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 MARGARETVILLE---The bullet that killed Trooper David Brinkerhoff of Coxsackie Wednesday morning as he and seven members of the State Police's elite Mobile Response Team searched a farmhouse for a suspect in the shooting of another state trooper likely came from the weapon of a another state trooper.
At a press conference Friday, Acting State Police Superintendent Preston Felton said that Brinkerhoff's autopsy and "preliminary forensic review" indicated that the trooper had been shot in the chest by a high caliber round which police believe was fired by the subject of the intensive manhunt, Travis Trim, 23, of St. Lawrence County. Felton said this round was stopped by the trooper's Kevlar vest and Brinkerhoff was "knocked back". The fatal wound to the officer's head was made by a .223 tactical round, believed to have been fired by a MRT team member, Felton said. It is unknown if was from crossfire or a direct hit.
"Sadly Trooper Brinkerhoff appears to have been killed during an extremely intense firefight that occurred inside the Margaretville home", Felton said.
Tpr. Richard Mattson of Dutchess County, another member of the MRT accompanying Brinkerhoff during a search of the house, was shot in the upper left arm, a round said to have been fired by Trim. He is in serious but stable condition at the Albany Medical Center.
Brinkerhoff was wearing a Kevlar helmet when he was shot in the back of the head.
"The situation in Margaretville on Wednesday was among the most difficult imaginable for law enforcement. Senior field commanders and a highly-trained MRT team responded and their bravery should be apparent to all", Gov. Eliot Spitzer said in a statement late Friday.
"However, a tragedy occurred and State Police are now investigating the exact circumstances of Trooper Brinkerhoff's death. We are committed to a thorough investigation and to full disclosure of the findings as soon as possible.
"In the meantime, nothing should detract from Trooper Brinkerhoff's honor and dedication to duty, or that of his fellow MRT team members. When asked to confront a heavily-armed man intent on causing harm to others, they acted decisively to protect the rest of the community. We owe this fallen trooper and his colleagues a full appraisal of the facts as well as our continuing respect and gratitude".
Brinkerhoff and Mattson were shot as they stormed the farmhouse about 8:45 a.m. Wednesday. Police had found the stolen van that Trim had been driving, abandoned on a back road near Margaretville. As police were setting up roadblocks, a burglar alarm was received from the farmhouse and the Mobile Response Team moved in.
Trim, who was suspected of having shot at Trooper Matthew Gomboski during a traffic stop on Tuesday, was found dead in the house late Wednesday night after a fire had raged through the structure, beginning about 6 p.m. shortly after tear gas canisters were fired into the wooden frame house following a nine hour standoff. Helicopters had circled the house most of the day and the house was surrounded by snipers and armored vehicles.
Felton said it is believed that the fire which quickly consumed the house was started by one of the tear gas rounds.
Trim was found slumped in a doorway on the second floor, holding a rifle. He had been shot once in the face and twice in the chest and Felton said it is believed he died instantaneously.
"In a firefight such as this, and our members are highly trained, what it appears happened here is that Trooper Brinkerhoff was struck in the chest and was knocked back," Felton said. "Other members came to his aid and started to return fire at the shooter. At some point Trooper Brinkerhoff ended up getting hit by a round. Common? No. They train for that. This was a very volatile situation."
Felton said something went "very wrong" and promised a complete investigation. Other MRT members pulled Brinkerhoff and Mattson from the house. Felton said that nothing can change the dedication of the highly trained MRT team. He said Brinkerhoff went into the home as a hero and left as a hero.
At about 11:50 a.m., there had been another exchange of gunfire and police believe that Trim may have been wounded or killed at this time. Mid-afternoon, state police had sent a robot with an electric eye into the house but due to the layout of the house, the robot was unable to check one of the rooms. There was no further gunfire from Trim or movement and about 5:50 p.m., police shot tear gas into the house in an effort to flush him out.
Within minutes, the left side of the house erupted in flames and within an hour, the entire structure, owned by a Robert Chamberlain, a retired New Jersey police officer and his family and used as a weekend home, had virtually been destroyed.
Brinkerhoff's funeral will be held Wednesday, May 2 at 11 a.m. in the Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 85 Elm St., Delmar. Calling hours will be Monday and Tuesday, April 30 and May 1 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at W.C. Brady's Sons Funeral Home, 97 Mansion St., Coxsackie.
Interment will immediately follow the funeral in St. Mary's Cemetery on Route 385, just outside the village of Coxsackie.
The New York State Trooper Foundation has established a Trust Fund at Trustco Bank for Isabella Grace Brinkerhoff, the slain trooper's 7-month old daughter.
Donations to the Isabella Grace Brinkerhoff Trust can be made at any Trustco Bank branch or by mailing your check to New York State Trooper Foundation, 3 Airport Park Boulevard, Latham, NY 12110. Checks should be made payable to the Isabella Grace Brinkerhoff Trust.
A second fund for the entire Brinkerhoff family as been established at SEFCU in Albany. Checks should be made out to the Brinkerhoff Memorial fund, and can be mailed to: SEFCU 700 Patroon Circle Boulevard Albany, NY 12206.
Brinkerhoff is the third trooper to be shot and killed in the line of duty since March 2006.
Last August, during the state's largest manhunt ever, Trooper Joseph Longobardo, also a member of the State Police's Mobile Response Team, was killed and Trooper Donald Baker shot by Ralph "Bucky" Phillips. Phillips, 44, had escaped from the Erie County Jail last April and on June 10, during a traffic stop in Chemung County while he was driving a stolen vehicle, Phillips shot Trooper Sean Brown. Brown recovered from his injuries and has returned to duty.
Brinkerhoff was involved in the massive manhunt for Phillips. 4-27-07
© 2007 North
Country Gazette
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