Man gets 25 years to life in attempted murder of Suffolk County officer

A judge on Thursday sentenced a man who pleaded guilty to the attempted aggravated murder of a Suffolk County police office r to 25 years to life.

Janell Funderburke, 21, admitted to shooting Officer Michael LaFauci in the right thigh in Coram in May 2023.

Prosecutors say the officer was investigating Funderburke for an armed robbery he committed during a drug deal when he saw him. After a chase, Funderburke pulled out a gun and fired twice.

Allen Bode, chief assistant Suffolk County district attorney, shared LaFauci's impact statement after the sentencing hearing on Thursday:

"You refused to stop and show me your hands," Bode read. "Instead, you pulled a 9mm handgun from your waistband pointed it at my chest and pulled the trigger two times. I was just trying to do my job, but you were trying to kill me."

"It was almost my last time seeing my family, because you thought getting away from cops was more important than my life," the victim impact statement said.

Prosecutors say bail reform is to blame for the shooting of the police officer.

"One month before the shooting of Officer LaFauci, this defendant was arrested for possession with intent to deal fentanyl, I think it was fentanyl and oxycodone," added Bode. "He should have been in jail, he gets let out and that results in the shooting of Officer LaFauci."

Funderburke also pleaded guilty to robbery.

LaFauci is still recovering from his injuries.

"He has a young child and another child on the way," said Suffolk County Police Benevolent Association President Lou Civello. "For him to say I can't play with my daughter, I have to tell her I'm sorry, daddy can't pick you up today because daddy's not physically able to, that's awful."

At the time of Funderburke's arrest, family members shared his history of schizophrenia and opioid addiction. Funderburke's mother had hoped he would remain in the state's care after prior arrests.

"She would like to take some accountability because she knew what was happening with her son," said Shaha Jackson, a spokesperson for the Funderburke family. "She should have got him some help."

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