Man sentenced to 9 years probation for cutting Fleming County deputy

LEXINGTON, Ky. — A Fleming County man has been sentenced to nine years in prison, all probated after spending nearly two years in custody, following an incident in which he cut a deputy with a knife outside a hospital emergency room, according to LEX 18 News.

Billy Hall was sentenced April 17 on amended charges of wanton endangerment following a lengthy investigation and contested mental health evaluations, the Commonwealth's Attorneys Office for Fleming, Mason and Bracken counties reported. If Hall violates his probation terms, he will be required to serve more than seven years in prison.

The incident occurred July 13, 2024, when Deputy Dustin Cooper responded to Hall's residence for a report of a possible intruder. Investigators determined there was no intruder present and that Hall was experiencing mental delusions following methamphetamine use days prior, the attorney's office said.

Fleming County EMS transported Hall to the hospital for psychiatric evaluation. As Hall exited the ambulance and attempted to enter the emergency room, he turned and cut Cooper's arm with a knife. Despite the injury, Cooper and hospital staff subdued Hall and took him into custody.

Cooper applied a tourniquet to his own arm before being transported to the University of Kentucky Hospital, where he was treated and released, authorities said.

The Commonwealth's Attorneys Office said the conviction provides a measure of justice for the incident and noted the case was resolved with Cooper's approval. The case highlights ongoing concerns about officer safety and mental health crises in law enforcement response situations across Kentucky.