NY Parole Board Denies Release for Notorious Cop Killer

The state’s predominantly liberal Parole Board recently refused parole for David McClary, one of New York City’s most infamous murderers of a police officer. McClary, who murdered Police Officer Edward Byrne in 1988, argued for his freedom but was ultimately sent back to Wende Prison in Erie County.

Appointed largely by then-Governor Andrew Cuomo, the 16-member board has released 43 cop killers since 2017, according to the Police Benevolent Association. McClary’s family, particularly the slain officer’s brother, Kenneth Byrne, continues to oppose his release, emphasizing that McClary and his accomplices inflicted lasting trauma.

Officer Byrne, a 22-year-old rookie, was killed while sitting in his patrol car in Queens, protecting a witness in a drug case. McClary and three others shot him during an early morning assault, boasting about the murder afterward. The attack prompted an outpouring of grief, with notable figures like Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush extending condolences.

Over the years, Byrne’s family has mourned the loss, with his brother and mother deeply affected by successive parole hearings. Byrne’s brother, Larry, who previously led the family’s efforts in parole hearings, died in 2020. Byrne’s mother, Ann, now 88, remains distressed, especially after the release of another accomplice, Scott Cobb, in 2023.

Other involved individuals, like Todd Scott and Howard “Pappy” Mason—serving life sentences—are also awaiting parole considerations. The family’s opposition underscores the ongoing debate over the release of violent offenders and the impact on victims’ families.

Despite the parole board’s denial, McClary is expected to reapply for parole next year. The Byrne family continues to advocate for justice, recalling the shock and grief caused by the crime, which remains a deeply painful chapter in their lives.