Vietnam Vet credits detective for help in police standoff

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Veteran credits detective for help in standoff
"All of a sudden I was out on the Thruway and I had no control of the situation," said Gilchriese.
James Gilchriese has spent the past five months in jail after causing an armed standoff that closed the river section of the Thruway for hours back in May.

His friend Thomas Magee said, "The guy on the Thruway is not the Jim Gilchriese I know."
Detective Teague was the one who spent an hour on the phone with Gilchriese trying to keep him calm and to put his gun down.
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More on veteran credits detective for help in standoff
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - A big turn of events Friday surrounding the man who held police at bay along the 190 and put a neighborhood under siege for hours earlier this year.

A Judge has given James Gilchriese a second chance for his plea on a felony weapons charge. Gilchriese apologized Friday, thanked police, and one detective in particular.

"I don't know. All of a sudden I was out on the Thruway and I had no control of the situation," said Gilchriese.

James Gilchriese has spent the past five months in jail after causing an armed standoff that closed the river section of the Thruway for hours back in May.

He was sentenced Friday to time served, and five years probation. The judge took into account the fact that he's 66, has no record of violence, and is very active with Vietnam veterans groups where he lives in Florida.

His friend Thomas Magee said, "The guy on the Thruway is not the Jim Gilchriese I know."
Gilchriese said he had been drinking, and was fighting with his girlfriend. "I had somewhat of a flashback to Vietnam but I can't use that as an excuse."

Detective Gary Teague from Buffalo Police said, "There were times when he'd talk about Vietnam. He said he was a veteran, he was trained in firearms and things of that nature."
Detective Teague was the one who spent an hour on the phone with Gilchriese trying to keep him calm and to put his gun down.

"And him I will never forget," said Gilchriese.

Gilchriese credits him for keeping it under control. "Absolutely, it was him. I would only talk to him," as Teague's respond was, "I'm pleased. Not very often people really thank us for what we do."

He adds, "It wasn't just me alone. It was a collaborative effort." Gilchriese could've received up to a seven-year sentence.

Please read the attached story to learn about how the New York State Police Thruway division was involved in the standoff.
Story by George Richert, WIVB
click links for all of this and learn what law enforcement officers across the nation need to understand to save more lives of these veterans.