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Before the officers arrived at the front of the car, Dexter Bostic, 34, opened fire with a [[.45 ACP|.45 caliber]] handgun, striking Officer Timoshenko twice in the face. Yan had been approaching on the driver's side, while Timoshenko was coming up from the passenger's side.<ref name="KellyOnAttackers">{{cite web|url=http://wcbstv.com/politics/herman.yan.russell.2.245666.html|title=Kelly: Brazen Attackers Still At Large|publisher=CBS Broadcasting, Inc.|accessdate=15 February 2010}}</ref> Robert Ellis, 34, shot Yan with a [[9mm]] handgun, striking him in the arm and chest, he was saved by his [[ballistic vest]] and was able to return fire.<ref name="NYSunManhunt">{{cite web|url=http://www.nysun.com/new-york/big-manhunt-for-shooter-of-officers/58263/|title=Big Manhunt for Shooter of Officers|last=Faherty|first=Christopher|date=July 12, 2007|publisher=The New York Sun|accessdate=15 February 2010}}</ref> A third suspect, 29 year-old Lee Woods, was driving the BMW at the time of the shooting. After shooting the officers, the three suspects fled the scene.
Before the officers arrived at the front of the car, Dexter Bostic, 34, opened fire with a [[.45 ACP|.45 caliber]] handgun, striking Officer Timoshenko twice in the face. Yan had been approaching on the driver's side, while Timoshenko was coming up from the passenger's side.<ref name="KellyOnAttackers">{{cite web|url=http://wcbstv.com/politics/herman.yan.russell.2.245666.html|title=Kelly: Brazen Attackers Still At Large|publisher=CBS Broadcasting, Inc.|accessdate=15 February 2010}}</ref> Robert Ellis, 34, shot Yan with a [[9mm]] handgun, striking him in the arm and chest, he was saved by his [[ballistic vest]] and was able to return fire.<ref name="NYSunManhunt">{{cite web|url=http://www.nysun.com/new-york/big-manhunt-for-shooter-of-officers/58263/|title=Big Manhunt for Shooter of Officers|last=Faherty|first=Christopher|date=July 12, 2007|publisher=The New York Sun|accessdate=15 February 2010}}</ref> A third suspect, 29 year-old Lee Woods, was driving the BMW at the time of the shooting. After shooting the officers, the three suspects fled the scene.


Timoshenko was rushed to [[Kings County Hospital Center]] once medical personnel arrived at the scene.<ref name="NYSunKellydeath">{{cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_crime/2007/07/15/2007-07-15_docs_prayer_cant_save_hero_officer.html|title=Docs, prayer can't save hero officer|last=Gendar|first=Alison|coauthors=Robert F. Moore, Heidi Evans, Dave Goldiner, Rich Schapiro|date=July 15th 2007|publisher=NY Daily News|accessdate=15 February 2010}}</ref> Each of the two bullets that struck Timoshenko cut across his [[spinal cord]], just beneath his brain, which left him unable to breathe on his own or to move his muscles. According to doctors, he had no oxygen for 15 to 20 minutes after he was shot because of his initial paralysis.<ref name="NYPostDeathAccount">{{cite web|url=http://www.nypost.com/p/news/regional/item_STOvk1355WydSa8YRs85JM/1|title=Officer Loses Gallant Fight|last=Celona|first=Larry|coauthors=Georgett Roberts, Michael Scholl|date=July 15, 2007|publisher=New York Post|accessdate=10 February 2010}}</ref> Five days later, Timoshenko died while on [[Mechanical respiration|life support]] machines that allowed him to breathe.<ref name="NYTimesDeath" /> After tests on the previous day determined that he had no brain activity, doctors turned off the respirator and [[Legal death|pronounced him dead]] on July 14 at 4:14 p.m.<ref name="NYTimesDeath" /><ref name="slive" />
Timoshenko was rushed to [[Kings County Hospital Center]] once medical personnel arrived at the scene.<ref name="NYSunKellydeath">{{cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_crime/2007/07/15/2007-07-15_docs_prayer_cant_save_hero_officer.html|title=Docs, prayer can't save hero officer|last=Gendar|first=Alison|coauthors=Robert F. Moore, Heidi Evans, Dave Goldiner, Rich Schapiro|date=July 15th 2007|publisher=NY Daily News|accessdate=15 February 2010}}</ref> Each of the two bullets that struck Timoshenko cut across his [[spinal cord]], just beneath his brain, which left him unable to breathe on his own or to move his muscles. According to doctors, he had no oxygen for 15 to 20 minutes after he was shot because of his initial paralysis.<ref name="NYPostDeathAccount">{{cite web|url=http://www.nypost.com/p/news/regional/item_STOvk1355WydSa8YRs85JM/1|title=Officer Loses Gallant Fight|last=Celona|first=Larry|coauthors=Georgett Roberts, Michael Scholl|date=July 15, 2007|publisher=New York Post|accessdate=10 February 2010}}</ref> The loss of oxygen left him in a coma since the shooting,<ref name="WoodsArrest">{{cite web|url=http://www.brooklynda.org/press_releases/pr_jul_07.htm#007|title=KINGS COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY CHARLES J. HYNES AND POLICE COMMISSIONER RAYMOND W. KELLY ANNOUNCE THE INDICTMENT OF THREE MEN IN THE MURDER OF POLICE OFFICER RUSSEL TIMOSHENKO AND THE ATTEMPTED MURDER OF POLICE OFFICER HERMAN YAN|date=July 25, 2007|publisher=Kings County District Attorney's Office|accessdate=14 February 2010}}</ref> so he was placed on [[Mechanical respiration|life support]] machines that allowed him to breathe.<ref name="NYTimesDeath" /> Tests conducted on July 14 determined that he had no brain activity (matching the definition of [[legal death]] in the state of New York); as a result, the doctors pronounced him dead at 4:14 p.m. and turned off the artificial respirator.<ref name="NYTimesDeath" /><ref name="slive" />


