Officer James Shields was killed in an automobile accident while attempting to locate a robbery suspect at 2014 hours.
Officers were informed that the suspect had gotten onto a bus and Officer Shields and his partner were attempting to catch up to the bus. They were responding with lights and siren upon entering the intersection at Delaware and Bryant when another vehicle turned in front of them. Officer Shields swerved to avoid the car but struck a tree. He suffered severe injuries and was transported to a local hospital where he died. His partner was also injured in the crash.
Officers later determined that the store clerks and two others staged the $600 robbery and split the money. They were all arrested.
In December 2004, one suspect was shot and killed by officers from the Niagara Falls Police Department after he opened fire on them with a shotgun.
Officer Shields had been a member of the Buffalo Police Department for 7 years, and was assigned to D-District. He is survived by his two sons.
