The search for fugitive Ralph James “Bucky” Phillips has become
national.

A segment on “America’s Most Wanted” Saturday night focused on
Phillips’ escape from custody early in April and probable
involvement in the recent shooting of a New York State trooper.

Horseheads-based New York State trooper Mark O’Donnell said on
Sunday that Phillips, 43, was featured on Saturday evening’s
installment of the television program after authorities worked with
the show’s producers Thursday and Friday of last week.

“We’re still using every resource available to us,” O’Donnell
said. “We’re hoping for a break.”

Phillips’ likeness and personal information was posted during
the television program and is also now listed on the America’s Most
Wanted Web site.

Some of the most recent police reports indicate New York state
police officers searched a cabin near Arkwright, N.Y., in
Chautauqua County last week on a tip Phillips was there, but did
not find him.

Phillips – also known as Daniel Aaro and Harold Phill, according
to the America’s Most Wanted Web site – escaped from an Alden, N.Y.
correctional facility early in April, and has since been seen in
Great Valley, N.Y., Limestone, N.Y., and Bradford.

Just last week, however, police announced Phillips was now also
being sought for questioning relative to the shooting of a New York
state trooper on June 10 near Elmira, N.Y.

New York State trooper Sean Brown was shot in the abdomen as he
approached a green Mustang along the side of the road in Veteran,
N.Y., located in Chemung County, police believe had been stolen and
was being driven by Phillips. Police also think Phillips was the
shooter.

Brown was initially listed in fair condition at an Elmira
hospital.

Phillips, police said, has been in and out of trouble with the
law all his life. A convicted felon, he is considered armed and
dangerous, police said, some reports indicating Phillips has even
threatened “suicide by cop.” Brown’s shooting, police have said,
indicates Phillips’ violent tendencies are escalating.

A $25,000 dollar reward is now being offered for information
leading to Phillips’ arrest. O’Donnell said $10,000 was donated by
the Cop Shot program based in New York City, another $10,000 was
given by the New York State Police PDA union and the final $5,000
from is courtesy of the law firm that represents the union.

Police are still looking for Phillips in the woods near
Binghamton, N.Y., O’Donnell said Friday. Helicopters, land units,
K-9 units and a SWAT team have all been utilized during the search.
Phillips is believed to be on foot after stealing several vehicles,
including the Mustang. He has also apparently stolen a number of
firearms.

He is described as standing 6-feet tall, weighing 235 pounds
with black hair and brown eyes. Early descriptions of Phillips said
he wore his hair in a ponytail, but police think he may have cut it
short since his escape. At times he is shown with a beard and
mustache; as of late, police have been using a digitally-altered
photograph of Phillips in which he appears clean shaven.

Police think Phillips is currently on foot, having been
squatting at hunting camps across New York. Police think Phillips
is traveling at night and camping during the day. He is Native
American -ða member of the Seneca tribe -ðand may be hiding on an
Indian reservation.

Other possible locations, according to the Web site, include
Buffalo, N.Y., and Ohio.