By JAMES BELL
Hays Post
A Hays resident is safely in custody after an apparent suicide-by-cop attempt in Hays on Wednesday morning.
At around 10:22 a.m., the Hays Police Department received a report of a suspect armed with two knives attempting to enter a Northwest Kansas Community Corrections office at 1011 Fort.
Responding officers found Armando L. Martinez, Hays, in the lobby, said Hays Chief of Police Don Scheibler, armed with two knives.
HPD Lt. Tim Greenwood entered first and was immediately confronted by Martinez.
Greenwood began issuing verbal commands to drop the weapons.
After Martinez refused to comply, Detective J.B. Burkholder drew a Taser and deployed the weapon, striking Martinez.
"The Taser worked like we like it to, causing him to drop to the ground and causing him to drop both knives," Scheibler said.
Officers were then able to detain Martinez without further incident.
"Investigations revealed this appears to be an attempt of suicide by cop," Scheibler said.
He said initially Martinez had tried to enter the Law Enforcement Center, but was unable to gain entry.
"His intent was to come to the police department to kill a police officer," Scheibler said. "He found the door locked because of COVID-19 restrictions. That's when he decided to go down to the Community Corrections building in an effort to meet and do the same to his probation officer."
Martinez has previous convictions for theft, battery, aggravated burglary, criminal threat and drug possession, according to Kansas Department of Correction online records.
Scheibler credits the officers for resolving the situation without injuries being sustained.
"It is really a good day for the Hays Police Department," he said. "Lt. Greenwood and Detective Burkholder burst through that door and was immediately confronted — within feet — by a man armed with two knives that had deadly intent. Because of the professionalism and their training, they were able to take him into custody without anybody getting hurt."
Scheibler said he is proud for the way the officers handled the situation.
"A young man is still alive today because of Lt. Greenwood's and Detective Burkholder's dedication to their profession and their training," Scheibler said. "I'm glad it turned out the way it did."