A convicted killer who shot an NYPD cop in the head in Brooklyn almost four decades ago is being considered for release, but the victim’s daughter is vehemently against it, insisting he should remain incarcerated for the rest of his life.
Francisco Rodriguez, who was only 22 and had been out on parole for just 42 days, murdered Transit Officer Robert Venable on September 22, 1987.
Januari Venable, who was 8 years old when her father was killed, expressed her strong opposition to Rodriguez’s potential release to the state Parole Board on October 11, stating, “Because of him I didn’t get to have a dad.”
Rodriguez, now 58, is currently serving his sentence at Green Haven Correctional Facility in Dutchess County. If granted parole, he would be the 44th cop killer released by the state since 2017.
Officer Venable, a single father, had called his daughter the night he was killed to inform her that he would be home late.
Venable and his colleagues were responding to a call about an armed man in Brooklyn when he was tragically shot in the head by Rodriguez, who was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 37 years to life in prison.
Januari Venable shared that her father fought for his life after being shot, but ultimately succumbed to his injuries.
Januari Venable expressed her frustration with the parole system, which she believes prioritizes an inmate’s age and behavior in prison rather than the severity of their crime.
She firmly believes that Rodriguez should not be released and should spend the remainder of his life behind bars.
Januari Venable urged New Yorkers to support her cause and send letters to the parole board expressing their opposition to Rodriguez’s release.
