New York Islanders face backlash over fundraiser for convicted NYPD sergeant Erik Duran

The New York Islanders stirred controversy during their recent home game against the Carolina Hurricanes by promoting a fundraiser on the jumbotron for former NYPD sergeant Erik Duran. Duran was sentenced last week to three to nine years in prison for manslaughter after throwing a cooler at a fleeing suspect during a 2023 drug bust.[1] The display featured a QR code linking to Duran’s legal defense fund, run by his union, the Sergeants Benevolent Association (SBA), along with a call to “join the fight for justice.”[2]

Fans at UBS Arena responded with applause when Duran’s photo appeared on the screen, and the team pledged a quarter of the night’s 50/50 raffle proceeds—totaling $44,890—toward the cause.[2] The promotion came just days after Duran’s sentencing on April 9, 2026, marking the first time in at least two decades an NYPD officer has been imprisoned for an on-duty death.[3]

The incident behind Erik Duran’s conviction

In August 2023, Duran, a 38-year-old decorated NYPD sergeant and father of three, supervised an undercover “buy and bust” operation in the Bronx’s Highbridge neighborhood. A suspect, 30-year-old Eric Duprey, sold drugs to an undercover officer and fled on a motorized scooter, driving erratically on the sidewalk toward officers, a prisoner, and bystanders.

Surveillance video captured Duran grabbing a bystander’s Igloo cooler filled with ice and drinks, then hurling it at Duprey. The impact knocked Duprey off the scooter, causing him to crash into a tree and die almost instantly from blunt force trauma.

Duran testified he acted instinctively to protect lives, as he had no time to draw his weapon or issue warnings. Prosecutors from New York Attorney General Letitia James’ office argued the force was unjustified deadly action against a non-threatening fleeing suspect.

In a bench trial before Bronx Supreme Court Justice Guy Mitchell, Duran was convicted of second-degree manslaughter in February 2026. The judge rejected claims of imminent danger, sentencing him on April 9 to three to nine years, with Duran remanded to Rikers Island in protective custody.[4]

Duran’s attorney plans an appeal, calling the verdict a miscarriage of justice influenced by anti-police bias. Supporters view the case as a chilling deterrent to aggressive policing.

Details of the Islanders’ game promotion

The fundraiser appeared during Tuesday’s game at UBS Arena, the Islanders’ final home contest of the season. The jumbotron showed Duran’s photo, the QR code for donations, and an SBA message urging fans to support “the fight for justice.”[2]

SBA President Vincent Vallelong credited a tip from a New York Post contact, saying the Islanders “wanted to do something” for Duran. He noted the arena “blew up into applause” and compared it to common sports tributes to military personnel. Vallelong posed with Islanders co-owner Jon Ledecky and Post executive Pat Judge inside the venue.[1]

By Tuesday morning, the newly launched fund—partnered with the National Police Defense Foundation—had raised $40,000, with the raffle adding more. The Islanders, via their Hockey with a Heart foundation, often support local causes but declined comment on this one. The NHL has not responded to inquiries.

For full details on the display, see Newsday’s coverage.

Backlash from Duprey’s family and critics

Jon Roberts, attorney for Eric Duprey’s family, condemned the Islanders’ move as “deeply troubling,” saying it aligns the team symbolically with Duran’s defense and undermines public trust in the legal process. “This was not a neutral act,” Roberts stated. “It deepens the pain of a family still grieving.”[1]

Civil rights attorney Frederick K. Brewington echoed this, arguing Duran exceeded his duties with excessive force. “This does a disservice to all police officers who would not have done that,” Brewington said. He questioned using a hockey game for such debates: “If the Islanders want to engage… they need to stop playing hockey and run for office.”[2]

Law enforcement backers, including Nassau cop Craig Kasin, rallied behind Duran, calling his split-second decision heroic under stress. “He didn’t take out his gun… it’s deplorable,” Kasin said.

Protests erupted after the conviction, with officers arguing it endangers public safety by discouraging proactive policing. The SBA frames the fund as support for Duran’s family amid a nationwide impact on law enforcement.

Supporters’ perspective and union involvement

Vincent Vallelong emphasized family support: “This is all about Erik’s family… Whatever it takes to get him out.” He warned the case affects officers nationwide, positioning the fund as a stand against perceived injustices.[5]

The SBA partners with the National Police Defense Foundation, a 501(c)(3) group, for tax-deductible donations aimed at bail and appeals. Their site calls for unity: “Let’s show the nation that law enforcement officers support one another, especially when our justice system fails them.”[3]

Fans and police see the Islanders’ gesture as fitting Long Island’s pro-law enforcement culture. Read more in the New York Post article on fan reactions.

Duran himself addressed Duprey’s family pre-sentencing: “I never wanted this to happen.”

Broader implications for sports and policing

This marks a rare intersection of NHL events and police controversies, highlighting tensions between fan support for “blue line” causes and accountability demands. Similar fundraisers occur in sports, but victim advocates worry they glorify excessive force.

The Islanders’ silence leaves questions about internal decision-making, especially with co-owner Ledecky’s visible involvement. As Duran’s appeal proceeds, the episode underscores polarized views on police actions.

Ultimately, the fundraiser raises over $45,000 in one night but amplifies grief for Duprey’s loved ones. It signals ongoing debates: does split-second policing deserve prison, or protection? The outcome could influence NYPD morale and future sports endorsements.