CALL TO ACTION: Parole Hearing Mail Campaign

Sergeant Timothy J. Henck was 30 years old and a 9-year veteran when he was killed in the performance of his duty in 1995. Tim left behind his wife, Kathleen and their 6-week-old daughter, Jennifer.

The man who murdered him is up for parole early this June. Arthur Adinolfi, Department Identification Number (DIN) 96A4871, was 37 years old and a career criminal. He was convicted of Murder 2 and sentenced to life in prison.

Normally a victim is alerted several months prior to a parole hearing, but Kathy was only given one-month notice. I have been coordinating with her on the campaign to deny Adinolfi’s parole.

Kathy and I are asking all of Tim’s friends to send a personal letter to the NYS Parole Board as soon as possible. Personal letters yield more impact with the parole board so they can see how strongly we are all opposed to the release of this career criminal and killer. However, SOA members can choose to utilize a letter we drafted that can be printed, and your signature, name and rank written in the space provided. Personal notes can be handwritten and added to that as well. A second letter is available for printing for your friends and family who would like to help support us. Please then mail to the address provided on the documents. These letters are available in the Sgt. Timothy J. Henck tab on the public portion of our website home page.

Additionally, we are conducting a social media campaign to people who can help us spread the word and show support to the Henck family. We have newly created social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. The links for these can be found on the homepage of our website.  Although hard copy letters are preferred by Tim’s family, an appeal can be made electronically as well. Please follow the link, https://doccs.ny.gov/form/letters-in-support-or-opposition, fill in the required information and submit.  All submissions must be made before June 1, 2020. 

The following is a recap of Sergeant Henck's violent Murder.

On July 31, 1995, SOA member Sergeant Henck was working the 10:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. tour of duty in the Fifth Precinct in Patchogue. At approximately 12:45 a.m., a police officer observed a subject fleeing the scene of a burglary at a store in Bohemia. The subject fled in a van, and a motor vehicle pursuit ensued. 

Sergeant Henck was supervising the pursuit as it went westbound on the Long Island Expressway towards Huntington. Sergeant Henck, considering the safety of other officers and motorists, attempted to stop the van. The subject rammed his vehicle numerous times, sending it into an embankment on the Expressway near exit 52. Sergeant Henck was pinned in his patrol vehicle. When he was removed from his marked police car, officers performed CPR, and he was airlifted to Stony Brook University Hospital. On August 6, 1995, Sergeant Henck succumbed to his injuries. 

Please help us by sharing the letter with your friends and family and spreading the word on social media.

On behalf of the Henck family, I thank you.

Stay healthy and be safe.

Jim Gruenfelder

PLEASE ADDRESS ALL LETTERS TO: