NYS Trooper Shot Upstate 6-19-07

[Guest ab2se]

From WWNY TV 7 Watertown NY

Update: Trooper Killed Man With Single Shot

Tuesday, June 19, 2007, 1:28pm

Acting State Police Superintendent Preston Felton says a trooper who was shot while investigating a domestic dispute killed her assailant with a single shot from her service weapon as he ran at other officers.

The trooper, Amanda Reif, 29, is listed in serious condition with a shoulder wound at Fletcher Allen Medical Center in Burlington, Vermont.

Felton said Reif responded to a 9-1-1 call about a domestic disturbance around 4:45 this afternoon along Route 56 between Potsdam and Massena.

She was confronted by 45-year-old Steven McUmber. Felton said McUmber fired one or two shots from a rifle or shotgun. He said two weapons were recovered from the scene.

(Editor's note: in earlier versions of this story, 'McUmber' was spelled 'McCumber.')

"It was very shortly after arriving on the scene that she was fired upon from the residence," said troop B commander Major Richard Smith Jr.

Felton says McUmber went back into the house, came out, and was met by other troopers and local police in the driveway. When he ran at them, Felton says, Reif shot and killed him. Felton says McUmber apparently had a long criminal history.

Felton didn't have information about other parties involved in the domestic disturbance.

Felton says Reif's husband, parents, and other relatives are at the hospital with her. He said she has a 7-month-old baby boy.

"It doesn't appear the injuries Trooper Reif sustained were life threatening," said Major Smith.

Two projectiles were found in Reif's shoulder, but it was unclear if it was one shot that fragmented.

Several law enforcement agencies remained on the scene of the shooting Monday night.

Reif is a five year veteran of the state police.

Route 56 remained closed Monday night.

[ny10570 745]

Way to go Trooper Reif. Great job and get well soon.

[Guest paramedico987]

It's so great to hear stories like this... all too often when things like this make the new we are losing another of our own.

Job well done and our hopes for a speedy recovery!

[Guest pentax02839]

well I hope she makes a very speedy recovery.this some goodnews.

[RWC130 594]

I wish Trooper Reif a speedy recovery!

[Guest ab2se]

From WWNY TV Watertown NY

State Police Rule Trooper's Case Was Justifiable Homicide

Thursday, June 21, 2007, 1:00pm

State police investigators said Trooper Amanda Reif was justified in killing a Potsdam man during a shootout on Monday.

"All evidence obtained during the course of the investigation indicates this was a justifiable homicide," police stated in a news release.

Trooper Reif responded to a domestic dispute complaint at the Route 56 home of Steven McUmber.

According to police, McUmber shot Trooper Reif in the left shoulder as she approached the home.

Trooper Reif shot him with her .45 Glock pistol, which was issued to troopers at the beginning of the year.

An autopsy determined that McUmber died of a hemorrhage due to a perforated right lung from a gunshot wound.

State police said Trooper Reif will be transferred from Fletcher Allen Medical Center in Vermont to Canton-Potsdam Hospital in the next few days.

According to records, 45 year old Steven McUmber had a criminal history spanning the last 20 years.

McUmber was listed on the New York State Sex Offender Registry as a Level 3 sex offender, which means he was at a high risk of committing the crime again.

It dates back to a conviction from December 1997 for first-degree attempted sexual abuse.

His victims were two girls--ages 10 and 12.

According to the registry, he was sentenced to two to four years in prison and was released in September 2005.

According to the New York State Department of Corrections, McUmber was sentenced to another state prison term in 1989 for second-degree rape.

He was released in 1992.

The St. Lawrence County Sheriff's Department confirmed McUmber was arrested in 2002 for felony Driving While Intoxicated and aggravated unlicensed operation of a vehicle.

It's not clear if State Trooper Amanda Reif knew of McUmber's history of sexual abuse crimes when she responded to the complaint at his home on Monday.