Officials said that three officers and a dog were killed and many other officers were hurt when Kentucky police attempted to serve a warrant on Thursday night.
Two officers and a dog from the police were reported as having been killed by state police earlier Friday. Four other officers were also injured. According to an arrest citation, a member of emergency management was also hurt.
Prestonsburg police announced on social media Friday night that Jacob R. Chaffins (canine handler) had died.
Prestonsburg police and the Floyd County Sheriff’s Office identified the two other officers who were killed as Deputy William Petry (previously Capt. Ralph Frasure.
In a statement released earlier Friday, Les Stapleton, Prestonsburg Mayor, stated that Chaffins was among the officers who were injured.
Stapleton stated that Frasure had been in law enforcement for 39 years and that Chaffins was only just starting his career.
Police took 49-year-old Lance Storz into custody late Thursday night.
Floyd County Sheriff John Hunt stated to NBC affiliate WSAZ in Huntington, West Virginia that deputies were trying to serve a warrant issued by the court and that the suspect opened fire.
Hunt said Friday that the responding officers were confronted with “pure hell” upon arriving on the scene.
He said, “They had no chance.”
Hunt stated that four deputies responded initially, but Hunt called for support when shots were fired at them. Kentucky State Police arrived on the scene at 6:30 p.m. to join local officers.
Hunt stated that the officers on the scene were subject to intense fire for several hours.
Hunt claimed Storz gave up after negotiations with Storz’s relatives.
A judge from Pike County arraigned Storz Friday morning. He pleaded guilty to two murder charges against a police officer. He was also jailed with a $10 million bond. He also faces another attempted murder charge as well as assault on a service dog.
According to the arrest citation, Storz fired multiple shots at officers from his Main Street home in Allen, Kentucky.
Hunt stated that four deputies responded initially, but Hunt called for support when shots were fired at them. Kentucky State Police was called to the scene at 6:45 p.m. and joined local law enforcement.
He said that the officers on the scene had been under intense fire for several hours.
Hunt stated that Storz gave up after negotiations with his family members.
A judge from Pike County arraigned Storz Friday morning. He pleaded guilty to two murder charges against a police officer. He was also jailed with a $10 million bond. He also faces another attempted murder charge as well as assault on a service dog.
Gov. Andy Beshear requested prayers for Floyd County and the families of those who were killed.
“Britainy, I and others are praying for the Allen family and those who were injured or lost. He tweeted that these heroes had sacrificed everything for our people.
The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives also responded to Thursday night’s message and expressed condolences.
The ATF stated Friday that Kentucky had “lost the best of police officers during an ambush in Floyd County yesterday” and that “these men sacrificed their lives protecting others.”
