A New York NHL arena just helped raise money for a convicted ex-NYPD sergeant’s legal defense—on the jumbotron, during a game—triggering a furious backlash from the dead man’s family.
Quick Take
- The New York Islanders aired a UBS Arena jumbotron promotion on April 13, 2026, directing fans to donate to former NYPD Sgt. Erik Duran’s legal defense fund via QR code.
- Duran was convicted of manslaughter in February 2026 in the 2023 death of Eric Duprey and was sentenced to 3-9 years in prison, with an appeal planned.
- The promotion also routed 25% of the night’s 50/50 raffle proceeds—$44,890 total—toward the fund, or about $11,222.
- Duprey’s family, through their attorney, said the display deepened their grief and risked undermining confidence in a fair legal process.
What happened at UBS Arena—and why it set off a firestorm
The New York Islanders’ April 13 home game against the Carolina Hurricanes became the center of a legal-and-cultural dispute after the team displayed a jumbotron message soliciting donations for Erik Duran, a former NYPD sergeant convicted of manslaughter. The promotion included Duran’s photo, language from his union, and a QR code directing fans to a legal defense fund. Reports said the message drew applause inside the arena.
IN NATIONAL NEWS — Islanders promo raises funds for ex-NYPD officer convicted of manslaughter, angering victim’s family https://t.co/GMGyE8eAOH
— KREX 5/Fox 4 (@KREX5_Fox4) April 16, 2026
The fundraising was not limited to direct donations. Organizers also directed 25% of the proceeds from the arena’s 50/50 raffle to the defense fund. The raffle generated $44,890, meaning roughly $11,222 was directed toward Duran’s cause. The Islanders declined to comment in reporting cited across outlets, leaving the public to interpret the decision based on the promotion itself and statements from the police union and the victim’s family.
The underlying case: a 2023 death, a 2026 conviction, and an appeal
The controversy traces back to a 2023 NYPD narcotics operation in the Bronx. Authorities said Duran threw an ice-filled cooler at Eric Duprey, who was fleeing on a motorized scooter, and Duprey crashed into a tree and died at the scene. Reporting indicated surveillance footage confirmed key elements of the incident. In February 2026, Duran was convicted of manslaughter and later sentenced to 3-9 years in prison; his attorney has said an appeal is planned.
The conviction carried unusual weight inside New York policing, with reporting describing Duran as the first NYPD officer in more than 20 years to be imprisoned for an on-duty death. That detail matters because it helps explain why the Sergeants Benevolent Association (SBA) framed the case as bigger than one defendant. At the same time, the legal system did reach a verdict, and the sentence established that the court found the conduct crossed criminal lines.
Two competing narratives: “private support” vs. “undermining justice”
SBA President Vincent Vallelong defended the fundraiser as a legitimate show of support, calling it the choice of a private organization and likening the display to the kinds of tributes sports venues often make for service members. Vallelong also said the union learned of the Islanders’ interest after being tipped off by the New York Post. In that view, the jumbotron appeal represented solidarity with law enforcement amid fears that criminal penalties could discourage proactive policing.
Duprey’s family saw something different. Their attorney, Jon Roberts, said they were “deeply troubled,” arguing the promotion signaled alignment with a convicted officer and risked eroding trust in a fair process. That reaction reflects a broader concern in high-profile use-of-force cases: when powerful institutions amplify one side, the other side often concludes the system is tilted—even when a jury conviction exists. The Islanders’ decision to stay silent only intensified the perception battle.
Why this matters beyond hockey: institutional trust is the real casualty
The immediate stakes are personal—Duprey’s family says the display compounded grief—and financial, given that thousands of dollars were routed to Duran’s defense. The longer-term stakes are cultural and civic. Many Americans already believe the “system” protects insiders, whether that means government officials, unions, corporations, or well-connected elites. When a major sports franchise appears to take sides in an active appeal stemming from a death, it can harden that distrust across the political spectrum.
For conservatives, the story lands in a familiar tension: support for law enforcement as a stabilizing force, paired with an insistence that justice must be applied consistently. For liberals, it reinforces the fear that institutions reflexively shield government power. The reporting available so far leaves key questions unanswered—such as who approved the arena promotion and what vetting process, if any, was used—which means the public debate is likely to continue until the Islanders or the league provides clearer accountability.
Sources:
Islanders promo raises funds for ex-NYPD officer convicted of manslaughter, angering victim’s family
Islanders promo raises funds for ex-NYPD officer convicted of manslaughter, angering victim’s family
