Bee Spring Man Arrested After Allegedly Attempting To Disarm Law Enforcement In Altercation

Erik Harley Anderson (28), Bee Spring.

Patrick Michael Ducey (43), Bee Spring.

Edmonson Voice Report:
Two men were arrested after an altercation during a traffic stop on Saturday night, according to the Edmonson County Sheriff's Office.

Officials reported that on September 18th around 8:53 pm at the intersection of Salem Church Road and KY HWY 259 North, a sheriff’s deputy initiated a traffic stop after observing a 2000 Infiniti traveling northbound with no license plate light. The operator of the vehicle was identified as Patrick Michael Ducey (43) and the passenger was identified as Erik Harley Anderson (28), both of Bee Spring, Kentucky, The Sheriff's Office said.

Law enforcement was reportedly made aware of Anderson having an active Ohio County felony warrant and he was advised to step out of the vehicle, officials stated. Once outside the vehicle, a sheriff’s deputy reportedly attempted to place Anderson in handcuffs, but he fled on foot and crossed Salem Church Road into the yard of a residential property. The Sheriff's Office stated that a deputy successfully deployed his department issued taser, which caused Anderson to fall to the ground. Anderson did not comply with officers' commands, according to the Sheriff's Office, and Anderson then allegedly pulled the taser wires out of his body and attempted to flee again.

Anderson was tased again, according to law enforcement, and as officers approached to detain him, he attempted to flee again. A sheriff’s deputy then attempted to use hands-on force to detain Anderson; however, Anderson allegedly resisted and reached for the deputy’s firearm. A second officer assisted the deputy in attempts to detain Anderson, but Anderson reportedly continued to resist, allegedly forcefully elbowing and striking both officers and reaching for their gun belts. Hands-on force, consistent with law enforcement training, was used to finally detain Anderson and secure him in handcuffs, the Sheriff's Office stated.

Anderson was served the Ohio County warrant for failure to appear on charges stemming from drug offenses. He was also charged with:

• Assault 3rd Degree—Police Officer or Probation Officer
• Disarming a Peace Officer (attempt)
• Fleeing or Evading Police, 1st Degree (on foot)
• Resisting Arrest
• Disorderly Conduct, 1st Degree
• Escape, 1st Degree (identify institution)

Ducey, the driver of the vehicle Anderson was a passenger of, was arrested and charged with:

• Driving on DUI Suspended License, 1st Offense
• Rear License Not Illuminated
• Possession of Burglary Tools
• No Registration Plates
• Failure to Produce Insurance Card

Both Anderson and Ducey were lodged in the Hart County Jail.

Edmonson County Sheriff's Office was assisted on scene by Kentucky Fish and Wildlife.

"I first want to offer my sincere appreciation to the agencies and officers who assisted with both incidents," said Sheriff Shane Doyle, who was also referring to press release from his office referring to an altercation at the Edmonson County Fairgrounds earlier that evening.

"With a small department like ours, we do not have the resources allocated to ensure a deputy always has back-up when responding to a call for service or initiating a traffic stop. Both of these calls resulted in physical violence against officers, one with a suspect trying to disarm a deputy, and while my deputies, first and foremost, must always depend on their training, I am very thankful for neighboring agencies willing and able to offer assistance, which in both cases, resulted in positive outcomes for all officers involved. Secondly, I want the citizens of Edmonson County to know we have zero tolerance for physical violence against law enforcement. My deputies are trained to peacefully and safely detain a suspect, but when use-of-force is needed to ensure my deputies or an assisting officer goes home to their families at the end of a shift, I will always support that."