Police officers on Tuesday joined the family of a slain officer in pushing back against the possibility of an early release for the man sentenced to 80 years for his death.

In 2005, Donald “Donnie” Young, a 12-year veteran of the Denver Police Department, was killed on Mother’s Day weekend by Raul Gomez-Garcia, whom Young and his partner, who were working off-duty, had thrown out of a baptismal party because he was uninvited. 

Gomez-Garcia, who was staying in the country unlawfully, later returned and shot Young and his partner, John “Jack” Bishop. The latter was saved by a bullet proof vest. Young, who was shot in the head, died.

Nearly 20 years since the shooting, Gomez-Garcia has applied for a program that could mean an early release, assuming he competes it successfully.  

“I think it’s preposterous that this is even a consideration, that the person who killed him will not serve his entire sentence,” Chief Ron Thomas said at Tuesday’s news conference organized by the Denver Police Protective Association.

Earlier, the Colorado Fraternal Order of Police also argued against the possibility of early release for Gomez-Garcia, saying anyone who intentionally kills a cop should face the “harshest and most severe penalty” allowed under the law.   

“Justice must be served. Detective Young’s family, his children, his wife, and our entire law enforcement community deserve to see his murderer serve the full sentence he was given,” the police group said in a Facebook post. “The murder of a police officer is a crime against all of society. We must stand together to ensure there are no special privileges for cop killers.”

Kelly Young said she has not been able to sleep since she received an email from the Colorado Department of Corrections informing her that Gomez-Garcia applied for a program called Juveniles and Young Adults Convicted as Adults.

Colorado passed legislation in 2016 that retroactively eliminates life sentences for juveniles. In the same year, lawmakers passed a separate measure, creating the program for juveniles convicted of felonies as adults.

Depending on the severity of the offense, convicts can apply for the program after serving 20 years. After a convict completes the three-year program, they are eligible to apply for early parole. The governor must approve the early parole. In 2021, lawmakers expanded the age range of people able to apply for the program, allowing prisoners to apply if they committed crimes before they were 21.

Gomez-Garcia was younger than 21 at the time of the shooting.

“I don’t think people realize it takes you back to day one,” Kelly Young told The Denver Gazette Monday. “My girls and I, we are all anxious, fearful and upset. It brings us back to the day it happened and it’s so so unfair.”

Reporters Carol McKinley and Sage Kelley, as well as the Associated Press contributed to this article.