(PA) Two deputies killed serving warrant

[Steve in PA]

The deputies names are Christopher Burgent and Michael Van Kuren. I met and trained with Van Kuren at a NRA LEO Patrol Rifle Instructor Course last year. My sympathies go out to both families.

A massive manhunt continued Wednesday evening after two sheriff's deputies from Bradford County were shot and killed. The search includes state troopers from Pennsylvania and New York, as well as local police departments. Officers are searching on the ground and in the air.

Late Wednesday night, police identified the deputies as Michael VanKuren, 36, from Warren Center, and Christopher M. Burgert, 30, from Sayre. Both men were married and had children. VanKuren was the department's K-9 officer. Burgert was the department's drug investigator. He was also an Air Force Reservist and had just come off active duty last year.

State police confirm the deputies were serving a warrant at a home near the Briggs Junk Yard in Wells Township when they were shot. Wells Township is about 15 miles north of Troy. Three people were in the home at the time, one took off. One called for help. Police are questioning the two who remained at the home.

State police said they are now looking for two men, Dustin Briggs and his friend, Jacob White, who may be traveling with Briggs. Police said Briggs is the man who shot the deputies. He is a convicted felon, and police say he should be considered armed and dangerous.

"The suspect is known to local officers up here. Different sheriff's offices are familiar with him. Some offenses are drug related and there may have been a weapons charged in the past. He's known to most officers in the area," said PSP spokesman, Trooper Tom Kelly.

"Whenever officers are down it affects a lot of people. We all can relate to it and everybody who is in the area right now wants to find this individual," said Trooper Kelly.

A state police spokesman said they are searching for at least three vehicles: a red or burgundy Chevrolet Cavalier; a blue and silver S-10 Chevrolet Blazer and a 1980's gray full-sized Blazer.

Police with assault rifles were stopping cars along Route 14 just north of Troy Wednesday afternoon into the evening. Officers patrolled the area with their guns drawn in the Columbia Crossroads area of Bradford County and in New York state. People in the area are warned to stay indoors and keep windows and doors locked.

If anyone sees Dustin Briggs, they are asked to call the command center in Bradford County. The number is (570) 596-2425. Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers is offering a $2,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.


Michael A. Van Kuren
Christopher Burgent
Bradford County Sheriff's Office
301 Main Street
Towanda, PA 18848
(570)265-1701

 

[M1911Owner]

So, I didn't see from the story whether this was a case of, "Deputies came to the door, knocked, identified themselves, and BGs came out shooting", or, "Wearing black vests and black ski masks, broke down the front door and charged in brandishing weapons, whereupon the terrified occupants shot the intruders."

In either case, my sympathies to the families.

 

[atek3]

more info please.

atek3

 

[tbz]

http://www.the-leader.com/articles/2004/04/01/local_news/local01.txt

Suspect sought after 2 deputies shot dead
By Les Williams



Members of the Chemung County Sheriff Department's SWAT team get their weapons ready before the search is launched. Jim Gill | The Leader
WELLS TOWNSHIP, PA. | More than 100 law enforcement officials searched into the night for a man suspected of killing two Bradford County Sheriff's deputies Wednesday.

Dustin F. Briggs, 27, allegedly shot and killed two deputies when they tried to serve him with an arrest warrant from Bradford County for failing to appear at a hearing.

Briggs is no stranger to the legal system, both in Pennsylvania and New York.

"He's well-known to law enforcement all throughout this area," said Pennsylvania State Trooper Thomas R. Kelly. "He's never been an easy arrest."


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Deputies Michael VanKuren, 36, of Warren Center, and Christopher M. Burgert, 30, of Sayre, were killed in the dirt driveway of Briggs' residence on Congdon Road in Wells Township, located about 10 miles southwest of Elmira, N.Y.

Both were wearing bullet-resistant vests.

Briggs and two relatives were in the residence when the deputies arrived.

But, "they never made it inside," Kelly said.

