Standoff leads to arrest
Melvin Beard
By Wade Daffron
TJ Editor
A Russell County man remains incarcerated after a nearly five-hour standoff with police last week.
Melvin Beard, 43, of Jamestown, was taken into custody around 9 p.m. last Wednesday.
Court records said Beard was charged with first degree assault and wanton endangerment following an incident earlier that morning.
A warrant obtained by Jamestown Police Officer Heath Tarter said Beard allegedly “struck (a) victim on top of the head with the butt of a handgun.”
“It caused a laceration to the top of her head,” the warrant said. “The defendant and the victim got into a physical altercation while the victim was trying to leave,” Officer Tarter said in the warrant. “During the altercation, the handful went off-grazing the victim’s left arm. The (v)victim drove herself to the hospital for treatment of her injuries.”
The Jamestown Police Department (JPD) was notified of the incident after the victim arrived at the hospital, court records said.
When authorities attempted to serve a warrant at a residence on Basket Factory Road, they encountered a situation involving “a barricaded suspect,” a report said.
At that time, JPD issued a statement informing the public U.S. 127 between Telephone Drive and Woolen Mill Road” was closed “and will remain closed until further notice.”
“Motorists are strongly urged to avoid the area, seek alternate routes, and follow all directions from law enforcement,” the statement said.
As a precaution, some residents who live near the scene were asked to evacuate their homes, and some took to social media to explain their status.
The Jamestown Volunteer Fire Department (JVFD) was called for assistance at the scene.
“Russell County 911 advised JVFD members of call for assistance by the Jamestown Police, and KSP (Kentucky State Police) on an incident at Basket Factory Road-placing members on standby,” a report said. “At (4 p.m.), they were requested to stage due to the potential possibility of a fire and explosion.”
As the standoff situation continued, “firefighters at the standoff were advised to move to another location and shut down West Cumberland Avenue in the area,” a JVFD report said. “Area residents were advised to evacuate by JPD and KSP. JPD reported around (9 p.m.) the person had surrendered. Units relocated closer, supplying high velocity fan and air monitoring equipment.”
The JVFD remained on the scene until almost 10:30 p.m., and were thankful to “the public for understanding the situation, RCSR for water delivery for all involved first responders. Thanks to all involved, on scene, and the ones who covered the station. It was a long hot day, and the outcome was good.”
A Kentucky State Police Special Response Team was among the many agencies and entities to report to the scene.
At press time, Beard was scheduled for a court appearance, and remained incarcerated in the Russell County Detention Center on a $100,000 cash bond.
