Beech Tree News Network

On Thursday, January 5, at approximately 10:00 p.m. Officer James Embry of the Morgantown Police Department was attempting to locate Richard (Richie) Smith in order to serve an outstanding arrest warrant. 

Embry located Smith's vehicle backed into a parking lot next to another vehicle at an apartment complex located on Sawmill Road in Morgantown.  Embry, believing the suspect to be inside the apartment, parked his cruiser at an angle and in front of the suspect's vehicle.
When Officer Embry exited his cruiser, he realized the suspect and another person were still sitting inside the car with the engine running.  Officer Embry opened Smith's door and told him he was under arrest and to step out of the vehicle.  Smith refused and grabbed the steering wheel.  Embry then leaned into the car to dislodge Smith's grip on the wheel and remove him from the vehicle.
During the struggle, Smith managed to slam the vehicle into gear and step on the accelerator.  Officer Embry, at this point being dragged and fearing he was going to be crushed between his parked cruiser and Smith's vehicle, discharged two (2) rounds - both of which struck the vehicle.
Smith, managing to clear the cruiser, then fled the scene at a high rate of speed.  Smith's vehicle was located at 10:13 p.m. behind a residence at 935 Russellville Road.  Smith fled on foot and was tracked for over a mile before his tracks intersected with A.T. Lane and U.S. Hwy. 231, where he was believed to have been picked up by an accomplice. 
Smith's passenger, Lisa Dockery, was taken into custody for questioning and later released.  She stated that Smith was driving fast and crazy on the snow and ice-covered roads.
Smith is now wanted for Wanton Endangerment of a Police Officer and Fleeing and Evading, in addition to the original indictment warrants.
Agencies assisting at the scene were officers with the Butler County Sheriff's Department and Butler County EMS - along with notification being made to the Kentucky State Police.
Officer Embry was initially placed on standard administrative leave and will be returning to work on his regular shift rotation after having been found to have acted in accordance with Kentucky State law and the Morgantown Police Department policy.