Police Release ‘Friendly Fire’ Officers’ Names

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The New York Sun

WHITE PLAINS — Investigators have released the names of four Westchester County officers involved in the “friendly fire” killing of a policeman as he broke up a fight.

White Plains police, who are leading the investigation, identified the four county law enforcers yesterday as Officers Jose Calero, Christian Gutierrez, and Frank Oliveri, and Detective Robin Martin.

Investigators said the number of shots fired — and who fired those shots — are still under investigation.

The White Plains deputy public safety commissioner, Daniel Jackson, said it was too early in the investigation to determine whether any county officers would face charges.

Holly Savage of Port Chester told the Journal News that she witnessed the shooting of off-duty Mount Vernon Officer Christopher Ridley on Friday evening as she waited for a bus.

The officers who fired “were standing across the street at the time. They were across from the incident,” she said.

“I don’t think he (Ridley) could hear them” yelling to drop the gun, she added.

Earlier yesterday, a tearful Felita Bouche appeared at a makeshift shrine in downtown White Plains for her 23-year-old son, who was shot as he intervened in the fight between two homeless people in front of the county’s social services building.

Ms. Bouche said her son “died in honor. … He’s a person that died trying to help.”

“He asked for help that day,” Ms. Bouche said. “You ask your brothers, your fellow officers, to help you, not to kill you.”


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