KIRKWOOD, N.Y. -- A fatal exchange of gunfire that state police say could have ended a lot worse.

Trooper Timothy Conklin was patrolling in Kirkwood when he was alerted by a woman that her son had stolen her vehicle.

Just 20 minutes later, Conklin located the suspect, 30-year-old Nicholas Philhower.

Following a short chase, Phillhower pulled over and began shooting at trooper Conklin through his back windshield.

"Trooper Conklin returned fire through the windshield of his troop car as Philhower exited his vehicle and continued to advance on Trooper Conklin, firing on him," said William McEvoy, State Police Troop C Commander.

Philhower was using a military style, semi-automatic rifle.

Following a shoot-out where Conklin was struck in the arm by shrapnel, the trooper shot and killed Philhower.

Troop C commander William McEvoy says it was the result of  of years or training paying off., Philhower later approached the troop car, firing more shots at Conklin with his military style semi-automatic rifle.

Following a shoot-out where Conklin was struck in the arm by shrapnel, the trooper shot and killed Philhower.

Troop C commander William McEvoy says it was the result of years or training paying off.

“He’s a veteran trooper and this is why we train, so it becomes second nature. Our training kicks in and we can act appropriately to save our lives, and not only that, the people nearby,” said McEvoy.

McEvoy says troopers are trained to take every call seriously and there’s no such thing as a routine traffic stop.

“Mr. Philhower started firing from inside the car before trooper Conklin even knew what was going on. Right at that point in time, he’s pulling over a car that he knew was being used in an unauthorized manor with no reason that this would occur and all of a sudden his life was in jeopardy,” said McEvoy.

Trooper Conklin was released from the hospital and is expected to make a full recovery.

State route 17 was closed for several hours during the incident.