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CNN Live At Daybreak

Funeral for Family Killed by Drunk Police Officer

Aired August 09, 2001 - 07:02   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
VINCE CELLINI, CNN ANCHOR: Funeral services this morning for members of a New York family killed when they were allegedly run over by an off-duty police officer. The officer, accused of driving drunk, is charged with vehicular homicide. The funeral comes after a big shake-up at the precinct, where officer Joseph Gray worked.

CNN's Jason Carroll has details from New York and is with us now -- Jason.

JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Vince, let's start out by talking about that shake-up. Late last night, New York City's mayor and the police commissioner announced that 17 officers will be disciplined as a result of an investigation into this crash case.

The victims' family has said all along they want justice. They mayor says he wants the same.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CARROLL (voice over): A family leaves home headed to a wake for four of their loved ones. But they won't be mourning alone.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Don't push please.

CARROLL: Dozens of people, including the city's mayor and defense attorney, Johnny Cochran, attended the wake for Maria Herrera, her four-year-old son, Andy, and her sister, Dilcia. They were all killed when an off-duty officer, allegedly driving drunk, struck the family last Saturday night. Herrera was eight months pregnant. An emergency cesarean did not save her baby.

Now, an investigation that began with the arrest of that officer, Joseph Gray, has turned into one where more than a dozen have been disciplined for drinking or failing to supervise those who did.

BERNARD KERIK, NEW YORK POLICE COMMISSIONER: Well, there are places to consume alcohol, and there are places not to. It's not supposed to be done on a department premise. It is not going to be tolerated. And we are going to take action against the people that do.

CARROLL: And what police called a major event, the department announced action against 17 officers assigned to the 72nd Precinct in Brooklyn. Five, including the station's commanding officer, will be transferred, five others suspended, and seven will be placed on modified duty. Police say Gray was drinking with some of those officers before the accident. Some drank at the precinct, and several showed up at this topless bar -- off limits to officers.

MAYOR RUDY GIULIANI, NEW YORK CITY: This action is absolutely necessary. It is warranted. And any police officer that does it in the future should also be suspended.

WILLIAM GENET, FORMER POLICE OFFICER: We have been operating there. We have the three rooms.

CARROLL: Former NYPD officer, Bill Genet, runs a hotline for officers battling substance abuse. Genet says the so-called blue wall of silence stops some from getting help. And it may have played a role in why no one stopped Gray from getting behind the wheel.

GENET: I believe somebody did know, and I believe they didn't know they could do something though. And that's where the difference is. They don't know that there is something that you can do.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CARROLL: Funeral services for the family will get under way at about 10:00 a.m. here at St. Michael's Church in Brooklyn. The mayor says that his investigation is not over. More disciplinary action could be on the way.

Jason Carroll, CNN, New York.

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