Trooper Shot By Escaped Inmate Dies

Joseph Longobardo Dies After Amputation As Manhunt For 'Bucky' Continues

(AP)  One of two troopers ambushed while searching for an escaped convict died Sunday of his injuries, and state police vowed to capture the man they believe killed him.

Joseph Longobardo was shot in the leg Thursday night while staking out the property of a former girlfriend of Ralph "Bucky" Phillips. He died at a Buffalo hospital, a day after his leg was amputated, with his wife at his side, State Police Superintendent Wayne Bennett said.

His death 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.

"You can run but you can't hide. Sooner or later, I don't care how good you are, we will find you," Bennett said.

Troopers held a candlelight vigil Sunday for Longobardo, 32, and Donald Baker Jr., 38, who was also 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.

"We are not going to put up with it," police spokeswoman Rebecca Gibbons said after the vigil. "He's angered a family, and we're going to be out here until he is in custody."

Hundreds of police, 140 a shift, searched rural western New York for Phillips, the prime suspect in the sniper-style shootings. Others gathered at the vigil in Hamburg, about 10 miles south of Buffalo.

Phillips, 44, has been on the run since April, when he cut his way out of an Erie County jail with a can opener.

Since then, he has been suspected in the nonfatal shooting of another trooper in June near Elmira in southern New York, and police said he has survived on the run by stealing about 15 vehicles and breaking into hunting camps and a gun shop.

Police hadn't been able to interview the injured troopers because of their conditions. One trooper managed to return fire Thursday, but police did not say whether the sniper, who fired from less than 100 yards away in the woods, was hit.

Authorities say his disdain for police was well known. Sheriff's officials said that when he was released or transferred from the Chautauqua County jail several years ago, he left officials a note threatening "to splatter pig meat all over Chautauqua County."

State police were hoping a new $225,000 reward for help in Phillips' capture would inspire residents to come forward. Six local people have been arrested in recent days and charged with harboring Phillips, including his daughter and former girlfriend.

Outside the state police barracks in Fredonia, more than 100 troopers saluted as the American and state police flags were raised and then lowered to half staff. One trooper sang "Amazing Grace."

Trooper Mark O'Donnell said Longobardo's death did not change the way they viewed their mission to catch Phillips.

"You can't be more determined," O'Donnell said. "We were determined from the day he shot Sean Brown," the trooper wounded in June.

[diamondp50]

To prophecy411
I have to disagree with you. I am not an angry or bitter person. Everyone who knows me would tell you the exact opposite. I don't even hate my abuser. I choose not to be evil. And believe me when I tell you that I know what hate and anger feel like, but there is a choice and I chose not to be that person.
I did not always make the right choices, but I always stayed on the side of the law. We didn't always have food to eat, but we didn't steal it. They never took our abuser away, because back in the day there was no law against it. We made the choice to not be like our father. Not to say that there are no scars because there are. We just choose not to let this abuser run our adult life. No one was there to help us either.Whywould Bucky as an adult take his anger out on innocent people? He hates police because he got busted. It is most likely that he is the one who pulled the trigger and injured/killed these officers. At that point he chose to become a murderer. I feel for him as far as the way he was raised because I understand the pain and the struggle. But he could have went in the opposite direction and became a good person. It is hard and it takes years of determination but it is not impossible, and life is great! There are many people that have been abused that are good, law abiding, successful people. No excuse!

[prophecy411]

To diamondp50 my deepest and most sincere compassion is offered to you. I assure you I do not take handouts. I am concerned that although you do not commit crimes that your bitterness and anger still affect you and your loved ones. I thank God you feel you have overcome what happened to you and obviously your comment reveals you had no help either. Proves my point.

Newster 1, obviously modern prosperity exists and considering what our ancestors of the 1800's were able to do with nothing we have the right to demand results from agencies with massive budgets and no results worth reporting. If I lived in that time I would be just as repulsed as you are regarding that widows tragedy.

