A New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Officer was shot, and wounded in the line of duty while investigating an illegal hunting incident. DEC Officer James Davey, and his partner Lieutenant Liza Bobseine, were investigating the activity in the Town of Gallatin in Columbia County. After being shot he was transferred to Mid-Hudson Hospital, and is now in stable condition in the Intensive Care Unit.

DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos released a statement on the incident saying,

"Lieutenant Liza Bobseine who was on patrol with Officer Davey investigating the incident is credited with saving Officer Davey's life for her quick and heroic actions in the field. Lt. Bobseine was able to quickly apply a compress to the wound while calling for support and keeping the suspects under control 1/2 mile into a field. It's clear that if it were not for her actions, officer Davey would not have survived. I commend the two officers for their courage in the line of duty and thank them for their dedicated service. Our thoughts and prayers are with the wounded officer and his family."

After an investigation it was determined that 55-year-old Alan Blanchard of Gallatin was responsible for the accidental shooting due to reckless conduct. Blanchard was arrested for Assault in the 2nd degree, a class D felony, arraigned in the Town of Livingston Court, and remanded to the Dutchess County Jail in lieu of no bail. He is scheduled to reappear in the Town of Livingston Court on Dec. 8th.

Conservation Officer Davey is a 12-year-veteran assigned to Columbia County, and his wife Nancy is a DEC Forest Ranger.

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