Mount Morris Bad Boy Injured Deputy Before Manhunt Ensued

MOUNT MORRIS – The hunt continues for Richard ‘Boo’ Henry, a local man who is known for fleeing law enforcement, after he resisted arrest and injured a Livingston County Sheriff’s Deputy who was trying to take him into custody at about 7 a.m. on Friday.

Livingston County Sheriff Thomas Dougherty said in a brief press conference near the 1 1/2 mile search area including Rte. 36 and Presbyterian Road that the morning began as a routine operation to bring a subject into custody for an alleged parole violation and the area is now saturated with roughly 70 members of regional law enforcement, including air support, K9 units, mounted patrol, and SWAT teams.

“Richard had a dirty urine test and failed to report in to parole, so two of our Deputies responded to his camp behind his mother’s house ,” said Sheriff Dougherty. “One Deputy handcuffed Henry’s hands behind his back, and he forced the Deputy into the camper in an attempt to escape, and the Deputy suffered a twisted knee which led to tendon damage. We’ve had prior dealings with him before. This is what he does, he runs from law enforcement.”

Sheriff Dougherty said that both Deputies gave chase, but since they were in a heavily wooded area on Henry’s turf, he had the advantage. Law enforcement reports are that Henry was hopping fences and obstacles to escape, and the second Deputy sustained a minor injury while jumping over a fence in pursuit.

“I don’t have any fear for the community,” said Sheriff Dougherty. “Can I say 100 percent that he’s not going to hurt anybody? No, but he’s not wanted for any violent or weapons offenses, and he is in handcuffs. Still, if the community sees anything they think is suspicious, call 911.”

The Sheriff’s Office is confident that Henry is within their search area and will be found by the heavy law enforcement presence in the area, which includes the New York State Division of Parole, Livingston County Sheriff’s Office, Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, State Police, Environmental Conservation Police, Mount Morris Police Department, Federal Marshals, Border Patrol, and Department of Homeland Security. Livingston County EMS is on stand by at the Sheriff’s mobile command center on Union Corners Road.

“I can tell you that after my little trek through the wooded area as they showed me the layout of the area, I’m pretty warm,” said Sheriff Dougherty. “Then again, he could have just hunkered down to wait it out.”

Sheriff Dougherty added that the incident in no way reflects poorly on the department of parole.

“Parole has taken some knocks lately, but I can honestly say that parole has been great to work with,” said Sheriff Dougherty. “This was a routine pick up, take into custody, take to jail scenario. Henry assaulted a Deputy and will be facing escape and assault charges.”

According to New York State records, Henry served over 2 years in prison at Willard Correctional Facility for a second-offense DWI and Aggravated Unlicensed Operation starting in 2009.

He then served at least 3 years at the Wyoming Correctional Facility for Attempted Burglary in the Second Degree starting in 2012 and released on parole in January 2015.