Yonkers actor Lillo Brancato Jr. is speaking out for the first time about a drug-fueled robbery that left a young NYPD officer dead almost nine years ago.

On Dec. 10, 2005, the "Sopranos" star and his ex-girlfriend's father, Steven Armento, set a real-life crime drama into motion.

Brancato says he and Armento were in search of drugs when they broke into a friend's home in the Bronx.

The break-in woke up off-duty police officer Daniel Enchautegui, who lived next door. The officer pumped two bullets into unarmed Brancato. Armento then pulled out a gun, aimed at the officer and killed him.

Armento was sentenced to prison for murder, while Brancato was convicted of attempted burglary.

Brancato says he first started doing drugs at age 16. He says marijuana led to cocaine, which then led to heroin. He says the prison where he lived for eight years was awash in heroin as well.

He says a near-fatal overdose in prison helped him beat his addiction.

Brancato says he is a changed man and believes it is his fate to help other young addicts turn their lives around. He spends his time speaking to school children and addiction centers about the dangers of heroin.

The actor is also working on his show biz comeback. In his first returning role, Brancato stars as a priest in a new mob-action flick, "The Monster of Mulberry Street."

News 12 tried to reach the family of Officer Enchautegui, but did not hear back. However, Enchautegui's sister has been quoted saying that Brancato was just as guilty as Armento was for the incident.