Four Members Aid in “Bucky” Phillips Capture

A five-month manhunt ended September 8th in Warren County. Escaped felon Ralph "Bucky" Phillips was apprehended by law enforcement officials after a daylong chase between Pennsylvania and New York. Members of Local 2446, the Warren County Sheriff’s Department, were instrumental in the capture.

Deputies Dan Michaels and Kimio Nelson spotted the stolen car at around 2:00pm, and gave chase. After crashing the vehicle, Phillips ran into the woods, where he managed to elude authorities for the next 18 hours. With daylight fading and time running out, Deputy John Zingione spotted Phillips through binoculars at the edge of a cornfield. He alerted other law enforcement personnel, and Phillips surrendered approximately 40 minutes later.

Deputies Keith Sorensen, Robert Hukill, and Dennis Kelly were also on the scene and assisted with the capture.

Staff Representative Peggy Hoak emphasized that law enforcement is a high-risk profession, even in small communities. “Every day, these husbands, fathers, and sons quietly keep our cities and towns safe,” said Hoak.

(Top) Deputy John Zingione; (bottom, left

to right) Deputies Kimio Nelson, Keith Sorensen, and Dan Michaels