Briggs is described at 6-feet, 4-inches tall and weighing nearly 270 pounds. He is an ex-convict and was described by dispatch reports as armed and extremely dangerous. Briggs may be carrying a service revolver taken from one of the dead deputies.

He spent 26 months in a New York state prison in Watertown, N.Y. for third-degree criminal possession of a weapon. He was released in December, 2000.

Authorities were also searching for Jacob White, 29, a friend of Briggs. It was not known Wednesday night what role, if any, White may have played in the killings.

Late Wednesday, April Harris, 21, who is believed to be Briggs' girlfriend, surrendered to Towanda State Police on unrelated charges. She was transported to the South Creek Fire Department where authorities had set up a command center earlier in the day.

Police were alerted to the shootings late Wednesday morning when one of Briggs' relatives called 911 after hearing gunshots. The emergency call was received between 11:30 a.m. and noon, authorities said.

Authorities from local, county and state police agencies from New York and Pennsylvania, along with federal agents, converged on the rural home surrounded by woods with a family-owned junkyard nearby.

A 1-mile perimeter around the property was quickly established and police set up roadblocks along the State Route 14 artery and various off roads. Cars as far north as Southport, N.Y. were checked by police.

Police searched the area on foot and with the use of all-terrain vehicles and helicopters.

At least one friend of the Briggs' family said he doesn't believe the hunt with Briggs being taken alive.

"I'll be surprised if he walks out of here," said Lyle Voorhees. "He'll shoot them, I know that."

Several police bulletins were dispatched during the day involving vehicles Briggs may have had access to. They included a full-size gray sports utility vehicle, a Chevrolet S-10 pickup, a red Chevrolet Cavalier and a green Pontiac Grand Prix. No vehicle registrations or license plate numbers were given out.

During the day, police dealt with a number of false sightings.

Officers were dispatched to a tan house in the area where someone had seen two men park a red Chevy Cavalier which was similar to a description of a vehicle being sought. No evidence of the suspects were found.

As night fell Wednesday, police were dispatched to a fire station in Ridgebury on a report of a man holding police at gunpoint. Some 30 officers responded, but the incident was not be related to the killings.

The massive amounts of media and law enforcement made it difficult for residents to enter their homes.

"It's shocking. We left for work this morning and can't get into our home," said one neighbor.

Schools in Elmira, Elmira Heights, Horseheads and SCT BOCES were in a state of lockdown throughout the afternoon. Bus service was canceled and walkers were not allowed to leave school.

"Parents are picking kids up. It's on TV. Radios are announcing it and parents are being called. They can come in with ID and get their children," Laura Sherwood, Elmira schools superintendent, said. "We're in no hurry. They're safe. Staff is with them. It's very orderly."

Sherwood said school officials decided to take the precaution after learning of the situation.

"When I talked with the state police at the command post, he wouldn't make a recommendation but he said the situation was that there was an armed and dangerous person who had killed two people and they didn't know where he was. That's what we based our decision on."

Sherwood said school officials would communicate further with police and confer Wednesday evening to determine whether children should attend school today. Any cancellations or delays will be announced on television and radio.

State police are asking for any information or tips be directed to the South Creek command center by calling 570-596-2425.

 

[Steve in PA]

No black masks.......no black vests.........just two deputies doing their job. They were not shot by the homeowner because he thought someone was breaking into his house. So take your JBT mentality and stick it where the sun doesn't shine.

I knew one of the deputies who was shot and killed, and he was a good LEO.



Manhunt spreads for murderer of deputies: 2 die in Bradford County shootout

By: Dan Amidon, C.J. Marshall and Charles Schillinger, Times-Shamrock Newspapers 04/01/2004

MOSHERVILLE, Bradford County - An intense search was under way late Wednesday night for a suspect wanted for the killing of two Bradford County sheriff's deputies earlier in the day.


Bradford County Sheriff Steve Evans identified the slain deputies as Michael VanKuren and Chris Burgert.

He said they were killed while attempting to serve a warrant at a private residence on Congdon Road in Wells Township around 11:15 a.m.
The shooting triggered a massive manhunt throughout Bradford County, as authorities searched for Dustin Briggs.