Genesauto-refer to diamondp50. I never indicated that this was an excuse for what he is accused of doing. I stated that this is what happened to him and he is broken inside in a way that the rest of us are not. It may be necessary to help him best by incarcerating him forever at this point. Bucky made choices none of us could control and his soul is harboring furor against his demons. He has demonized law enforcement because they were the ultimate brush off. They never took away his abuser and when he had to steal to eat they punished him for living too...no referral for real help. Proper thinking on Bucky's part...? No, but he is broken and broken people don't think straight.

[prophecy411]

I had the pleasure to meet Joseph Longobardo and Donald Baker at a local grocery as they served their duty in this County. These men deserve our respect in the highest of regard. I cannot describe the sorrow that I feel at the passing of Joseph. I could not possibly imagine the horror and grief his wife endures and words are not adequate to express one sentiment regarding the events that have occurred. Again it is my hope that we can stop people from losing their life to crime whether it is fighting criminals or because they could not overcome their personal brokenness to become productive citizens.

[prophecy411]

Well, we have experts here. I am a minister who counsels 100's of people who grew up like me in a violent alcoholic home. I did not kill anyone. I became a Pastor. I help people FOR NO CHARGE. State agencies know people cannot keep the heat and lights on and food on the table but still want money. Thank God more people want to pound their fists at systems that cost too much and do nothing. My recovery did not come without suicide attempts, self-destructive behaviors and criminal acts. Are you coping well with your past? My family was chronically abused. Not one intervention and hundreds of people knew exactly what happened in my home. My sister knew Bucky's sister. We shared our nightmares, so I know it was the same. You all have two tasks. Spend a month with a violent alcoholic and find one instance where the state helped Bucky when he was under age 18. It does not exist-please prove me wrong. You cannot seek free counseling anonymously here. Once someone takes that first step to seek help without getting arrested for it or CPS taking your family away what you fear the most is no longer an impediment to change. I pay $1982 in taxes to live in a 1971 12 x 50 foot trailer EACH YEAR. For that money I demand better for others. Our money is in New York City. Bucky%u2019s case needs to be studied to create change. It is necessary to know how things started to explain where they ended.

[genesauto]

If that POS thinks he had a bad childhood, check THIS out. To begin with, I was given a girl's first name at birth in Roswell, N.M. due to an inattentive nurse on duty. I never have figured it out, but it was a close friend of my father's, who was pure Navajo, that gave it to me. Either way, it was pronounced and spelled wrong on the birth certificate and I had to live with it and the humiliation at least up to the fourth grade. Supposedly the original name was to be Vey Kee or something similar, but came out as one word. Guess how the nurse spelled it! I lived without electricity or running water till 1968 due to my father's Korean war related disabilities and my mother only knew how to do laundry and cook a bit due to being left without oxygen to her brain during an operation in the early 50's. She did know how to correct myself and my two sisters, however. We had to go out and cut a switch from a tree for her to whip us with. I believe I'm a much better person for that, although it hurt like hell during the switching. "Bend a twig when it is young and it will retain it's shape when it becomes a branch".
I'm a firm believer in that system... Maybe his Dad beat on him or something. I don't know, but it's no excuse for his current actions.
I now own a business and it is doing great. If he had lived a life of "A boy named Sue", he might have a bit of an excuse.
I could write a book about my former life, but this isn't where to do it. Sincerely, Gene

[genesauto]

