4 years after Eric Garner's death, family demands action against cops

NEW YORK (FOX5NY.COM) - Tuesday was a sad day for the family of Eric Garner as they marked four years since he died from an illegal police chokehold. It was also a time of extreme frustration for his loved ones and supporters as they wonder why police officers have not been held accountable.

Community activists, elected officials, and family members who've lost loved ones in deadly encounters with police gathered on the steps of City Hall to voice their frustration.

Daniel Pantaleo, the NYPD officer seen on video using a banned restraint technique to subdue Garner, remains on paid desk duty.

A Staten Island grand jury declined to indict Pantaleo on criminal charges.

The NYPD's own review was put on hold due to a federal investigation, but the police department said it will give the feds until August 31 to file criminal charges and then will go ahead with its own investigation.

That could result in Pantaleo and others being fired.

After Garner's death, the mayor and then-Commissioner Bill Bratton began sweeping changes in the NYPD, which included retraining every officer in de-escalation techniques.

Commissioner James O'Neill expanded the reforms and accountability with innovative strategies.

Garner's family was awarded $5.9 million in a wrongful death lawsuit. But his mother, Gwen Carr, said that nothing can compensate her for her loss or erase the memory of how her son died.

The PBA, the union that represents police officers, said that Officer Pantaleo is entitled to due process and believes he will be vindicated.