Partner of Slain NYPD Officer Emotional on Stand

May 13, 2013
Retired Detective Glenn Estrada choked up in court as he testified in the trial of two Brooklyn men.

The partner of slain NYPD cop Peter Figoski choked up in court Friday as he testified in the trial of two Brooklyn men accused in the botched robbery that led to the fatal shooting.

"I heard a loud noise, like a door slamming," said retired Detective Glenn Estrada, describing the moment his partner was shot in the face. "I heard a scream, like a surprised scream."

Alleged crew ringleader Nelson Morales, 28, and pothead Kevin Santos, 32, are on trial in Brooklyn Supreme Court for burglary and felony murder for their roles in the East New York shooting.

Estrada recounted for the second time in three months how he released a fleeing Santos in order to chase down shooter Lamont Pride, who was convicted in his own trial in February.

Once Pride was collared and cuffed, Estrada sprinted alone back to the row house where his partner lay dying.

"I had a bad feeling something happened," Estrada said, tears in his eyes.

"They were wheeling Pete out on a stretcher . . . It was mayhem. They were bringing the stretcher out, and our priority was to get him into the ambulance," Estrada said.

Pride was sentenced to 45 years to life in February, while accused getaway driver Michael Velez was acquitted on all counts.

The fifth member of the crew, Ariel Tejada, 24, will testify against Morales and Santos in exchange for a plea deal that will get him just 18 years in prison.

Copyright 2013 N.Y.P. Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Sponsored Recommendations

Build Your Real-Time Crime Center

March 19, 2024
A checklist for success

Whitepaper: A New Paradigm in Digital Investigations

July 28, 2023
Modernize your agency’s approach to get ahead of the digital evidence challenge

A New Paradigm in Digital Investigations

June 6, 2023
Modernize your agency’s approach to get ahead of the digital evidence challenge.

Listen to Real-Time Emergency 911 Calls in the Field

Feb. 8, 2023
Discover advanced technology that allows officers in the field to listen to emergency calls from their vehicles in real time and immediately identify the precise location of the...

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Officer, create an account today!