that Justice Department step forward and honor the officers. We owe it to these officers to make sure that they have every tool they need to do their job effectively and safely; we also need to make sure that their families have support in times of loss."
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