Former Blackwell Police Officer Gary Dean Preuss, 52, is scheduled to appear in the Kay County District Court.
Preuss has felony charges of assault with a dangerous weapon and threaten to perform an acto fo violence. He’s currently at the County Jail on a $100,000 bond.
He was arrested after Blackwell police received reports on Saturday, October 16, that he was on his porch with a rifle and made comments that he wanted a shootout with police. Preuss was talked out of of shoooting.
Two Blackwell police officers were dispatched to the home. Upon arrival, Preuss was peaking out from his porch and the officers mentioned in their affidavit that they could see the barrel of the rifle.
Sgt. John Mitchell was able to get Preuss on the phone and convinced him to put down the weapons and seek mental health treatment.
Following the 20 minute standoff, police report that Preuss came outside unarmed and was then transported to Stillwater Medical Blackwell Hospital by Mitchell, a deputy and medical professional Phil Green for a mental health evaluation.
When police executed a search warrant inside Preuss’ home, they discovered a “fighting position” set up in his living room, including a loaded 7mm Dimension Bolt Action Rifle, a 12 gauge Remington shotgun with a round in the chamber, and a loaded 45ACP Springfield pistol, all of which were in an arms reach. In addition, two other weapons and 28 boxes of ammo were reportedly located in the home.
A blood test performed at the hospital showed Preuss had a blood-alcohol level of .20.
According to Blackwell Police Chief Dewayne Wood, Preuss left the department earlier this year.
