The Associated Press

COLUMBUS - Central Ohio law enforcement agencies say they're unlikely to get federal financial help for the $2.3 million highway shootings investigation.

The U.S. Justice Department paid 26 police departments more than half what it cost them to investigate the Washington-area sniper shootings that killed 10 people two years ago.

But no federal grants seem to apply in the Ohio case, in which one person was killed.

"There's none to be had," said Kathy Crandall, Franklin County's administrator of justice planning and programs.

More than eight local, state and federal agencies were involved in the investigation from Nov. 25, when Gail Knisley was killed on Interstate 270, to March 17, when Charles McCoy Jr. was arrested.

McCoy, 28, faces murder charges in Knisley's death and other counts related to 11 other shootings starting in October.

The Franklin County sheriff's office, Columbus police and State Highway Patrol accounted for $2 million of the cost. The FBI and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives provided help.

Sheriff Jim Karnes said he thinks a pitch can be made for federal help because the shootings took place on I-270 and other interstate highways. Others say they doubt attempts to secure reimbursement will succeed.

Five Maryland police departments, 21 in Virginia and one in Washington in early 2003 received $2.5 million from the Justice Department, which is about 58 percent of what they requested to cover overtime and other expenses. The federal government also helped pay for security at the trials of John Allen Muhammad and Lee Boyd Malvo.

Franklin County has money set aside for emergencies such as this, said Commissioner Dewey Stokes, who supports seeking grants but said he's hesitant to ask congressmen to push for special funding.