Letter: 'Remorse' doesn't bring back cops
Diane Piagentini, the widow of slain police officer Joseph Piagentini, holds a photo of her husband from their wedding day in 1966 after a parole hearing to ask that the killers of her husband and his partner not be released. Robert Piagentini, the brother of the slain officer, stands at right. (Jan. 9, 2004) Credit: AP
Regarding "Parole hearing for pair in '71 cop slayings" [News, Feb. 18], Herman Bell and Anthony Bottom admitted in 2012 that they were involved in the murders of two New York City police officers. Now they go before the state Parole Board again to ask for their freedom. Before 2012, neither one had expressed remorse for taking the lives of two respected and dedicated law enforcers who chose to protect the lives of decent people in New York City and lost their lives in doing so.
These two convicts now want to put up a phony front to gain their release, pretending they realize now that the crime they committed was inhumane and they are sorry. I think they should have been made to pay with their lives.
Police officers Joseph Piagentini and Waverly Jones, who were ambushed and shot to death in 1971, will never get a second chance at life. To free the fiends who took their lives is insane.
Edward Dwyer, Elmont
Editor's note: The writer's son, a New York City police officer, was killed in the line of duty.
