SALINE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas felon on new charges after an altercation with a police officer.
Just before 9:30p.m. Wednesday, Salina Police received information that 36-year-old Devon Wayne Dirksen, who had warrants for his arrest, was located at the Pump Mart, 1118 North 9th Street, in Salina, Kansas, according to a statement from police.
Officer Michael Chandler was dispatched to that location and contacted Dirksen inside the business.
Dirksen resisted Officer Chandler’s efforts to arrest him, and a physical altercation ensued. Dirksen was able to break free from Officer Chandler and fled outside.
Officer Chandler caught Dirksen across the street from the Pump Mart and tackled him to the ground. During the struggle on the ground, Dirksen pulled on Officer Chandler’s sidearm, and then Officer Chandler heard the sound of a gunshot. Dirksen was able to break free, and fled into a nearby residential area. Officer Chandler checked his handgun, and it was still secured in his holster.
With the assistance of the Saline County Sheriff’s Office and Kansas Highway Patrol, Dirksen was located hiding in the area and was taken into custody without further incident. A handgun was found in the area where Officer Chandler and Dirksen were struggling on the ground, and the gunshot was heard.
No one was injured by the gunfire, but Officer Chandler and Dirksen suffered minor injuries from the physical confrontation.
Dirksen was booked into the Saline County Jail requested charges of Attempted Aggravated Robbery, Aggravated Battery of a Law Enforcement Officer, Aggravated Assault of a Law Enforcement Officer, Attempted Aggravated Burglary, Felony Interference with a Law Enforcement Officer, Unlawful Discharge of a Firearm in the City Limits, Misdemeanor Criminal Damage to Property. In addition, Dirksen was booked on three Salina Municipal Court warrants for failure to appear and one Saline County District Court warrant for failure to appear.
Dirksen has previous convictions for criminal threat, endangering a child, harassment by telephone and fir drugs, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.