VIDEO: Sergeant Charged With Murder 2

To my fellow officers!

Here in New York City, Sgt. Hugh Barry of the 43 Precinct was indicted for Murder 2 by a Bronx grand jury for the shooting death of an emotionally disturbed woman who attacked him with a baseball bat.

Sgt. Hugh Barry

Sadly, the tone that led to the indictment was spawned by political pandering by the leadership of this department. There is no doubt that the words spoken by the Mayor’s Police Commissioner once again set the stage to put the members of the NYPD in harm’s way.

Over the past few months, I have reviewed the tapes from several news stations and observed what was said by Commissioner O’Neill, the Mayor, and numerous other politicians.

Ironically, they all condemn the actions of Sgt. Barry, they all offer judgement, they all did and said what was necessary to avoid the difficult task of telling the people of this great city that Sgt. Barry was justified in his actions. Sgt. Barry was trained to perform the way he did, and thank God he is alive or not severely injured.

The city’s leadership also chose to not tell the people of this city that the mental health professionals charged with handling the mentally ill, DID NOT DO THEIR JOB! Ironically, they all spoke of accountability, yet they are not held accountable themselves.

The most ludicrous component of their statements lie in the fact that none of them were there in the apartment when Sgt. Barry had less than a second to make a decision. None of them were witnesses to what happened, and none of them were at the scene that night.

Ed Mullins

Over the past few months, I have spoken to many members of the NYPD Cadet Corps in the Academy, sector cars on patrol, Patrol Sergeants, Integrity Control Officers, and just about every rank above Captain up to and including Deputy Commissioners at One Police Plaza. To date, I have not found one person who agrees with the indictment, the statements made by Commissioner O’Neill, or any of the politicians who ran from the truth.

In fact, each of these people don’t understand why any statement was made of a “failure” and almost all have said, “Sgt. Barry did what we are trained to do.”

Make no mistake about it – this department has a long history of holding the rank and file accountable for their actions and a long history of inexcusable double standards. As we go forward, myself and all the members of the Sergeants Benevolent Association will provide the truth about everything that occurs and accountability will be a well-remembered word.

What was done to Sgt. Barry is disgraceful and we are doing everything possible to see that justice is done. Please keep Hugh and his family in your thoughts and prayers.

We have set up a Go Fund Me account to help Hugh get through this ordeal. Please contribute what you can.

Thanking you in advance:

Ed Mullins, President
Sergeants Benevolent Association of New York City