May 25, 2012 — Kenneth Douglas Dyer, 55, of Olive Hill, was shot and killed Wednesday afternoon in a standoff with Kentucky State Police just hours after his release from jail.
For the second day in a row, KSP troopers responded to reports of an individual wielding a firearm at a residence in Pleasant Valley, near Olive Hill.
Dyer allegedly refused to surrender his firearm and was killed by Troopers Joseph Vorbeck and Kris Kirk after he apparently turned his weapon on the officers.
Dyer had been arrested the day before on a charge of first-degree wanton endangerment after officers responded to reports that he had been exhibiting disorderly behavior and randomly firing his weapon outside his home.
He was released from the Carter County Detention Center on bond at approximately 10 a.m. and the fatal shooting occurred shortly after 4 p.m.
Trooper First Class Elliott Gollihue fielded questions from the media at the scene, addressing the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
“It appears both troopers acted accordingly,” Gollihue said, claiming that both Vorbeck and Kirk had made numerous attempts to negotiate with Dyer before he aimed his gun at them.
“Any time someone’s life is taken, it’s tragic, regardless of the circumstances,” Gollihue said. “I wish it could have turned out differently but it didn’t.”
Vorbeck and Kirk will be placed on administrative leave in accordance with KSP policy for an officer-involved shooting.
