Disgraced former Buffalo police officer Robert Eloff is apologizing for his actions, the night Bill Sager was pushed down the stairs inside Mollys Pub in 2014.
Eloff was convicted of a civil rights violation after arresting one of Sager's friends, Donald Hall, under false pretenses.
The former officer is pleading for leniency, ahead of his scheduled sentencing, Wednesday afternoon.
In a letter sent to the court, obtained by 7 Eyewitness News, Eloff writes, "I overreacted and let my emotions get the better part of me," when he arrested Hall.
Charges against Hall were dropped days after Sager was pushed by Jeff Basil, inside the University Heights bar. Sager later died from his injuries.
Eloff says, "I cannot apologize to Mr. Hall enough for that night...I pray for Mr. Sager and his family every week at church."
Sentencing guidelines suggest Eloff should spend six months to a year in jail. His attorney is asking for probation instead.
Eloff was forced to resign from the Buffalo Police Department as a condition of a plea agreement.
