Steve in PA
Member
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
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