If that POS thinks he had a bad childhood, check THIS out. To begin with, I was given a girl's first name at birth in Roswell, N.M. due to an inattentive nurse on duty. I never have figured it out, but it was a close friend of my father's, who was pure Navajo, that gave it to me. Either way, it was pronounced and spelled wrong on the birth certificate and I had to live with it and the humiliation at least up to the fourth grade. Supposedly the original name was to be Vey Kee or something similar, but came out as one word. Guess how the nurse spelled it! I lived without electricity or running water till 1968 due to my father's Korean war related disabilities and my mother only knew how to do laundry and cook a bit due to being left without oxygen to her brain during an operation in the early 50's. She did know how to correct myself and my two sisters, however. We had to go out and cut a switch from a tree for her to whip us with. I believe I'm a much better person for that, although it hurt like hell during the switching. "Bend a twig when it is young and it will retain it's shape when it becomes a branch".
I'm a firm believer in that system... Maybe his Dad beat on him or something. I don't know, but it's no excuse for his current actions.
I now own a business and it is doing great. If he had lived a life of "A boy named Sue", he might have a bit of an excuse.
I could write a book about my former life, but this isn't where to do it. Sincerely, Gene

[niagaractny]

Having a relative in law enforcement hearing about the shooting of two state troopers was not news you want know. Those in law enforcement put their lives on the line everyday for our protection. When you have someone who made his life being a career criminal and breaks out of jail and the goes on the run for over 5 months now. You get tried of hearing that it is wrong to harass his family after they have had contact with an escaped prisoner.

Now we have the death of one the state troopers that where shot on Thurdsay. You want to have a quick resolve to this before any one else is injured or killed. Trooper Longobardo memory will be carried with all that knew him and what he did to protect his country and the state we live in.

There is no reason in the world to shoot any law enforcement officer, not matter the situation.

[EASYWRITER882]

My name is Michael James, I am the owner of a nice townhouse in Saratoga NY. The thing is, I bought that house 2 years ago from Joseph Longobardo and his wife. I was surprised to see his name on the news yesterday and wondered if it was "my Joe." Having looked at the photo on the website my worst fears came through... it was my Joe staring back at me and my stomach sank. While I only met him twice he seemed a very special man, calm demeanor in spite of the fact that he was a US Marine. I was impressed with that more than he was impressed with me racing dirt bikes.

Joseph Longobardo should be remember with reverence because he served his country as a Marine. He then went on to serve his community as a NY State Trooper. May he rest in peace and his wife take comfort that he is watching over her still. Terri, you are in my prayers as well as your family. Feel free to write to me at [e-mail]. If there is anything I can do please let me know.

Michael

[nothappyatall]

Yeah, the tired excuse of his POOR terrible childhood is BS, people today have it FAR better off than people in the 1800's! Back then you had NO social netowrks, NO Social Security, NO food stamps nothing, if your crops failed or you got sick it was survival of the fittest- you made do or died. My house was built by a couple in 1930, the husband died before the house was finished, his widow was liable for the mortgage and liens, she lived here for 12 years, later with her grandaughter here and requested 3 mortgage extensions, 2 were granted, the third time she was 68 years old with a 16 year old grand daughter and they foreclosed on her with the sheriff physically removing her to sell the house at public auction for the $1800 still owing on the mortgage in 1942.
There was no help, there were no welfare programs, housing assistance back then but she survived as she could as long as she could.
In contrast, she would have been considered RICH by people in third world countries like Thailand who earn $180 a MONTH.
You go park your behind in a third world country and see what a hard childhood really *IS* like, and then come back here and tell us how BAD poor Bucky had it because he lived in a po' county and had few toys, only a beat up bike, second hand clothes, couldn't go to the MOVIES with his richer friends, or was "abused"!

Watch and see, I bet he goes out in a blaze of gun fire.

[diamondp50]

To prophecy411

The entire USA is full of people at their wits end. There are small towns all throughout the USA that do not have enough resources to go around.

There were 5 of us who grew up with a violent alcoholic wife/child abuser/child molester. People tell us that knew us from back then that they don't even know how we survived. None of us have gone out and ripped people off, none of us have been in prison once, let alone over and over again.

This was all Bucky's choice. The officers that were shot also made their choice to uphold laws, but now one of them is dead because Bucky sees fit to use his hard childhood as an excuse for his violent behavior. Seems to me he stepped out in his fathers shoes and that is noone's fault but Bucky's.