Briggs, 27, of Gillett was reported as one of three at the scene when the shooting occurred. Authorities said he fled.

Evans said that VanKuren, 36, from Warren Center, was married with two teenage daughters, and had 10 years in with the sheriff's department.
Burgert, 30, of Sayre, had been with the force for six years, Evans said, and is survived by a wife and infant son.

Both were wearing bulletproof vests when they were killed, Evans reported.

The sheriff also reported that authorities are searching for another suspect in the case in relation to a methamphetamine warrant. Evans would not release the name of the person.

According to state Trooper Tom Kelly, who is serving a liaison at the command center at the South Creek Fire Hall, both men were shot and killed in the driveway of the residence, which is owned by Arlan Briggs, father of Dustin Briggs. After the shooting, someone in the house dialed 911, Kelly reported.

Burgert and VanKuren were found dead in the driveway between 11:20 and 11:30 a.m., Kelly said.
Kelly also reported that Briggs has had previous violent confrontations with the police.

"Briggs is not afraid of authority in any way shape or form," Kelly said.
Briggs has a criminal history in New York State and Pennsylvania, Kelly said.
Dustin Briggs allegedly sold two ounces of methamphetamine to Jacob White, 29, last July at Briggs Junkyard owned by Arlan Briggs in Gillett, according to an affidavit filed in District Justice Jonathan Wilcox Troy court by the sheriff's department. White told deputies that he, Briggs, and Robert Jordan cleaned up items used to manufacture of methamphetamine at the junkyard, according to the affidavit.

Authorities were also searching for White, but they would not confirm or deny his presence at the scene, Kelly reported. White was being sought in the hopes that he will provide information leading to Briggs, Kelly said.
As of late Wednesday, authorities were searching throughout the area for associates of Dustin Briggs, conducting house-to-house searches, Kelly said.

Kelly reported that more than 100 law enforcement officials - including officers from the FBI and the ATF - participated in the manhunt.
Federal officers were called in because of the incident occurred so close to the New York border. K-9 units were also pressed into serving earlier and the day, and are now on stand-by status.

Authorities were searching the area for four vehicles, Kelly reported. The first is a red Chevrolet Cavalier, the second a gray full-sized Chevrolet Blazer, the third is a silver and blue S-10 Blazer, and the fourth a tan Ford Explorer.

Kelly said that Dustin Briggs had access to all the vehicles, but it is uncertain if he is driving any of them.

A number of people were being interviewed in the case, including April Harris, who is Dustin Briggs' girlfriend, Kelly reported. Harris turned herself in voluntarily to the authorities, and was being questioned at the command center on Wednesday.

Kelly also said a Tip Line has been set up at the command center. Anyone with information on the case may call (570)-596-2425.
State police, the sheriff's department, and other local law enforcement officials set up roadblocks throughout the area in an attempt to take Briggs into custody Wednesday.

New York State troopers and agents from the Chemung County Sheriff's Department also staffed roadblocks along the northern border, asking motorists to open their trucks, and, in some cases, checking the cargo areas of enclosed trucks.

At the Pennsylvania-New York border in Ridgebury, state troopers dressed in camouflage and armed with assault rifles hunted the woods in the surrounding area.

Kimberly Bilbrey, an employee at the Stateline Mart, 9 Main St., Wellsburg, N.Y., said police starting arriving around 6 p.m. At about 7 p.m., she said a mass of authorities began to move into the vicinity.

Units ranged from Pennsylvania and New York state troopers to agents donned in Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearm jackets and a K-9 unit from Canton Borough.

"I've been in this area my whole life - I've never seen anything like this," Bilbrey said.

Police at the scene on the state line would not comment on the situation.
A minor accident that occurred in Ridgebury was not related, one officer reported.

Tiffany Brock, who was a classmate of Dustin Briggs, said she was shocked when Mark Briggs, a close relative to Dustin, approached her house and said his truck had broken down.

