| "The first thing that crossed my mind is that we are very fortunate not to have our flags at half staff today," said
Detective Greg Collins with the Parkersburg Police Department.
Collins, who has roots in Calhoun County, was shocked to learn that an armed gunman had walked into the West Virginia State Police detachment and reportedly attempted to shoot at officers.
Bucky Arthur, 49, of Annamoriah, went into the barracks Sunday with two holstered pistols, one on each side, looking for a "traitor."
"I could tell just from a second or two of speaking with him, something was not right with him. He was mentally disturbed in some way. I didn't know what," says Trooper Todd Kelly.
Officers say they asked him to put his hands on the wall, but Arthur reached for his right-side weapon.
In a split second they had to decide whether or not to shoot.
"They probably were justified pulling their guns and maybe firing that weapon. I applaud them for being able to take him into custody without killing him," said Collins.
The gun caught on a holster rope, giving officers time to take Arthur down.
Collins said the Parkersburg Police Department and the Wood County Sheriff's Department have lobbies that include bullet proof glass, intercom systems and very limited access to the stations. The State Police do not have such facilities.
"The money, especially in West Virginia law enforcement, is not there to do the things we need to do to keep our officers safe," according to Collins.
Arthur has been charged with attempted murder and wanton endangerment and is currently held in North Central Regional Jail on $100,000 bond.
State Police said Arthur told a dispatcher he wanted to help fight the "traitors," though he never made clear who the "traitors" were.
It is illegal to carry weapons on State Police property.
The dispatcher said he asked Arthur to return the weapons to his vehicle. When he refused the dispatcher called all three troopers on duty to return to the barracks.
Sergeant R.L. Talkington, Senior Trooper, C.J. Weekley and Trooper P.T. Kelly responded, talking to Arthur in the lobby of the detachment.
Talkington says he asked Arthur to put his hands on the wall and Arthur allegedly responded by taking a half step back with his left foot, attempting to draw his right side revolver.
"He tried to draw his weapon and we grabbed hold of it, tried to keep him off the weapon. Actually, the were able to get the weapon off of him. I don't recall that he said anything. He just drew," says Sergeant Talkington.
Sergeant Talkington says the three troopers, together, were able to remove Arthur's weapons and handcuff him.
Arthur was carrying about 100 rounds of ammunition on his person.
His car yielded 2,300 rounds of ammunition and more than ten other firearms.
"We have training all the time to deal with people, non-cooperative people and non-cooperative people with firearms. I'm sure training helped us in this situation. We're just lucky that neither he or any of us got hurt," said Talkington.
Each charge against Arthur carries a possible prison sentence of one to five years.
SEE earlier Hur Herald stories
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