Police officer Jacqueline Melendez Rivera was indicted on two charges related to the February 10 shooting of fellow cop Andrew Suarez. The shooter was Melendez Rivera's husband, Jose Rivera, who shot at Suarez and other undercover officers in an unmarked car while driving in Park Slope. (Suarez was shot in the arm.)
Hours later, Melendez Rivera was found by police investigating the shooting, parking Rivera's SUV over a mile away from her Prospect Heights home. Melendez Rivera denied knowing that the car was involved in a shooting, despite the bullet holes, and that someone was injured. She later apologized and her lawyer said that her marriage was "pretty much kaput."
Melendez Rivera was charged with evidence tampering and official misconduct. She did avoid charges of obstruction of government administration and hindering prosecution. She is currently out on $50,000 bail and has been suspended by the NYPD. Melendez Rivera is also 7 months pregnant.
And Rivera was arraigned on charges of attempted murder and assault. Rivera, who was denied bail, is being held at a Westchester jail because Suarez's father is a captain with the city's Corrections Department.
