When Jerry Fangman heard that convicted cop-killer Russell Bell could be released from prison next month, scenes of a horrifying July night 20 years ago came flooding back.
Mr. Fangman was in the second police car that responded to an armed robbery call in Camp Washington shortly after midnight. Just 45 seconds separated him from the bullets that hit Cincinnati Police Officer Charles Burdsall in the face and back.
Instead, Mr. Fangman was the officer who sat on his knees under a bright street light cradling downed Officer Burdsall's head in his lap.
"You could see the life just drain out of him," Mr. Fangman said Wednesday. "To think that now they could release his killer . . . this is something that can't be allowed to happen."
Mr. Bell, whose death sentence was overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court when the court struck down Ohio's death sentence, is scheduled for a parole hearing the week of Aug. 13.
The board could recommend immediate release, recommend a further hearing to look into the parole or can deny the parole and a new parole date could be set for later, said Hamilton County Prosecutor Joseph Deters.
He, along with Mr. Fangman and Mr. Fangman's son Keith Fangman who is the Fraternal Order of Police president Wednesday called on the public to start a letter writing campaign to the Ohio Adult Parole Board to keep Mr. Bell in prison.
"The only way they (cop-killer) should ever leave prison is feet first," Mr. Deters said. "And that is the only way Bell should leave prison."
Before parole board members decide whether to release Mr. Bell, they will look at the crime, his past criminal history, his adjustment in prison and the community's sentiment, said Joe Andrews, spokesman for the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction.
The department has already received a few phone calls regarding Mr. Bell, Mr. Andrews said. Mr. Deters Wednesday sent a letter to the board saying in bold capital letters "Under no circumstances should this defendant be released at the present time or at any time in the future."
With a photos of slain Officer Burdsall behind him, left, Hamilton County Prosecutor Joseph Deters listens to FOP President Kieth Fangman address the media.
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Mr. Deters and the Fangmans are particularly worried that Mr. Bell could be paroled because parole board members four years ago released another man convicted of killing a Cincinnati police officer, Ricardo Woods, and let him move to California.
"This past mistake should not be repeated," Mr. Deters said.
On July 15, 1978, Officer Burdsall was pursuing Mr. Bell and co-defendant, Wayne Reed, in a vehicle in which they fled from the convenience store. Officer Burdsall stopped the car and Mr. Bell and Mr. Reed got out on opposite sides. Mr. Reed shot Officer Burdsall in the face and then twice in the back.
Mr. Reed was sentenced to death, but his sentence also was reduced to 15 years to life.
Officer Burdsall's widow, three children and mother were victims then and became victims a second time when the death penalty was struck down, Keith Fangman said. The family now feels as if they're being victimized for a third time.
"Officer Burdsall's mother was crying and upset when she found out about the possibility," Keith Fangman said. "She told me, "The nightmare just isn't going to end. Is it?' "
Letters can be mailed to: Ohio Adult Parole Board; 1050 Freeway Drive, North; Columbus, Ohio; 43229 or faxed to 614-752-0600. Letters should include Mr. Bell's name and Prisoner number A154-142.
