New York State Police, New York
End of Watch Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Add to My HeroesDavid Brinkerhoff
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 him 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 after a nine and a half hour standoff police again approached the home, firing tear gas. As they gained entry, the house began to burn, and within minutes 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 by Trooper Brinkerhoff 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.
Bio
- Age 29
- Tour 8 years, 6 months
- Badge 4531
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire (Inadvertent)
Most Recent Reflection
View all 638 Reflections"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
Matthew 5:9
Marshal Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service
April 25, 2018
Recent LODD Deaths

Police Officer Stephen Carr
Fayetteville Police Department, AR
EOW: December 7, 2019

Sergeant Christopher Brewster
Houston Police Department, TX
EOW: December 7, 2019

Agent Billy Fred Clardy, III
Huntsville Police Department, AL
EOW: December 6, 2019

Sergeant Joshua Voth
Colorado Department of Corrections, CO
EOW: December 4, 2019

Master-at-Arms Oscar J. Temores
United States Navy Security Forces, US
EOW: November 30, 2019

Sheriff John "Big John" Williams, Sr.
Lowndes County Sheriff's Office, AL
EOW: November 23, 2019

Police Officer Rasheen McClain
Detroit Police Department, MI
EOW: November 20, 2019

Investigator Cecil Ridley
Richmond County Sheriff's Office, GA
EOW: November 19, 2019

Deputy Sheriff Stephen Reece
Cheatham County Sheriff's Office, TN
EOW: November 15, 2019