Sandy MaloneCheektowaga, NY – A Cheektowaga police officer was struck and seriously injured by a fleeing vehicle while he was helping Depew police officers end a stolen vehicle pursuit on Monday morning.
Police said the incident occurred at about 4:30 a.m. on Feb. 6 when Cheektowaga Police Officer Troy Blackchief was deploying stop sticks on Union Road at Route 33 in an attempt to put an end to the pursuit, WIVB reported.
Officials said at an early morning press briefing that the pursuit involved two vehicles, one of which had been stolen from the Penora Avenue area in Depew.
The suspect vehicle that struck Officer Blackchief did not stop after it hit the law enforcement officer, WIVB reported.
The wounded hero was transported to Erie County Medical Center in critical condition and taken into surgery, the Buffalo News reported.
Officials have not yet released any specific details about the officer’s medical status.
The stolen vehicle was recovered a short time later at a gas station on Kensington Avenue, but the suspects have not yet been apprehended, the Buffalo News reported.
Police are searching for a second vehicle – a maroon 2019 Jeep Cherokee with license plate KKS5300 – that investigators believe was involved in the incident, WIVB reported.
Here's an image of the vehicle police are looking for this morning related to the hit and run that injured Cheektowaga Police Officer Troy Blackchief:
Plate reads KKS-5300.
Call 716-686-7461 with info or text confidentially to 847-411.@SPECNews1BUF pic.twitter.com/543Lyd4RXG
— Brianne Roesser (@SPECNewsBrianne) February 6, 2023
Cheektowaga Police Chief Brian Gould identified the wounded hero at a press briefing and said Officer Blackchief is a 17-year veteran of the police force, the Buffalo News reported.
UPDATE: Cheektowaga Police Chief Brian Gould says Officer Troy Blackchief is undergoing surgery at ECMC after a hit and run around 4:15am near Union Rd and the 33.
He was attempting to place stop sticks during a pursuit. @SPECNews1BUF pic.twitter.com/NECkSZukGj
— Brianne Roesser (@SPECNewsBrianne) February 6, 2023
BREAKING: We're expecting to get more information about the Cheektowaga police officer hit on Union Road at the 33. That area has been closed all morning.
Police will address the media at 9 a.m.
We will carry that information LIVE on @news4buffalo.— Abby Fridmann (@abbyfridmannTV) February 6, 2023
Cheektowaga Police officer struck by fleeing car. That's why Union Road at the 33 has been closed since early this morning. @trafficcommand pic.twitter.com/jZen7mfTm1
— WBEN NewsRadio 930AM (@WBEN) February 6, 2023
Our thoughts and prayers are with officer Blackchief and his family. We are here for anything you may need. Our prayers to the community and Cheektowaga Police Department pic.twitter.com/s0rB0cpTOH
— DHS First Responders Club (@DHS_FRC) February 6, 2023
This is a developing story and we will keep you updated. For all of our updates, follow us on Facebook and go to your news feed preferences under your settings, then select that you want to see more of The Police Tribune’s posts in your news feed. Otherwise, Facebook may not show you updates.
Holly Matkin
