ROANE POLICE FACE CHALLENGE FROM IMPAIRED MAN

(08/21/2013)
Roane County authorities responded Monday to a 911 call at Abbott Hollow near the Roane-Kanawha line following a report of a man armed with a shotgun and knife, depressed and suicidal and making threats to harm law enforcement, according the criminal complaint.

Cpl. M. W. Williams and Cpl. P.S. Fisher, who responded, said Richard Wayne Cogar, 49, said "I want to die... I have guns," and will force police to shoot.

After the officers secured the area, they encountered Cogar with a metal utility knife at his door, according to the complaint, and after ordering the man to put the knife down, he said, "I'll kill you...kill me, kill me."

The complaint says the officers managed to grab the man's arm, and following a scuffle took Cogar down to the floor, as he continued resisting.

The officers were able to disarm the man and place him in handcuffs.

Cogar advised the officers he had 18 beers, says the complaint, then telling the officers, "I'm sorry, I respect you," continuing to say he wanted to die, according to the complaint.

Cogar was taken to Roane General Hospital and upon release was charged and taken to Central Regional Jail.

He has two counts battery on officers, two counts of assault on officers, one count of brandishing a knife and two counts of assault with a deadly weapon (knife).

He is being held on $27,500 bond.