It was Oct. 7, 1975 when Police Officer Matthew Giglio responded to a burglary in progress in West Hempstead. Upon his arrival, Giglio observed John MacKenzie exiting a store and attempted to apprehend him. MacKenzie turned and fired a shot at point blank range into Officer Giglio's chest. Those few moments changed the lives of the Giglio family and rocked the West End community of Nassau for years.

The months after that fateful night were ones of sheer agony for the communities of Elmont, Franklin Square, West Hempstead and North Valley Stream. Officer Giglio was rushed to Mercy Medical Center where he remained in a comatose state for several months. A shattered community picked up the pieces and reflected on the tragedy that fell upon one of the men in uniform who had served so well.

During the next few months at the hospital another turn was made in Giglio's condition. An infection attacked his body, and as a result, Giglio's leg was amputated in an attempt to save his life. On Dec. 16, Officer Giglio succumbed to his injuries. He left behind a wife and three young children.

Recently, a new battle has started in the west end communities of West Hempstead, Franklin Square, Elmont and North Valley Stream as Assemblyman Tom Alfano joined with Nassau County Police Officers in sending a message to the New York State Parole Board in saying "No" to the parole for MacKenzie who has served 27 years of a 25-year to life sentence.

"Our community will never get over the sheer horror of this cold-blooded murder," said Alfano, adding "parole should be denied and I'm joining with local law enforcement and community members in sending this message to the parole board. We will not tolerate justice not being served."

Even thought the crime was committed in 1975, the wounds still seethe in West End. It was just two years ago that the Elmont and North Valley Stream community dedicated a street median at Corona Avenue and Dutch Broadway for Giglio. Alfano was on hand for the dedication with hundreds of community members and Giglio family members and recalled the feeling of the time. "The wounds never really heal from a tragedy like this," said Alfano, nothing "for many, it seems just like yesterday that this terrible act was perpetrated. That day was such a powerful and sad event for the family. We will always remember what happened to Officer Giglio."

The dedication was indeed an emotional one with hundreds of officers, pipe bands, police vehicles, tens of hundreds of spectators lined up on Dutch Broadway for the dedication. For most, it brought back memories of that fateful day and the aftermath of the shooting. "Many who were there were friends of Officer Giglio paying their respects not only to his family but the way he did his work and his love for the local community," said Alfano.

Alfano is encouraging community members to write his office asking the Parole Board to deny MacKenzie his petition. "It's my hope that I'll be able to forward hundreds of letters to the state," said Alfano, adding, "Officer Giglio was doing his job, protecting our community and was murdered for it - plain and simple. We have the opportunity to send the message to the state in saying No. Our community will not tolerate that."