No Parole for Cop Killers

Help stop the parole of the killer of Detective Donald Ray Young

Detective Donald Ray Young

Denver Police Department, Colorado

End of Watch Sunday, May 8, 2005

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Special Instructions: This campaign is to stop Raul Gomez Garcia, inmate #133771, from participating in the DOC Juveniles & Young Adults Convicted Program mandated by Colorado Senate Bill 16-180.

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Be sure to include inmate #133771 in all correspondence.

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Parole Letter

Subject

Your message

To Whom it may concern,

I respectfully ask that you deny Raul Gomez Garcia, inmate #133771, from participating in the DOC Juveniles & Young Adults Convicted Program mandated by Colorado Senate Bill 16-180. This inmate brutally ambushed and murdered Detective Donald "Donnie" Ray Young and wounded Detective John "Jack" Bishop on May 8, 2005, at a baptism celebration.

On May 7, 2005, Detective Young and Detective Jack Bishop were hired as security in police uniforms to ensure that only invited guests were allowed admittance. When inmate #13771 attempted to enter the party without an invitation, he was asked to leave. He left, but when he returned at 1:30 a.m. on May 8, he approached Detective Young and Officer Bishop from behind and shot them. He struck Officer Bishop twice in the back, who survived because he was wearing his bulletproof vest. Detective Young was shot twice in the back and once in the head.

Inmate #133771 was an undocumented 19-year-old living in the United States and was a sworn member of the MS-13 gang. After murdering Detective Young, he fled to Mexico. When he was apprehended, inmate #133771 stated that he was glad he killed the cop who had embarrassed him in front of his friends. Inmate #133771 should have received the death penalty, but to extradite him out of Mexico, prosecutors agreed to try him for second-degree murder. While on the stand during his trial, Inmate #133771 changed his stance and claimed he only intended to shoot the officers at their feet and chest and that they would survive if they were shot in the chest because they were wearing bulletproof vests. Regardless, he ambushed two law enforcement officers, firing his gun five times in a room with women, children, and babies because he was denied entry into a baptism celebration and was embarrassed.

Detective Donnie Young was a 43-year-old dedicated officer who served with the Denver Police Department. As a decorated officer, he earned the Police Medal of Honor and numerous other awards while working in the vice narcotics, domestic violence, and fugitive bomb squad departments. Most importantly, Detective Donnie Young was a husband and father to two young girls and a son. Prior to his death, he was an active father, taking his children to their various sporting events and activities.

Inmate #133771 was an adult when he brutally murdered Detective Young and wounded Detective Bishop. The jury convicted him of second-degree murder and first-degree attempted murder. During the victim's portion of the sentencing hearing, inmate #133771 was allowed to return to his cell and not listen to the impact statements from Donnie Young's family. He was ultimately sentenced to 80 years in prison with eligibility for parole in 2053. If he were to be granted his parole through a state Department of Corrections program aimed at juvenile offenders, it would be a travesty to Detective Donnie Young's family, the citizens of Colorado, and the justice system.

This inmate's violent behavior should preclude any early parole consideration. Parole is a privilege and not a right. As a concerned citizen and in the interest of public safety, I again respectfully ask that you deny inmate #133771 from participating in the DOC Juveniles & Young Adults Convicted Program.

Sincerely,

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