INDIANAPOLIS -- The Indiana Parole Board voted unanimously Wednesday to free a man convicted in the 1974 slaying of an Indianapolis police officer.

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Woodford Called A 'Model Prisoner'

Norman Woodford has been imprisoned for nearly three decades for the shooting death of Officer Roger Manley during a drugstore robbery, RTV6's Ericka Flye reported.

Evidence showed that it was Woodford's partner who actually fired the shots at Manley.

Woodford pleaded guilty and was sentenced to life in prison, avoiding the death penalty.

Manley's family, including his widow, has spoken out against Woodford's release at every parole hearing she could over the years, Flye reported. Police officers have also testified as recently as February to try to block his release.

"Those are pitiful excuses for freeing a person that took part in such a dangerous crime," Fraternal Order of Police President Vince Huber said. "It tells officers that their life's not worth much."

Manley (pictured, left) was a father of three and a five year veteran of the force when he was gunned down. His family was not at Wednesday's hearing and wasn't aware of the decision until Huber called them.

"They're very disappointed and shocked that the system has victimized them again," Huber said.

Woodford was given a life sentence after he pleaded guilty. Under the law at the time, he became eligible for release after serving 20 years. His bids for parole were denied in 1995 and 1998.

"We showed compassion years ago by accepting a plea bargain," said Manley's sister, Lorna Carter. "In my eyes, that's enough. He was spared his life. Now he gets his freedom, too."

Parole Board Chairman George Kemp said the board agreed that Woodford had been a model prisoner.

"The board just felt it was time, that another pound of flesh wouldn't make him a different man," Kemp said.

Woodford could be released Aug. 11, Kemp said. State law calls for a 40-day delay to allow notification of the victim's relatives.

After that, Kemp said Woodford would be moving to Arkansas to live with his sister. Parole board officials would not specify where Woodford's sister lived.