An NYPD officer who made national headlines more than a decade ago in the shooting death of an unarmed immigrant man received a promotion Thursday.

Sgt. Kenneth Boss, who was among four officers involved in the 1999 shooting death of Amadou Diallo, received loud cheers from the audience at his promotion ceremony.

Boss and about 100 other officers were promoted at Police Plaza.

For years, the newly appointed sergeant has kept a low profile since he and three other officers -- Sean Carroll, Richard Murphy and Edward McMellon -- were acquitted in Diallo's slaying.

The controversial verdict sparked weeks of unrest in the city. The officers fired 41 shots at Diallo in the vestibule of his Soundview apartment building as he reached for his wallet on Feb. 4, 1999. The officers have maintained that they mistook the wallet for a gun.

The promotion opens up old wounds for some, especially Diallo's family.

But some within the NYPD say Sgt. Boss has earned his stripes to become sergeant.

The NYPD says the newly appointed sergeant passed the civil service exam and is on full duty status and not subject to any disciplinary or administrative hold.

Boss' new title also comes with a raise.

Meanwhile, some people who are upset about the promotion have scheduled a protest for Saturday.