BUFFALO (AP) - The Erie County sheriff says he has fired the deputy blamed for the foiled escape of an inmate from Buffalo's downtown lockup earlier this month.

Sheriff Timothy Howard says the 9-year veteran deputy was served termination papers last weekend. The deputy's name was being withheld in accordance with the state Public Officers Law.

Howard says the deputy was fired because his actions led to the escape of Brian Collins from the Erie County Holding Center Oct. 4.

Collins escaped from his cell and made it up to the building's roof before surrendering to police a couple of hours later.

Authorities say the deputy failed to make sure a cell door was properly locked.

Collins, 24, was being held on a variety of criminal charges and faces prosecution in a Georgia bank robbery.