Police chief defuses explosive situation

Nov. 22– An armed standoff Saturday between police and a man who did not want to be served an order of protection obtained by his estranged spouse ended without violence.

Savannah police reports state that Hardin County Deputy Sheriff David Pigg went to the 170 Long St. residence of Danny McClain to serve the order at 10 a.m.

McClain, holding a shotgun, opened the door, told the deputy he was not accepting the papers and slammed the door closed.

Authorities, including the Tennessee Highway Patrol, along with local police and sheriff’s department officers, had the location surrounded and the street blocked when police Chief Donald Derr arrived at 11:11 a.m., shortly after being called to the scene regarding a "barricaded subject in the residence who was armed."

Advised that communications had broken down between officers and McClain, Derr phoned McClain.

Following three calls with the chief totaling nearly 45 minutes and with a THP tactical team enroute, McClain surrendered without incident at 12:07 p.m.

McClain left the shotgun on the floor at the back door and emerged unarmed from the front of the residence where he was cuffed and taken to the county jail.

Derr said Monday that police are filing no charges in connection with the incident. The deputy who was met at the door with a shotgun is charging McClain with aggravated assault and refusing an order.

According to the chief, McClain did not point the weapon at anyone.