A former New York Police Department officer revealed Monday that he personally arrested Laken Riley's convicted killer, José Ibarra, when he worked for the department, months before the nurse's death, but Ibarra was later released.

The former New York law enforcement officer, who now works as a police officer in Palm Beach, Florida, made the comment during a White House event for families whose loved ones were victims of violent crimes by illegal migrants. 

"I personally arrested José Ibarra for endangering the welfare of a child," Palm Beach Officer Ethan Curreri said. "A few months later, I saw his face again in the news after he viciously murdered Laken Riley. 

"I did my job. I put him in custody — the system failed," he continued. "No detainer, no accountability, no deportation. An innocent American life was taken. If you enter our country illegally, there will be consequences under this administration."

Ibarra was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole in November 2024 after being found guilty of murdering Riley, a former Georgia nursing student who was killed earlier that year. 

The illegal migrant was convicted on three counts of felony murder, one count of malice murder, one count of kidnapping with bodily injury, one count of aggravated assault with intent to rape and one “peeping Tom" count.

The revelation comes the same day that President Donald Trump designated Feb. 22 as National Angel Family Day.

“Everyone in this room not only suffered an infinite loss,” Trump said in remarks. “They were the victims of politicians who put the comfort of foreign criminals before the safety of American citizens and American patriots. Their stories were censored and suppressed like maybe almost never before so that the politicians could open our borders and allow our nation to be invaded.”