By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
Fatal shootings in Maine, Dodge City, and Wichita have headlined the news in recent days. Potential crisis was averted Friday afternoon when Barton County Sheriff's Office staff disarmed an individual with no injuries. Tuesday morning, Commissioner Barb Esfeld commended Undersheriff Steve Billinger, Lt. David Paden, and Sheriff Brian Bellendir. Great Bend Police Department Detective Jefferson Davis also helped subdue the subject.
"Just the way Brian, Steve, Dave Paden, and (Administrative Assistant Linda Francis), any of those need commended because that could have been a really ugly scene had they reacted differently," Esfeld said. "I can't imagine being in their shoes and have that happen and not react differently."
Twenty-eight-year-old Lee Shelton Leon had been served a protection from abuse order earlier in the day. He showed up at the sheriff's office just before 3 p.m. carrying a rifle that was later determined to be an air rifle. Staff said Leon appeared to be extremely agitated and Billinger was able to disarm him. Commission Chair Shawn Hutchinson also commended the sheriff's office staff.
"That could have been a million times worse," he said. "Cool heads prevailed, and that's what you need from law enforcement."
Leon was booked into the Barton County Jail on requested charges of aggravated assault of a law enforcement officer, aggravated assault, and other charges.