"A friend had just called me and told me what happened," Tiffany Brock said about the two deputies who were shot. "And then Mark Briggs showed up at the house - I was scared half to death."

Tiffany Brock said authorities arrived soon afterwards. Police on scene at their residence and with weapons drawn, searched the Brock storage area which had been left open, but no one was found.

The Brocks live approximately one mile south of the Briggs residence, where it was reported the deputies were shot.

"I know the roads and woods in this area pretty well," said Devon Brock, Tiffany's father. "But it doesn't compare to Dustin - to all of the Briggs for that matter."

Mr. Brock said Dustin and his family are avid hunters and knew the trails throughout the area from riding four-wheelers.

"On a four-wheeler, you can get on a trail and head all the way to Troy," Mr. Brock said.

The killings set off shock waves throughout Bradford County Wednesday as news of the two men's deaths reverberated throughout the community.
VanKuren and Burgert worked in the past for the Towanda Police Department, according to Chief Frank Lindsey.

Lindsey said he considered VanKuren and Berger "my best friends."
"They were excellent, excellent police officers, and they were excellent people," Lindsey said.

The flags at the top of the courthouse were ordered lowered to half-staff by the Bradford County commissioners in honor of the memory of the VanKuren and Burgert.

"All I can say it is just profound sadness and heavy hearts, and our thoughts go to the families, and the Bradford County Sheriff's office," said Bradford County Commissioner Nancy Schrader when asked about the situation.

"These people had daily dealings with the courthouse, and all the offices. It's just so hard to believe. Two people doing their job and always doing it well, and somebody comes and does something like this.

"I have profound sympathy for the family. It's just a very, very sad day in Bradford County, that two fine gentlemen, who were doing their job and doing it well, could lose their lives because of the vicious acts of others."
"I'm flat-out shocked," said Bradford County Commissioner Doug McLinko about the news. "I knew Mike Van Kuren well. He was a very close friend. He came out to the restaurant. Mike was an animal lover, like my wife. Chris Burgert was a great guy, too. I'm praying for their families. The whole sheriff's department is made up of excellent people. It's just terrible - it's absolutely heartbreaking."

The mood at the courthouse was subdued Wednesday, with many people on the main floor crying. A number of officers from the county probation department were spotted in the front foyer, armed with handguns and carrying radios, watching people as they entered and left the courthouse.
"The probation department, at the request of Judge (Jeffrey) Smith, offered its services in any capacity to provided needed security at the courthouse," explained Tom Schuster, director of the Bradford County Probation Department. Schuster also said that probation officers carrying sidearms were also wearing body armor for the duration of the event.

Deputies gunned down

 

[kbr80]

No black masks.......no black vests.........just two deputies doing their job. They were not shot by the homeowner because he thought someone was breaking into his house. So take your JBT mentality and stick it where the sun doesn't shine.

Well, the above mentioned black masks and vests, no knocks do happen, from time to time.

My respects to the families and friends.

 

[M1911Owner]

Steve in PA,

Thank you for clarifying what happened. I see that the way I worded my question is rather insensitive--I apologize for that. I hope that they catch the guy that did it, and that he gets what's coming to him.

Another Steve, in another P.A.

 

[Steve in PA]

M1911Owner: All is forgiven. And they caught the guy today.

Accused Killer Captured in Bradford County

UPDATED: 10:45 p.m.

The man accused of killing two sheriff's deputies in Bradford County is behind bars tonight. Dustin Briggs was arraigned in Troy and then taken to the Bradford County Prison.

The manhunt for Briggs ended Thursday evening near Gillett. Police swarmed down on a wooded area not far from the house where two sheriff's deputies were shot to death Wednesday morning. Police said the break in the case came when they received a call from a person who saw Briggs walking in a wooded area not far from his home. The two talked, then the man went home and called investigators. Officers converged on that area and arrested Briggs.

Earlier Thursday, Briggs' friend, Jacob White, was found near Tunkhannock. Just before 6:00 Thursday, White told Newswatch 16 he had nothing to do with the shooting deaths of the two deputies. He was led out of the state police barracks in Tunkhannock in handcuffs. He faces drug charges stemming from an incident last year. He is not charged in connection with the killings.

