Escaped, Accused Cop Killer Lands on Most Wanted List

Oct. 2, 2006 — -- When alleged cop killer and escaped inmate John Parsons entered the FBI's 10 Most Wanted Fugitives List over the weekend, his chances of surviving on the run dropped precipitously, officials say.

Since the list was created in 1950, 454 of 484 fugitives have been apprehended or located, said Ernest Porter, the FBI's acting supervisor of investigative publicity.

Located means found dead, he said to ABC News.

"We're 98 years old. We've been around for a long time, and we usually catch our man," Porter said referring to the FBI.

"Or woman," he added. Seven women have made the list since its inception.

"It's added pressure," Porter said. "Not just from law enforcement, but from the general public. Someone could recognize [Parsons] right around the next bend."

The FBI contributes a minimum of $100,000 to local reward money for a 10 Most Wanted capture, Porter said. The bounty on Parsons now stands at $125,000.

While there is no specific set of criteria for addition to the Top 10 list, Porter said that killing a cop "certainly resonates within the law enforcement community.''

A vacancy on the 10 Most Wanted list opened up on Sept. 8, when Ralph "Bucky" Phillips surrendered to authorities who had tracked him to a small Pennsylvania town just over the New York border -- after more than five months on the run.

He also is accused of killing a law enforcement official, as well as wounding two others.

Parsons was added to the list on Saturday, and the Cincinnati field office of the FBI is planning a news conference at the Ross County courthouse today.

Parsons has been on the run since a bold prison escape on July 29.

"There's no question he's getting help," Ross County Sheriff Ron Nichols told ABC News.

Parsons' mother and a former work colleague were arrested in August and charged with obstruction of justice.

Fifteen other family members and associates have been subpoenaed.

Nichols said that as evidence developed he intended to arrest more of Parsons' family and friends.

"Systematically, we are going down the list and removing people that have been helping him," he said. "The people that are helping him -- he is jeopardizing their freedom."