NAPO Washington Reports

Parole Denied to John Ruzas

December 4, 2013

NAPO has learned that John Ruzas, who was convicted of second degree murder for the October 24, 1974 slaying of New York State Trooper Emerson Dillon, has been denied parole.  NAPO has worked closely with the New York State Troopers Police Benevolent Association over the past several months to ensure Ruzas remains in prison.

Trooper Dillon was shot in the heart by Ruzas while Ruzas was fleeing from a jewelry store robbery.  When Ruzas murdered Trooper Dillon, Ruzas was already on parole from Attica for his role in two earlier, additional robberies. Mr. Ruzas has clearly demonstrated that he has no respect for the criminal justice system or the law enforcement officers who protect the public.

NAPO has worked with the President of the New York State Troopers Police Benevolent Association, Tom Mungeer, to bring these facts to the attention of the New York State Parole Board.  Our efforts were successful, as Ruzas will remain behind bars.

The attached letter is from NAPO to the New York State Parole Board, below is a letter from Thomas Mungeer announcing the denial.

  NAPO_Responds_to_Parole_of_John_Ruzas.pdf

 

Parole for murderer of NYS Trooper Denied

 I am happy to announce that John Ruzas was again denied parole.  Ruzas was convicted of the October 24, 1974 murder of Trooper Emerson Dillon during a traffic stop denying a wife and six children a husband and father.  The NYS Troopers PBA has been involved in a tireless fight to make sure Ruzas doesn’t ever see the light of day outside of a prison.  With the help of both active and retired PBA members as well as the help of our friends amongst the membership of the Association of Former New York State Troopers, the National Troopers Coalition, the National Association of Police Organizations and the Police Conference of New York, our collective voices have been heard by the New York State Parole Board.  Sadly, Mrs. June Dillon was unable to share in this victory.  She passed away on September 25, 2013 and we had vowed to carry on her fight.

With this victory we cannot rest upon our laurels  because in a few short months Joseph Comfort is due before the New York State Parole Board.  Comfort was convicted of murdering Investigator Robert Van Hall on December 5, 1980.  The Troopers PBA will notify you when we will once engage in a campaign to keep Comfort where he belongs…..behind bars.

Tom Mungeer

President

NYS Troopers PBA