Roadblocks were set up all around the area in Bradford County and into New York state. The shooting happened 15 miles north of Troy, in Wells Township, when the deputies were trying to serve a warrant.

Police believe Dustin Briggs, 27, was the shooter. Authorities said the deputies were trying to serve him with a warrant for not showing up for a court date.

The two deputies killed were Deputy Christopher Burgert, 30, of Sayre, and Deputy Michael Van Kuren, 36, of Warren Center. Burgert was the department's drug investigator. He was also an Air Force reservist. Van Kuren was the department's k-9 officer. Both men were married with children.

"We were hoping to find them together. They weren't together, but through investigative techniques, we're trying to find what he can give us on his friend Dustin," said PSP Trooper Tom Kelly Thursday afternoon. He broke the news of Jacob White's apprehension to reporters around 3:00 Thursday afternoon. He was arrested on charges he ran a methamphetamine lab.

All day, there had been a flurry of investigators in and out of the command post in the village of Fassett. Special police response teams showed up from all over northeastern and central Pennsylvania.

"As a law enforcement officer, as a trooper, when you get tired, you just dig deeper and when you know that you're searching for a guy that just shot two of your fellow officers, that little bit is enough to ignite you to keep going. So the tiredness and the weather, that doesn't even matter to us," said Trooper Kelly.

Officers stopped every driver on the New York state line. At the command post the came and went in cruisers, on all terrain vehicles and with search dogs.

Searchers fanned out in a 60 mile radius from the crime scene, even into New York. Special operations officers from both states were in and out of the command post. Troopers said they'll do whatever it takes to find Briggs and him to justice.

While searching for Briggs and White, investigators made another arrest.

"Basically (we) siezed and confiscated one meth lab that was being manufactured locally. There's another one in question, that's going to be seized, said Kelly.

State police confirmed two other people were in custody last night. Police said were on the property when shots were fired. We know one of them dialed 911 for help. They have since been released.

 

[clange]

Well, the above mentioned black masks and vests, no knocks do happen, from time to time.

Well i dont think many are conducted by only two officers. If they knew this guy was dangerous they could have handled the situation better. Hindsight is 20/20 though.

Glad they caught him. Pity our legal system sucks so bad that it will probably be 14 years until they can fry him (if at all).

 

[clubsoda22]

Well, the above mentioned black masks and vests, no knocks do happen, from time to time.

Even if they did bust down the door in a no-knock, it wouldn't have made a difference, this was not an innocent homeowner. for one, the guy can't legally own a gun, and most importantly, if you've done something wrong and guys bust in yelling police, you kinda don't have an excuse not to believe them. I'm inclined to agree with steve here.

 

[SirPorl]

Horrible thing

This unfortunately happened about 20 miles from my house. They did finally catch the scumbag. They should have just saved everyone a lot of time, money, and effort by shooting him. From what has been heard up here the two officers were shot when they excited their vehicle. This area is getting pretty bad with the meth labs springing up everywhere. Terrible, terrible thing.

SirPorl

 

[PATH]

I am glad they caught him. Hopefully a jury will vote to put him down like the rabid animal that he is.

My prayers and condolences go out to the families of those officers.

 

[artherd]

No black masks.......no black vests.........just two deputies doing their job. They were not shot by the homeowner because he thought someone was breaking into his house. So take your JBT mentality and stick it where the sun doesn't shine.

100% behind you Steve.

This is hardly a JBT type of thing. Just two good officers shot in the line of duty, trying to keep scum bags like this away from our famalies.

I am amazed he was brought in alive. I would be hard pressed not to see a 'furative movement' and shoot the SOB in the face.

I do wonder how the heck he shot two officers wearing body armor in the driveway? I wish a full SWAT team had hit the house instead.

 

[RealGun]

What weapon was used

and will be demonized. Tell me it wasn't an AR.

 

[Steve in PA]

They haven't mentioned a firearm, but I'm pretty sure its going to be a rifle.

