BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN) - "Pain and dedication"
That was the explanation from Tom Eoannou, the attorney for former Kenmore Police Chief Peter Breitnauer, about why his client made the decision to steal prescription drugs from a dropbox at the Kenmore Police Station last year, which led to his arrest and subsequent conviction in January. Breitnauer, 68, was sentenced on Wednesday morning to a year of probation for his actions.
Former Kenmore Police Chief Peter Breitnauer is due to be sentenced shortly. He plead guilty earlier this year to stealing opioids at Kenmore Police HQ pic.twitter.com/whEcYvAlWs
— WBEN NewsRadio 930AM (@NewsRadio930) April 10, 2019Breitnauer had four surgeries since 2012 - two on his knees, one on his back, and one on his shoulders - and was prescribed opioids as a way to manage the pain. Once his prescription ran out, he stole the pills from the dropbox at the police station as a way to use them for himself to manage the pain. In court, Breitnauer and his attorney each said that he does not use hydrocodone anymore to manage the pain. Instead, he uses ibuprofen.
"At certain points, he's in constant gnawing pain," Eoannou said. "When you use the ibuprofen, it just chases the pain and actually doesn't help at all. He'll be in continuous pain for the rest of his life."
If Breitnauer follows all the terms of his probation, his record will be expunged, meaning his arrest and conviction will be erased. Part of the terms of his probation includes him entering into a substance abuse program if he needs it.
Breitnauer also said he embarrassed his family, friends, co-workers, and residents of the village and described the last six months of his life as a "living hell". Nobody was in the courtroom in support of Breitnauer except for his attorney, as per the request of the police chief. However, he received 39 letters of support from family, friends, and seven police chiefs in Western New York, all of whom lauded Breitnauer for his public service which includes being the chief of a volunteer fire company, a military veteran, a former housing commissioner, and more.
He declined to speak to reporters as he left the courthouse following his sentencing.
Breitnauer declines comment after his sentencing to one year of probation. pic.twitter.com/cIfpHWvd4p
— WBEN NewsRadio 930AM (@NewsRadio930) April 10, 2019The Village of Kenmore Board is discussing a resolution which will strip Breitnauer of his health care benefits, something both Breitnauer and Eoannou are negotiating to keep. Shortly after his arrest last year, he was removed as police chief and replaced by Thomas J. Phillips.
