Cop-Killer
New York State Trooper Joseph Longobardo has died from the wound he sustained while staking out the home of the girlfriend of an escaped convict. Ralph "Bucky" Phillips escaped from jail on what was actually a minor offense with a short sentence and has been on the run for five months. Phillips has been suspected of numerous break ins and other crimes, including the burglary of a gun store. He is considered armed and very dangerous.
Joseph Longobardo was shot in the leg Thursday night while staking out the property of a former girlfriend of Ralph "Bucky" Phillips.
The announcement came in the midst of one of the largest manhunts in New York history. State police warn that Phillips, who has been on the run for five months, could hurt anyone who gets in his way.
Longobardo, 32, died at Erie County Medical Center in Buffalo with his wife at his side, State Police Superintendent Wayne Bennett said. Longobardo's leg had been amputated Saturday after suffering severe blood loss, police said.
Troopers held a candlelight vigil Sunday for Longobardo and Donald Baker Jr., the other trooper shot in the woods of Chautauqua County. Baker, who was shot in the back, remained in critical condition in a medically induced coma, police said.
Here's an interactive map of the crimes and sightings of Phillips. Here is a link to a picture of this man. If you live in Western New York or Northern Pennsylvania, you really need to be watching out for this killer.
According to officials, Ralph "Bucky" Phillips fled from Alden County Correctional Facility in Western New York on April 2, 2006 by using a can opener to pry his way through a kitchen ceiling and out to freedom.
Phillips has been in trouble with the law for most of his life. His criminal history is pages long, and documents a life of burglary, car theft and stalking old girlfriends. But on June 10, 2006, police believe Philip's upped the ante.
Two New York State Troopers were driving down a rural road in the small town of Veteran, N.Y., about 70 miles south of Syracuse. Around 1:00 a.m., they signaled a dark green Ford Mustang that matched the description of a vehicle stolen earlier that day in Chautauqua County. The driver pulled over to the side of the road before the troopers had even turned on their emergency lights. As the two troopers approached the car, the driver– who police say was Bucky Phillips– pulled out a gun and fired out shots. One of the troopers was hit in the abdomen and seriously injured. Luckily after emergency surgery, the trooper survived.
Family Man?
At the time of his escape, Phillips was less than a week away from completing a 90-day sentence for a parole violation. Family members claim the 44-year-old fugitive escaped in order to be present at the birth of a grandchild. On the run, police claim Phillips' family has assisted him. Phillips' daughter, Petrina Wright, was arrested the week of August 27, and authorities removed her three children from her care, saying she had endangered their safety by letting her fugitive father spend time with them while armed.
Police offered up what they considered proof that Phillips had been to the home shared by Wright and her mother; they say they retrieved night-vision binoculars and a two-way radio, from the home. They also confiscated pizza crust and beer cans that will be tested for Phillips' DNA.
Less than a week away from release. And now a young state trooper is dead and his wife a widow. For a while, the people in Western New York treated this as a bit of a joke wearing T-shirts that said, "Got Bucky?". I imagine they aren't laughing a whole lot right now.
UPDATE: Resurgemus has additional links to information including the NY State Police wanted poster.
Other Links to this Post
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Resurgemus dot com — September 4, 2006 @ 2:17 am
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Blue Crab Boulevard » Blog Archive » A Tightening Noose — September 4, 2006 @ 6:52 pm
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Blue Crab Boulevard » Blog Archive » Most Wanted — September 7, 2006 @ 7:36 am
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Blue Crab Boulevard » Blog Archive » Running Out Of Room — September 8, 2006 @ 6:42 am
By Roland Hesz, September 4, 2006 @ 3:23 am
“Less than a week away from release.”
This guy is mental.
That means he had, what, 5 days left?
And now he will face charges for murder of a policeman, and a bunch of other stuff.
So he will get some 10+ years I guess. Maybe lifetime.
Though, being a criminal is not a sign of high intelligence in the first place.
By JP, September 4, 2006 @ 5:25 pm
My brother is a Trooper in southern NY, and he said he might be sent up there to aid in the manhunt. Personally, I figure if the guy doesn’t turn himself in over the next week, he’ll probably end up shooting himself the first time he’s cornered. I hope it all ends quickly and peacefully for all.
Thanks for the link!
By Gaius, September 4, 2006 @ 5:27 pm
May he stay safe, then. People like Bucky are a dangerous lot. Cops deserve a lot of respect just for being willing to deal with them.