==Aftermath==
==Aftermath==

Revision as of 17:22, 17 February 2010

Russel Timoshenko
File:Police Department City of New York.svg
Police career
DepartmentNew York City Police Department
Service years2006 – 2007
RankSworn in as an Officer - 2006
Promoted to Detective - 2008
Badge no.25169[1]
Awards - NYPD Medal of Honor

Russel Timoshenko (August 18, 1983 – July 14, 2007)[2] was a 23 year-old New York Police Department (NYPD) police officer who was shot and killed on July 9, 2007, after pulling over a stolen BMW automobile in New York City's Crown Heights, Brooklyn neighborhood. After a four day manhunt that stretched across three states, all three suspects were eventually apprehended and convicted — two for of murder, and the third for weapons possession. At his widely attended funeral, Timoshenko was posthumously promoted to the rank of Detective. The case garnered national media attention because the murder weapon was an illegally-obtained handgun. This sparked widespread debate over gun control laws in New York City, and over the process by which firearms are traced by police departments.[3][4]

Murder incident

Timoshenko and his partner, Officer Herman Yan, had been driving in a marked 71st precinct police car on routine patrol in Crown Heights, with Timoshenko riding as the passenger when they spotted the 2003 BMW headed westbound on Lefferts Avenue.[5] The officers scanned the BMW's license plate on a computer in their police car. When the check came back, it indicated that the plate was assigned to a 2007 Mitsubishi Outlander, not the BMW.[5] Timoshenko and Yan signaled for the vehicle to pull over, and the driver complied, turning north onto Rogers Avenue, where both officers got out of their car and approached the stopped vehicle.[6]

Before the officers arrived at the front of the car, Dexter Bostic, 34, opened fire with a .45 caliber handgun, striking Officer Timoshenko twice in the face. Yan had been approaching on the driver's side, while Timoshenko was coming up from the passenger's side.[7] Robert Ellis, 34, shot Yan with a 9mm handgun, striking him in the arm and chest, he was saved by his ballistic vest and was able to return fire.[8] A third suspect, 29 year-old Lee Woods, was driving the BMW at the time of the shooting. After shooting the officers, the three suspects fled the scene.