As far as it being an AR.........I don't know. The are up there is in the boonies and everyone (majority) is a hunter. It might turn out to be a bolt action .30/06 hunting rifle.

 

[Dain Bramage]

The fact that they haven't mentioned it probably means the weapon was not an eeevil assault-type rifle.

 

[dinosaur]

I think I'm going to the funerals. If I do I can probably find out unless someone else posts it first.

 

[Steve in PA]

This is unconfirmed, but I spoke with a LEO friend today about the shooting. He's from the area where it happened. It appears that both deputies where shot in the head, from behind with a shotgun. Apparently the __________ (fill in the blank) came from behind or around something and shot both of them.

As soon as I find out more I'll post it.

 

[SirPorl]

HMM

I have heard uncomfirmed reports that one of the deputies was shot in the head and the other one was hit in the leg and bleed to death. Just what I have heard unofficially. I haven't heard anything about what type of weapon was used to commit these barbaric acts though.

SirPorl

 

[SirPorl]

UPDATED: 6:20 p.m.

Police in Bradford County have the man they say shot and killed two deputies but the search for evidence continues. There's word Friday of new information about the double murder. Now that the man wanted for the killing is locked up, people in Bradford County said they're breathing easier.

State troopers said they are relieved that Dustin Briggs is behind bars but that doesn't mean their work is done Officers from all over northeastern and central Pennsylvania combed fields and searched streams for evidence Friday. They were looking for evidence that Briggs may have left behind while he fled authorities.

As he was led into state police barracks in Towanda Thursday night, Briggs denied shooting Deputies Michael VanKuren and Christopher Burgert Wednesday morning. He's charged with murdering the two deputies as they tried to serve a warrant. The shootings sparked a huge manhunt.

Troopers said Briggs was found in a wooded area about three miles from the crime scene. Acting on a tip, troopers investigated and found Briggs near a stream bed, hiding near a metal gate. State police focused the search near a farm from where the tip came. Troopers used a k-9 dog. He's trained to find guns, bullets or anything with gunpowder. Officers hope he will find a gun Briggs could have carried while he was on run.

Court papers showed Briggs had a sawed-off shotgun. State police now confirm that shotgun was not the murder weapon. They're looking for a handgun.

Troopers said Briggs had access to more than a dozen guns at his home in Wells Township. That's about 15 miles north of Troy. They won't say if any guns are missing from the home or what kind the murder weapon is.

Briggs was found less than three miles from the police command post along Route 14. It's where more than 100 officers from Pennsylvania and New York operated for more than 30 hours, searching for Briggs.

People living in Gillett talked Friday about the killings so close to their homes. They said they feel safer knowing Briggs is no longer a danger. "We were kind of keeping watch out the windows a little bit because we didn't know where he was," said Mary Hammond of East Troy Township.

"For the communities sake, so that we can get back to our lives, we don't have to worry about somebody out there who's going to hurt our kids or something. Who knows what he could have done?" said April Mott of South Creek Township.

Mott has young children and does a lot of traveling in the area where police were searching for Briggs. "It was scary for me. I come from work at midnight and I got stopped four times before I could make it to my house," she said.

 

[SirPorl]

Looks like a handgun was used.

SirPorl

Above post was taken from WNEP 16 out of Scranton/Wilkes-barre

 

[Steve in PA]

I was watching another news station and didn't catch that. Like I said, my info was unconfirmed.

 

[SirPorl]

Sorry man

Steve in Pa,

I didn't mean to sound as if I am master-know-it-all. I posted the the udpate as soon as I read it online. Good information being provided. I still am amazed that something that you see more in big city america happened right here in Bradford County. Terrible, horrible thing no matter where it happens.

SirPorl

 

[Steve in PA]

SP: Don't worry about it, I didn't take it that way.

Like I said, not much info about the actual shooting has been coming out. The LEO I talked with is friends with a dispatcher who was working that day. At first they had mentioned a shotgun, like in the posting above. Perhaps thats where he/she got the gun info.