The mother and family of Army National Guardsman Noel Polanco spoke for the first time since a Queens grand jury decided not to indict the NYPD detective who shot and killed him during a traffic stop in October.
Cecilia Reyes keeps a photograph of her son, Noel Polanco, on a necklace close to her heart.
"It's just hard – it's hard. No one can ever imagine the pain … it's hard," Reyes says. "For his life to be taken away so quickly, it makes no sense."
A grieving mother spoke publicly for the first time since a Queens grand jury decided not to pursue criminal charges against the NYPD officer who killed her son.
"It's still murder to me, it's still murder."
The Polanco family was receiving support and encouragement while appearing at Rev. AL Sharpton's National Action Network in Harlem.
"It's wrong. The guy has his badge and gun. Go back to work with no reason – it's not fair," said Naomi Francisco, a friend of Polanco's.
Detective Hassan Hamdy fired the fatal shot last October during a traffic stop on the Grand Central Parkway. Sources say the officer fired after he saw Polanco reaching under his seat for a weapon, a witness in the car said the unarmed Army Reservists' hands were on the steering wheel -- there was no gun in the car.
Micheal Palladino of the Detectives Endowment Association saying earlier "I was optimistic there would not be an indictment because our detective never intended to commit a crime or take someone's life."
Noel Polanco was a National Guardsman and aspiring policeman. Now that a grand jury decided not to indict the officer who killed him, his family says they want to file a civil suit in federal court.
"I don't feel like anyone should go through this. If I can get some kind of help – I won't give up," said Reyes.
Detective Hassan Hamdy could still face departmental charges following an internal review.
Thursday, May 23 2013 6:46 AM EDT2013-05-23 10:46:23 GMT
For the first time in 17 years, millions of cicadas are expected to emerge from the soil in the tristate region this summer. The bug-like creatures are harmless to humans.
For the first time in 17 years, millions of cicadas are expected to emerge from the soil in the tristate region this summer. The bug-like creatures are harmless to humans. Cicadas live in the soil and make a familiar buzzing sound.
Thursday, May 23 2013 5:40 AM EDT2013-05-23 09:40:39 GMT
Authorities say two New York City men and a New Jersey man kidnapped another man off a Queens street in broad daylight and held him for over a month, demanding $3 million from his family.
Authorities say two New York City men and a New Jersey man kidnapped another man off a Queens street in broad daylight and held him for over a month, demanding $3 million from his family.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 12:27 PM EDT2013-05-22 16:27:26 GMT
Black and Hispanic men are more likely to be stopped in the Bronx and Brooklyn than other boroughs, according to an analysis of police street stop data released Wednesday by the New York Civil Liberties Union.
Black and Hispanic men are more likely to be stopped in the Bronx and Brooklyn than other boroughs, according to an analysis of police street stop data released Wednesday by the New York Civil Liberties Union.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 8:23 AM EDT2013-05-22 12:23:21 GMT
Ex-congressman Anthony Weiner whose career imploded after raunchy tweets said in a YouTube video announcement that he's in the New York City mayoral race.
Ex-congressman Anthony Weiner whose career imploded after raunchy tweets said in a YouTube video announcement that he's in the New York City mayoral race. A poll released Wednesday placed Weiner in second place behind City Council Speaker Christine Quinn in a Democratic primary.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 1:15 PM EDT2013-05-21 17:15:24 GMT
An NYPD detective is accused of hacking into department computers and obtaining information about dozens of people including co-workers. Edwin Vargas was arrested Tuesday outside his home in Bronxville.
An NYPD detective is accused of hacking into department computers and obtaining information about dozens of people including co-workers.
Sunday, May 19 2013 10:57 PM EDT2013-05-20 02:57:40 GMT
The federal judge presiding over civil rights challenges to the stop-and-frisk practices of the New York Police Department has no doubt where she stands with the government.
The federal judge presiding over civil rights challenges to the stop-and-frisk practices of the New York Police Department has no doubt where she stands with the government.
Thursday, May 16 2013 6:47 PM EDT2013-05-16 22:47:54 GMT
The MTA and Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that the A train subway will run its route all the way to the Rockaways starting May 30, seven months after Superstorm Sandy washed away the track support bed.
The MTA and Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that the A train subway will run its route all the way to the Rockaways starting May 30, seven months after Superstorm Sandy washed away the track support bed.
Thursday, May 16 2013 6:06 PM EDT2013-05-16 22:06:34 GMT
A smuggling ring that made a fortune selling more than a million cartons of untaxed cigarettes in New York may have funneled some of the illicit proceeds to terrorist groups, authorities said.
A smuggling ring that made a fortune selling more than a million cartons of untaxed cigarettes in New York may have funneled some of the illicit proceeds to terrorist groups, authorities said.
Thursday, May 16 2013 1:17 PM EDT2013-05-16 17:17:42 GMT
Several New York lawmakers are sounding the alarm about security and safety lapses at day care centers across New York City.
Several New York lawmakers are sounding the alarm about security and safety lapses at day care centers across New York City. In a report released Thursday, dozens of daycares cited by the Dept. of Health for serious and critical health code violations since 2010, have not fixed the problems and continue to operate without penalty.
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