SATELLITE BEACH. Fla.,None — Kevin O'Neill spent 19 years locked up after driving drunk straight into two Satellite Beach police officers, and on Wednesday morning, he was released from state prison 11 years early.
State lawmakers named a part of S.R. A1A after the two officers who were hit and killed at that location.
ONeill was set free Wednesday morning from the Orlando Transitional Center and according to the Department of Corrections he is headed to Apopka.
O'Neill was originally sentenced to 30 years in prison for killing 37-year-old Satellite Beach police sergeant Edward Hartmann and 22-year-old officer Philip Flagg.
But with 11 years of gain time, O'Neill was released early.
"The thing that bothered me most was Mr. O'Neill never showed remorse during this entire process, ever, and never since to this day took responsibility for his actions, said Chief Jeff Pearson.
The two policemen had pulled over a car full of teenagers and were talking to them on the side of the road on May 31, 1992, when Oneill drove his black pick-up truck into them. His blood alcohol level was .022, according to reports.
Commander Brad Hodges said he remembered getting the call in the middle of the night.
"It was just very difficult to be there that night to see your comrades, your friends, said Hodges.
O'Neill 's good behavior in prison is what allowed him out after serving only two thirds of his sentence, officials said.
"We just hope with that time in prison, that time in jail, that he will make better choices that he learned something, said Pearson.
The double killing is considered one of the greatest tragedies to hit the beachside town. WFTV asked the police chief if O'Neill would be welcome to come back and live in the area.
I don't know. We treat all of our citizens with respect and the bottom line is, if he shows up here we are going to treat him with respect. He just better do what he's supposed to do, said Pearson.
The police department said they do keep in contact with relatives of the two officers. Those relatives have have moved out of the area. One relative told police ONeill's release was like rubbing salt into an old wound.