Trooper David Brinkerhoff
New York State Police
New York
End of Watch: Wednesday, April 25, 2007

Biographical Info
Age: 29
Tour of Duty: 8 years, 6 months
Badge Number: 4531

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire (Accidental)
Date of Incident: Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Weapon Used: Officer's rifle
Suspect Info: Shot and killed

Trooper David Brinkerhoff was accidentally shot and killed by another officer during an intense gun battle while taking part in a manhunt for an assailant who had shot and wounded a New York State Trooper the previous day.

On April 24, 2007, a New York State Trooper stopped a stolen vehicle at the Sunoco Country Store located on Main Street in Margaretville. As he approached the vehicle, the suspect opened fire, striking the trooper on his vest, and then fleeing into the woods. Members of the New York State Police, Delaware County Sheriff's Department and several other surrounding agencies mobilized to search for the suspect.

The following day, Trooper Brinkerhoff and six members of the Mobile Response Team were searching for the suspect in a home on Cemetery Road in Margaretville after a burglar alarm signal was received by local police. Trooper Brinkerhoff and another Trooper entered a room on the second floor of the home when the suspect opened fire, striking Trooper Brinkerhoff in the chest. That round was deflected by his bullet resistant vest. An intense, close quarters, gun battle ensued between the suspect and four Troopers. During that exchange of gunfire, one Trooper was wounded by the suspect and Trooper Brinkerhoff was accidentally shot and killed by another Trooper. The remaining Troopers pulled their fellow officers to safety and withdrew from the house.

Police surrounded the home and four hour standoff, police again approached the home, firing tear gas. As they gained entry, the house began to burn, and within minuets was fully engulfed in flames. Police were unable to gain entry into the home due to the fire. After extinguishing the fire, officers found that the suspect has been fatally wounded in the earlier gun battle and had died.

Trooper Brinkerhoff had served with the New York State Police for 8 1/2 years. He is survived by his wife and seven month old daughter. He was assigned to the Mobile Response Team.