Intoxicated Men Cause Disturbance at River; One Arrested After Assaulting Police Chief

A man is facing charges after an incident near the Highway 8 bridge escalated into violence last month, according to police records in Pike County.

The affidavit states that Officer Jon Munz was dispatched at approximately 7:33 p.m. in response to a report of two intoxicated white males causing a disturbance near the river. When Officer Munz arrived, he found one man lying face-down in the river and another attempting to pull him out. Shortly after, one of the men fled the scene on foot toward Elm Street, near a McDonald’s restaurant.

Officer Munz called for an ambulance, first responders, and backup. He then located the fleeing individual, identified as Caleb Cates, near McDonald’s. Cates, who was reportedly highly intoxicated, told the officer that he had been drinking vodka and that his friend needed help.

Officer Munz transported Cates back to the bridge, where the second man—identified as 39 year old Kevin Taylor of Glenwood—was still present. Taylor was also reportedly highly intoxicated and became combative, attempting to fight Cates.

The situation escalated when Police Chief Greg Harmon arrived and attempted to de-escalate the confrontation. According to the affidavit, Taylor struck Chief Harmon with his fist. Chief Harmon, with the assistance of Officer Munz, Officer Brent Staggs, and first responder Mike Parish, subdued Taylor and placed him in handcuffs.

Chief Harmon sustained a laceration on his arm, bruised ribs, and other injuries during the altercation, the affidavit states.

Taylor was evaluated at the scene by Pafford EMS and, once medically cleared, was transported to the Pike County Detention Center. Taylor was charged with Battery in the second degree.