Kentucky State Police Trooper Assaulted
Trooper Tyler Smith was transported to St. Claire Hospital
Morehead, KY (May 22, 2019) – On May 22, 2019, Trooper Nathan Roark, Trooper Tyler Smith with Post 8 Morehead and Sheriff Jesse Stewart with the Bath County Sheriff’s Department attempted to serve an arrest warrant on Bradley K. Harris, 42 years of age, of Owingsville, Ky. on Moores Ferry Road in Salt Lick, Ky.. Harris was wanted for Fleeing or Evading Police, 1st Degree (on foot, one count), Possession of a Firearm by Convicted Felon (one count), Terroristic Threatening, 3rd Degree (one count), Defacing Firearm (one count), No Registration Plates (one count), No Registration Receipt (one count), Failure to Produce Insurance Card (one count), Failure to Wear Seat Belts (one count). Troopers made contact with Peggy Harris, 41 years of age, of Salt Lick, Ky., spouse of Bradley Harris, at the residence. Mrs. Harris advised the Troopers Mr. Harris had already left the residence in a vehicle. She then gave Troopers consent to search the residence for Mr. Harris. Mr. Harris was located in a bedroom where he had barricaded himself inside a closet. Troopers then gave several loud verbal commands for Mr. Harris to come out of the closet but he still refused to come out. Troopers then entered into the walk-in closet to arrest Mr. Harris when an altercation ensued. During the altercation, Mr. Harris brandished a knife and attempted to strike the Troopers while they were attempting to place him in custody. Trooper Tyler Smith received a stab wound to the upper left portion of his leg during the altercation. Trooper Nathan Roark, Trooper Tyler Smith and Sheriff Jesse Stewart were able to get Bradley out of the closet and place him in custody.
Trooper Tyler Smith was transported to St. Claire Hospital by Bath County EMS where he was treated and released. Mr. Harris was transported to St. Claire by Kentucky State Police personnel where he was later transferred to the University of Kentucky Hospital.
Bradley Harris is charged with Assault 1st Police Officer (one count), Possession of a Controlled Substance, 1st (methamphetamine, one count), Drug Paraphernalia, Buy/Possess (one count), Resisting Arrest (one count), and Wanton Endangerment, 1st Degree Police Officer (two counts) as well as the two arrest warrants. Peggy Harris was charged with Hindering Prosecution or Apprehension, 2nd Degree, (one count), Possession of a Controlled Substance, 1st degree (methamphetamine, one count)and Drug Paraphernalia, Buy/Possess (one count). Mrs. Harris was lodged in the Montgomery County Regional Detention Center. This incident remains under investigation by the Kentucky State Police Post 8 Morehead.