The Westchester County investigation that cleared four police officers in the killing of an off-duty colleague was rushed and incomplete, and state and federal officials should step in, the victim's parents and their supporters said Thursday.

They also called for a rally next week at the scene of the shooting and implied that the policeman, Christopher Ridley, might not have been slain if he were white.

"We will not sit by and allow this to be the last word," said the Rev. W. Franklyn Richardson, speaking for the United Black Clergy of Westchester at a news conference in a chapel of his Grace Baptist Church.

He said the family and the community "feel betrayed, outraged, and believe that this report is a collaboration of coverup." He characterized the grand jury report as saying, "Christopher died and it was nobody's fault. ... The most outrageous conclusion that we could have ever imagined."

Ridley's mother, Felita Bouche, said, "I don't like what Westchester did. I think they need to be investigated. It's been 47 days I waited patiently. ... I want an investigation done and I want justification."
Ridley's father, Stanley Ridley, wept and said, "I want answers now. ... Somebody's going to give me some answers."

Calvin Scholar, a lawyer for the family, alleged that White Plains police, who ran the investigation, sometimes ignored witnesses whose accounts would have supported criminal charges. He would not provide the names of those witnesses.

Westchester District Attorney Janet DiFiore said she had "complete faith and confidence" in the grand jury process.
Ridley, 23, was killed Jan. 25 as he tried to arrest an assault suspect in downtown White Plains. Based on witness accounts and surveillance videos, officials said, Ridley did not identify himself as a policeman and did not drop his gun when the county officers ordered him to do so. He was killed when he turned toward the officers with his gun in his hand, the officials said.