By Shannon McFarlin News Director
Paris, Tenn.–Paris Police have provided more details in the disturbance call at a local motel which resulted in injury to a Paris police lieutenant and the arrest of a Dover man Thursday morning.
Lt. Tony Elkins remains at Jackson-Madison County Hospital, to which he was transferred Thursday afternoon. He initially was taken to Henry County Medical Center immediately after the injury.
Patrick Cowgill was charged with aggravated assault, public intoxication, disorderly conduct, and unlawful drug paraphernalia. His bond is $5,000 and he is to be in court on July 22nd.
According to the press release, Paris City Units were dispatched to the Knights Inn at 409 Tyson Avenue reference a disorderly tenant causing problems.
“When officers arrived, they spoke with management who told them that the occupant from room 227 had been disturbing the other guests and playing music on his speakers late at night bothering the guests,” according to the press release. “Management advised that they had approached the subject and talked to him about the problems and he became irate with them. Management requested that the officers make the subject leave the property due to the problems.”
Patrolman Coltin Wyrick made contact with the subject who was identified as Patrick Cowgill. Wyrick advised Cowgill that he was causing a disturbance to the other guests and he needed to gather his things and leave the property.
“Cowgill was argumentative with Wyrick and apparently confused as to what day it was, not knowing that it was in fact his check out date. As Wyrick continued to talk with Cowgill he observed that he was very fidgety, his pupils were dilated, and he was unable to complete full sentences. Cowgill presented symptoms of being under the influence of some form of intoxicant,” according to police.
When Lt. Tony Elkins arrived on scene, he again advised Cowgill that he needed to gather his things and leave the property. Cowgill advised he needed about an hour to gather his things to leave, which the officers granted him and stood by in the parking lot to deter any further disturbance.
“Cowgill, instead of gathering his things to leave, began leaning over the second-floor railing and yelling at the officers in the parking lot. Cowgill was given multiple warnings and opportunities to continue gathering his things to leave but refused to comply. The officers then went to arrest Cowgill for disorderly conduct and upon reaching the top of the steps, the officers observed Cowgill to have taken a defensive posture and he was telling officers that he was not going to jail,” police said.
“The officers then went to place handcuffs on Cowgill and he resisted by locking his arms onto the railing to prevent his hands from being placed behind his back. Patrolman Wyrick attempted to use his taser but it was ineffective and during the struggle, Cowgill grabbed the Taser causing Wyrick to drop it on the catwalk. A lengthy struggle ensued between the officers and Cowgill before back up units arrived on the scene to help restrain Cowgill,” according to the press release.
In the aftermath, Cowgill was checked by Henry County EMS for some blood from his head but refused treatment and was eventually transported to the jail.
Lt. Elkins was unable to catch his breath and was very light headed after the struggle, and was transported to the HCMC emergency room for evaluation. Later in the day, Elkins was transported to Jackson Madison County Hospital by ambulance for further tests, where he remains at the time of this press release.
Cowgill was charged with Aggravated Assault, Public Intoxication, Disorderly Conduct, and Unlawful Drug Paraphernalia. His bond is $5,000 and he is to be in court on July 22nd.