Parole granted to murderer of NYC's first woman Police Officer killed in line of duty

Police Officer Irma “Fran” Lozada is part of a tragic piece of New York history. In 1984, she became the city’s first woman police officer killed in the line of duty. Now, her sister and brother police officers are devastated by the news that her murderer has been granted parole release.

PBA President Patrick J. Lynch said: “Police Officer Lozada’s sacrifice was a testament to the courage she shared with all New York City police officers, regardless of gender, race or creed. The release of her killer is a blow to every cop who puts her life on the line to stop criminals from preying on innocent New Yorkers. We continue to urge Governor Hochul and the State Legislature to fix our broken parole system before another hero’s sacrifice is dishonored.”

P.O. Lozada joined the NYC Transit Police Department, then a separate agency from the NYPD, in 1981. She was assigned to Transit District 33 in Brooklyn and was working in plainclothes on September 21, 1984 when she and her partner witnessed Darryl Jeter rip a chain off the neck of a rider at the Wilson Avenue stop of the L subway line. 

P.O. Lozada and her partner gave chase but became separated. P.O. Lozada caught up with Jeter alone and was shot twice in the head in the ensuing struggle. Her body was recovered hours later amid the tall weeds and garbage in a vacant lot. She was 25 years old. 

Jeter was convicted of second-degree murder and given a sentence of 32.5 years to life, prior to the enactment of PBA-backed legislation that made life without parole the top sentencing option for cop-killers. Jeter had served just over 36 years of his sentence before he was granted parole release earlier this month, according to NYS Department of Corrections and Community Supervision records.

Jeter is at least the 23rd cop-killer released by the Parole Board in under two years.