HUDSON – A hunter who shot
a state Environmental Conservation officer while hunting last November
pled guilty in Columbia County Court on Friday to a felony charge of assault.
Alan Blanchard, 55, of Gallatin, faces up to seven years in state prison
when sentenced in April in the shooting of Officer James Davey.
Davey and Lt. Liza Bobseine were on patrol that evening, investigating reports of deer poaching in the Town of Gallatin when Blanchard shot Davey in the pelvis. He underwent surgery at MidHudson Regional Hospital in Poughkeepsie, spent time in the ICU and is now undergoing extensive rehabilitation for his injuries.
Bobseine’s immediate first aid efforts are credited with saving Davey’s life.
Blanchard “is taking responsibility for his dangerous and reckless
conduct” when he shot Davey, said Environmental Conservation Commissioner
Basil Seggos.
