Hudson Valley Man Jailed For Shooting Officer

A Hudson Valley man is heading for prison for shooting an officer while illegally hunting.

Alan Blanchard of Columbia County was sentenced to six months in jail and five years’ probation, reports WNYT. Blanchard was ordered to perform 100 hours of community service and paid $20,000 in restitution.

In late Nov. of 2016, Blanchard and his hunting partner, a man from Pine Plains, were hunting deer near the border of Dutchess and Columbia Counties.

New York State Environmental Police officers, lieutenant Eliza Bobseine and officer James Davey, were investigating a complaint of a reported trespass with shots fired in the area on Silvernails Road in the Town of Gallatin.

During their investigation, they found fresh tire tracks leading into a cut cornfield. While walking through the field, officer Davey was shot by Blanchard, in northern Dutchess County. There were reports that Blanchard mistook the officer for a deer.

Pine Plains Fire Department and Northern Dutchess Paramedics responded and found the officer with a gunshot wound to the lower half of his body. Blanchard and his hunting partner remained at the scene during the rescue efforts of Davey.

Davey survived the shooting.

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