Timoshenko was rushed to Kings County Hospital Center once medical personnel arrived at the scene.[9] Each of the two bullets that struck Timoshenko cut across his spinal cord, just beneath his brain, which left him unable to breathe on his own or to move his muscles. According to doctors, he had no oxygen for 15 to 20 minutes after he was shot because of his initial paralysis.[10] The loss of oxygen left him in a coma since the shooting,[11] so he was placed on life support machines that allowed him to breathe.[5] Tests conducted on July 14 determined that he had no brain activity (matching the definition of legal death in the state of New York); as a result, the doctors pronounced him dead at 4:14 p.m. and turned off the artificial respirator.[5][2]

Aftermath

Manhunt

File:Long Island Mercator projection.png
This map features the Long Island, NY and Connecticut areas covered in the manhunt

Police apprehended Lee Woods at his home in Queens, New York on July 10.[11] City detectives were tipped to the whereabouts of Bostic and Ellis on the afternoon of July 11, after being contacted by man who, unaware of the suspects' fugitive status, assisted the suspects in their escape by driving them across Long Island, from Far Rockaway to Port Jefferson, New York, before riding a ferry across Long Island Sound to Bridgeport, Connecticut.[12] They then drove west, stopping at a supermarket in Tarrytown, New York, where they purchased food and water, before continuing on to Pennsylvania, according to New York City Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly.[12] Remnants of the same food the men purchased were found in a Pennsylvania forest, where investigators had eventually tracked the suspects. Hundreds of law enforcement officers were involved in the manhunt, using helicopters and bloodhounds to assist with the search.[13] The driver initially dropped off Bostic and Ellis about 14 miles from where Bostic was finally arrested in Pocono Township, Pennsylvania. Both were extradited on July 12 from Pennsylvania after being captured within days of fleeing.[8] Police brought Timoshenko's handcuffs and used them to apprehend Ellis during his arrest.[10] Police did not release the name of the driver who assisted the suspects.[12]

Mourning

Officer Timoshenko had served with the NYPD for one year and six months. He was twenty-three years old at the time of his death. Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced that Timoshenko had been posthumously promoted to Detective, calling it "a small measure of our appreciation for the supreme sacrifice that Russel made, and to honor his life."[6]

Over 30,000 people attended Timoshenko's funeral in Flatlands, Brooklyn,[1][14] where Bloomberg delivered the eulogy, praising the fallen officer, stating, “By stopping that car, he and Officer Yan helped us capture three career criminals whose appetite for evil knew no bounds — saving who knows how many future victims, people who will never know how lucky they are.”[15]

File:Timoshenko Funeral.jpg
Timoshenko's mother, Tatyana, receiving the Medal of Honor for her son. Present are NYPD Commissioner Raymond Kelly and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

Detective Timoshenko’s name is engraved on Panel 16-West, Line 26 of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC.[16]

Awards and recognition

On June 16, 2008, the parents of Timoshenko accepted the New York City Police Department Medal of Honor, the highest law enforcement medal given by the NYPD, which was awarded posthumously to their son by mayor Michael Bloomberg and NYPD Commissioner Kelly.[17] At the same ceremony, the officer was posthumously promoted to the rank of Detective First Grade. On October 6, 2009, Timoshenko's parents accepted the James S. Brady Law Enforcement Award, given to their son in recognition of his commitment to public safety through his outstanding law enforcement career. The award was presented by NYPD Commissioner Kelly.[18]

Trial

All three suspects were arraigned and charged with aggravated first degree murder for the killing of Timoshenko, and other charges related to the wounding of Yan.[9] They faced life in prison if convicted. The city's police union and other parties asked federal prosecutors to take over the case so that the three suspects could face the death penalty, but the case was tried by the Brooklyn district attorney after federal officials refused to prosecute the case. Although the three defendants were being prosecuted simultaneously, there was a separate jury assigned to each of them.[19][20] On December 17, 2008, Robert Ellis was found not guilty on the charges of aggravated murder and attempted aggravated murder, but was found guilty on 3 charges of gun possession.[21] On January 14, 2009, a judge sentenced Ellis to 15 years in prison on the gun possession charges.[21] On December 19, 2008, Dexter Bostic was found guilty of aggravated murder, attempted aggravated murder, and 3 charges of gun possession; he was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.[22][23] On March 16, 2009, Lee Woods was found guilty of aggravated murder, attempted aggravated murder, and 3 charges of gun possession. He was also sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.[24][25]

