It was shortly after 1:30 p.m. Friday, and like so many thousands already, State Police headed to investigate a tip.
And this tip, proved to be the one that brought law enforcement to a showdown with escaped killer Richard Matt.
"In the Town of Duane, there was a gunshot that was fired at a camping trailer. The state police responded," Gov. Andrew Cuomo said. "They came upon a cabin; they went inside the cabin; they detected the smell of gunpowder."
A gunshot -- recently fired -- put authorities on the track on at least one escaped inmate, and they knew they were closing in.
The Customs and Border Patrol's tactical team helicoptered into the area, came upon Matt, who was armed with a 20-gauge shotgun, and ordered him to surrender.
The ensuing standoff lasted only a few tense moments.
"They verbally challenged him, told him to put up his hands, and at that time, he was shot when he didn't comply," said New York State Superintedent Joseph D'Amico.
It was a violent end to Matt's violent life.
"Mr. Matt was an escaped murderer from a state prison. Mr. Matt killed two people who we know about. Mr. Matt killed his boss in a dispute and dismembered him. He fled to Mexico and then he killed another person in Mexico," Cuomo said Friday.