Bell County Man Arrested After Multiple Threats and Using His Dog to Attack Responding Officers

From The Bell County Ky Sheriff's Department -

Johnny Ray Gambrel - BCDC

On Sunday, August 2, 2026, Bell County Dispatch received a call of an individual, identified as 52-year-old Johnny Ray Gambrel of Pineville, Ky., cursing and throwing things at vehicles near the park on Greencamp Road. Gambrel, nine miles from his own residence, also threatened a nearby family, including children, on their Wagoner Lane property saying he was going to kill them.

Detective Hunter Luttrell states that deputies were familiar with the man as they had come in contact with him on multiple occasions, which were always escalated by Gambrel's own actions.

As Det. Luttrell and Pineville Police Officer Samson Churchwell arrived on scene, they found Gambrel in the roadway taking a combative stance. He was told to stop and said he "had a gun too...and I will kill you both." Gambrel refused to obey the officers order to stop continuing to threaten them and said his dog "would get them."

For compliance, a taser was deployed on Gambrel who was still resisting the officers while calling for the dog to attack them. While Det. Luttrell and Ofc. Churchwell tried to place Gambrel in cuffs, his dog came over and attacked the detective. The dog punctured both of Det. Luttrell's ankles and would not let go. To stop the attack, the dog was fired upon and struck twice. It was shot two additional times after it appeared it would attack again and succumbed to its injuries shortly afterward.

After a continued struggle with Gambrel, he was placed in handcuffs but continued to resist the officers and they had to deploy OC spray to get him in a cruiser.

He was lodged in the Bell County Detention Center, charged with terroristic threatening - 3rd degree, menacing, public intoxication - controlled substance (excluding alcohol), fleeing or evading police - 1st degree (on foot), resisting arrest, disorderly conduct - 1st degree, criminal trespass - 1st degree, and assault - 3rd degree - police officer.

Detective Luttrell was taken to the Pineville Community Health Center for treatment of serious injuries and has since been released.

In recent encounters Gambrel has been armed with a machete and a hammer. Detective Luttrell has also fielded concerns from citizens in the Arjay community after Gambrel has said he had a gun.

Additionally, this is the third such incident involving Gambrel's dog. On a recent call, a Bell County EMS member was bitten by the animal.