Gun legislation

Several press accounts reported that Timoshenko was shot by an unlicensed gun that came from Virginia.[26] Previous reports indicated that the gun dealer had previously been indicted for his illegal gun sales.[27] The gun shop in question is now closed, and the dealer has been stripped of his license.[27][28] Because the gun was used by a person with a criminal history, and because the NYPD was denied requests to lookup the seller of the gun, legislators attempted to make it easier for law enforcement to carry out their investigative duties.[29][28][3]

Senate hearings

In September 2007, Senator Charles Schumer questioned Michael J. Sullivan, nominated to be the director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing looking into why the NYPD's request for information on who had sold the gun (used to kill Timoshenko) was denied. The NYPD asked the ATF for data about which dealers in Virginia supplied the most crime guns—like the one used to kill Officer Timoshenko—so they could identify the traffickers. The ATF refused that request for data, citing the Tiahrt Amendment, which restricts cities' access to and use of ATF trace data).[30][31] The New York Daily News ran a headline editorial in support for repealing the amendment, entitled "Congress Owes This Hero."[31]

At the Senate hearing in Washington D.C., Schumer stated, "If this is true, it is an outrage. If it is true, it is a horrible example of gun laws gone wrong."[29] Sullivan, then acting director of the ATF,[32] replied to the criticism, stating, "I'm not sure why the request was turned down," and pledged to look into the matter and provide further clarification in writing.[29]

New gun laws for New York City

The complications regarding the illegal firearm used in Timoshenko's murder inspired new laws passed in New York City, which authorized new penalties, touted as "part of the toughest illegal gun possession law in the country."[33] A public awareness campaign, named "GUNS=PRISON", featured posters calling attention to the 3 ½ year prison sentence given to anyone caught carrying an illegal loaded handgun in New York.[33] At a press conference, Mayor Bloomberg stated, "Police Officer Russell Timoshenko was just the latest victim killed by a gunman firing at close range. If the prospect of three and a half years in jail deters just one would-be killer from carrying a gun and taking the life of another police officer in another deadly confrontation, then the law and the efforts to publicize it are well worth it."[33] NFL player Plaxico Burress was charged with this new law due to an incident that occurred inside of a New York City nightclub.[34] On August 20, 2009, Burress plead guilty to a gun possession charge and agreed to a two-year prison sentence.[35]

