PIKEVILLE, Ky. — Pikeville Police were able to safely defuse a tense situation Monday afternoon, when a man allegedly holed up in his house and threatened to shoot officers.

It all began with a report that Herbert Courtney, 51, of Pikeville, had violated an emergency protective order. The person reporting the violation told police Courtney had a rifle and a handgun, and he had threatened to shoot any officers who showed up at his house.

Police then went to his home on Granite Drive, but Courtney didn’t respond to attempts to contact him. Tear gas was then used inside the home, with no effect.

Courtney’s daughter contacted police, saying he could see the officers on a camera and wouldn’t come out.

Courtney finally began communicating with officers after they announced they had brought in a police dog. He was then taken into custody following a brief struggle.

Courtney is now charged with menacing, terroristic threatening, resisting arrest and violating an EPO.
All of the charges are misdemeanors.