Patty Giarrusso was just 12 years old when her father, New York State Trooper Emerson Dillon, was killed in the line of duty on October 24, 1974.

When she thinks about her father, she said, "My memories are just of him being a really good dad and funny and very loving, and he just cared so much about the family."

Dillon was shot and killed by John Ruzas after he pulled Ruzas over on the Thruway in Madison County. Ruzas robbed a DeWitt jewelry store a short time before the traffic stop. At that time, he was on parole for two previous robberies.

"These troopers, men and women, who wear the uniform every day, are out there doing the best they can and it can end in a second," said New York State Troopers PBA President Thomas H. Mungeer.

Ruzas, now 74, became a free man Monday. He had been serving time at Fishkill Correctional Facility. He was recently granted parole after losing two previous parole hearings before a judge ordered the board to hear his case a third time. This time, letters of opposition from law enforcement were not considered.

"I'm very angry about it,” Mungeer added. "And I believe the parole board did not have 100 percent of the information out there to make an educated decision on the release of John Ruzas."

"It brought up feelings, buried feelings I didn't realize were there,” Giarrusso explained. "It was very emotional, very, very sad and upsetting, you know? I learned that he would be getting out, and I just never thought I would live to see that day."

The New York State Police Benevolent Association says they will continue with their appeal and won't stop fighting the release until all legal avenues have been exhausted.