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Local police ready to aid 'Bucky' search
Although they believe that the odds that Ralph "Bucky" Phillips will travel through their jurisdictions is small, local police agencies are poised to step into action if they are called upon to help in the manhunt for the suspected cop killer.
Police have been searching for Phillips, 44, since his April 2 escape from the Erie County Correctional Facility in Alden by cutting through the kitchen ceiling with a can opener.
Although most of the manhunt has been centered in his native Chautauqua County, Phillips has been sighted in Niagara County, meaning that he may have traveled through Cheektowaga on his way north, then back south.
"We have no intelligence at this time to believe that he would be coming through or be in Cheektowaga," said Captain John Glascott. "There're no family members in Cheektowaga; there's no connection to this area."
The search began to intensify when a New York State Trooper was shot near Elmira in June.
Two troopers were ambushed and shot on August 31 in Chautauqua County, leaving Trooper Joseph Longobardo and Trooper Donald Baker Jr. in critical condition. Longobardo died from his injuries in Erie County Medical Center on September 3.
Phillips is considered the prime suspect in the shootings of all three troopers.
Glascott said that Cheektowaga Police have advised the New York State Police that they are ready to help if requested.
"We certainly told the State Police that we're available," said Glascott. Noting that the New York State Police organization is large, "you don't want to go down there and be in the way."
Still, if there is anything that Cheektowaga police can provide the Troopers, they are "extremely happy" to help, Glascott said.
Cheektowaga officers receive daily briefs on the situation in Chautauqua County, and local law agencies remain in daily contact with the State Police.
"Any new intelligence that comes in we pass on to the road patrol," Glascott said. "If anything comes up on it, we'll respond."
Glascott said that the Cheektowaga Police SWAT Team is also prepared.
"We're ready if something is to happen here, or if there is a request from the State Police to give them some assistance," said Glascott.
Glascott said that the Cheektowaga Police Club plans on making a donation for a scholarship fund for Longobardo's 13-month-old son.
"What their contribution is, I don't know," Glascott added. "They're working through the details with other local police unions."
Phillips' physical description is as follows: a Native-American, six-feet tall, 240 pounds and of medium build. He has black, short wavy hair and brown eyes. He may be wearing glasses and may have several days growth of beard.
Phillips is considered to be armed and extremely dangerous. Persons with information regarding his whereabouts should contact the New York State Police Command Post at (716) 679-1520.
Following Trooper Longobardo's death, the reward for information leading to Phillips' arrest and conviction was hiked from $50,000 to $225,000.
Six persons in New York State and one in Pennsylvania have been arrested for allegedly aiding and abetting Phillips.
The State Police warned that the public should know that anyone assisting Phillips will be prosecuted.
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