Stop making excuses for a childhood that is long passed. Step up and take responsibility for your actions. Stop using the underservice by the State as an excuse and make something of your community. Don't expect handouts for the rest of your life. That doesn't go over really well with people who had horrid childhoods but decided to take the right path in life. Bitter should only make you stronger.

[prophecy411]

This does not excuse what has happened in any way, however as you can tell from your own postings Chautauqua County is one of the poorest and most underserved New York State Counties. Bucky got to this point because jail has been his social services network. He did not have intervention from a violently alcoholic parent, clothing, food etc... It can surely make you bitter. Although there are thousands of underserved citizens in Chautauqua County that are not killing people they are at the end of their rope. People are not getting help until they reach survival level desperation. There are people all over the Western New York area who are beyond the boiling point because their survival instinct is all they have. I would hope that Bucky's life is studied as it is a testimony to the pathetic systems available in this area in the last 40 years to help those who truly need it.

To the family of Joseph Longobardo my deepest sympathies for your overwhelming loss. It should not have happened and these words will never comfort you adequately in your loss, but know that the world is grieving with you.

I know that it is common for action to result at such a loss and if you need an outlet to change to stop this from happening the lack of non CPS services to help families was the cause of Bucky's life of crime and I could list hundreds of others who are on the brink but have not snapped like Bucky.

[swimnathan]

Im sorry to hear of the accidents involving the statetroopers thank god there was no serious injuries to the officers and may god bless that suspect soul where ever its at and god bless america thankyou for allowing me to give my input.

[diamondp50]

To Hell_Dog

I usually don't respond to scum, but why would you be saying what you said. It is a sad day when those who have sworn to protect us are killed in such a senseless, cowardly way. I can only hope that the day you or yours need assistance from our law enforcement that they remember what you said in this forum. No one deserves to be attacked the way these officers were. They were doing their job. They are trying to catch an escaped convict, now a murderer, and you are standing up for him. Like I said, I hope you or yours never needs the assistance of an officer and I hope the officers can find out who you are so you share one of those jail cells along with all the rest of the scum helping this cop killer.

[tpeks40]

Hey hell dog, someone should put a bullet in you or one of your loved ones, you jerk. Typical of the backwoods mentality hicks that have been supporting this creep from day one. Go Bucky, right to hell along with the idiots that support you.

[djames08]

well bucky, your days of freedom as you know it,is coming to a end.
take a look at others in your shoes.
when the public gets involved, you get cought.
i just hope that i have the priviledge of putting you in hand cuffs,and behind bars where you belong.

[tpeks40]

God bless Joseph Longobardo. It's a sad day when a good man loses his life, leaving behind a wife and small child, while a scumbag worthless piece of *** is still loose thanks to his family and friends. Hopefully the only people hurt from here out are those exact people that harbored this violent felon, and the dirtbag himself. I'd much rather see the state use a 50 cent bullet to end this than have to pay good money to feed and house this lowlife for another 30 years.

[johnqpublic7]

Bucky's friends and family say he's not a bad guy. Multiple felony convictions, jail escapee, shoots 3 troopers killing one. Geez, why would anyone think he's a bad guy?
Bucky needs to meet his end. There is a special place in Hell waiting for him. Hopefully no one else gets hurt because of this punk.
To the family and friends who have been helping him...they need to have some special time in the county jail.
May Trooper Longobardo rest in peace.

[diamondp50]

My sympathy and prayers to the family and friends of Officer Longobardo. What a senseless, cowardly act for this animal to have comitted. And for all those that are harboring/helping this fugitive, I hope you are caught and you all rot in your little jail cells together.

[jjw14692]

Enough is Enough! They need to get this freaking scumbag off the street now. He pretty much signed his own death certificate when Trooper Longobardo today. May you rest in Hell Bucky, right where you belong.