References

  1. ^ a b "Police Officer Russel Timoshenko". The Officer Down Memorial Page, Inc. Retrieved 15 February 2010.
  2. ^ a b c Donnelly, Maureen (7-16-2008). "Legacy of a young patriot". Slive.com. Retrieved 2009-11-16. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  3. ^ a b "Gillibrand, Schumer Want Repeal Of Gun Records Policy". North Country Gazette. 4-20-2009. Retrieved 2009-11-16. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  4. ^ "Sources: Several questioned in cop shooting". WABC-TV. July 09, 2007. Retrieved 15 February 2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  5. ^ a b c d Williams, Timothy (July 15, 2007). "Officer Dies Five Days After Shooting in Brooklyn". The New York Times. Retrieved 15 February 2010. Cite error: The named reference "NYTimesDeath" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  6. ^ a b NYPD Angel "NYPD Angel - Timoshenko, Russel". NYPD Angels. July 2007. Retrieved 15 February 2010. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  7. ^ "Kelly: Brazen Attackers Still At Large". CBS Broadcasting, Inc. Retrieved 15 February 2010.
  8. ^ a b Faherty, Christopher (July 12, 2007). "Big Manhunt for Shooter of Officers". The New York Sun. Retrieved 15 February 2010.
  9. ^ a b Gendar, Alison (July 15th 2007). "Docs, prayer can't save hero officer". NY Daily News. Retrieved 15 February 2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  10. ^ a b Celona, Larry (July 15, 2007). "Officer Loses Gallant Fight". New York Post. Retrieved 10 February 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  11. ^ a b "KINGS COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY CHARLES J. HYNES AND POLICE COMMISSIONER RAYMOND W. KELLY ANNOUNCE THE INDICTMENT OF THREE MEN IN THE MURDER OF POLICE OFFICER RUSSEL TIMOSHENKO AND THE ATTEMPTED MURDER OF POLICE OFFICER HERMAN YAN". Kings County District Attorney's Office. July 25, 2007. Retrieved 14 February 2010.
  12. ^ a b c Baker, Al (July 12, 2007). "2nd Police Shooting Arrest Made in Pennsylvania". The New York Times. Retrieved 15 February 2010.
  13. ^ Fenner, Austin (July 12, 2007). "'COP-SHOOT' THUG ARRESTED". New York Post. Retrieved 15 February 2010.
  14. ^ Newman, Andy (July 18, 2007). "A Solid Stream of Mourners at a Wake for a Slain Officer". The New York Times. Retrieved 10 January 2010.
  15. ^ Newman, Andy (July 19, 2007). "Final Respects for a Slain Police Officer - City Room". The New York Times. Retrieved 15 February 2010.
  16. ^ "Two Heroes: Connected in Death, Remembered in Life". National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. August 18, 2009. Retrieved 15 February 2010.
  17. ^ "Police Medal Day — Mayor Bloomberg and Police Commissioner Kelly Honor 33 Members..." The City of New York. June 16, 2008. Retrieved 15 February 2010. {{cite web}}: no-break space character in |title= at position 19 (help)
  18. ^ "NYPD Commissioner Kelly honors Detective Russel Timoshenko, presents the Brady Law Enforcement Award". Brady Campaign & Center to Prevent Gun Violence. Retrieved 15 February 2010.
  19. ^ "Three Suspects Arraigned in Police Shootings - City Room". The New York Times. July 16, 2007. Retrieved 15 February 2010.
  20. ^ "Runnin' Scared (Archived by the Internet Archive; [http://www.villagevoice.com/blogs/runninscared/archives/2007/07/three_indicted.php Original])". The Village Voice. Retrieved 15 February 2010. {{cite web}}: External link in |title= (help)
  21. ^ a b "Man Acquitted Of Murdering City Cop Gets 15 Years". NY1 News. January 15, 2009. Retrieved 15 February 2010.
  22. ^ "Bostic Found Guilty Of Murdering Police Officer". NY1 News. December 20, 2008. Retrieved 15 February 2010.
  23. ^ Shifrel, Scott (June 19, 2009). "Sister of man who killed Officer Russel Timoshenko sentenced to probation". NY Daily News. Retrieved 14 February 2010.
  24. ^ Convicted Cop Killer Gets Life Sentence Without Parole
  25. ^ "Cop-killer Lee Woods sentenced to life in prison plus 40 years for Timoshenko murder". Retrieved 2009-11-16.
  26. ^ Green, Angie (July 26, 2007). "Gun That Killed Nyc Cop Traced To Hampton". Daily Press. Retrieved 10 February 2010.
  27. ^ a b Marzulli, John (July 26th 2007). "Tracing a cop killer". NY Daily News. Retrieved 10 February 2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  28. ^ a b Bode, Nicole (July 27th 2007). "His li'l shop of gun horror". NY Daily News. Retrieved 10 February 2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  29. ^ a b c Schumer, Charles (9-26-2007). "SCHUMER PRESSES ATF NOMINEE ON WHY NYPD WAS STONEWALLED ON GUN-TRACING REQUEST RELATED TO BROOKLYN COP KILLING". Washington D.C. Retrieved 2009-11-16. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  30. ^ "CNN Transcripts - Anderson Cooper 360 Degrees". Cable News Network. July 11, 2007. Retrieved 16 February 2010.
  31. ^ a b "Congress Owes This Hero". NY Daily News. July 12, 2007. Retrieved 16 February 2010.
  32. ^ "Sullivan resigns from post as acting ATF director". WHDH. The Associated Press. 2009-01-13. Retrieved 2020-02-16. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |curly= ignored (help)
  33. ^ a b c "Mayor Bloomberg and Citizens Crime Commission of New York City Unveil GUNS=PRISON Public Service Advertising Campaign". The City of New York. July 17, 2007. Retrieved 16 February 2010.
  34. ^ Macur, Juliet (December 1, 2008). "Burress Will Surrender to Authorities on Monday". The New York Times. Retrieved 16 February 2010.
  35. ^ Kearney, Christine (Aug 20, 2009). "Burress pleads guilty to gun charge, faces 2 years". Reuters. Retrieved 16 February 2010.

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