| April 28, 2003

Fifteen years ago, 24 year-old police officer Michael
Buczek of the 34 Precinct was murdered while responding to a call
to help an elderly woman at 161st Street. He and his partner came
upon a group of men who had just robbed some drug dealers. Officer
Buczek and his partner encountered these fleeing felons and as Buczek
wrestled with one of the thieves, another shot and killed the young
police officer.
The murderers fled to their native Dominican Republic who refused
to extradite them to face charges in New York City. The shooter
died in a suspicious fall while being held in a Dominican prison.
Ted Buczek, Michael’s father, fought a gallant fight for
extradition and with the help of some local politicians managed
to get the federal government to threaten to withhold financial
aide to the country unless they returned these killers to New York
City for trial.
Mr. Buczek succeeded and the trail of the men responsible for
his son’s death began today, Monday, April 28th, in Manhattan
Supreme Court.
It is important that we show our support for our fallen brother
Michael and his family by attending as many sessions of the trial
as possible. Please get the word out to all of our members so that
we can fill this courtroom with the brother and sister officers
of this young, courageous fallen police officer.
Fraternally,
Patrick J. Lynch
President
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