A man accused of killing a Kentucky doctor inside his clinic answered to the charge in court Wednesday.

John Combs pleaded not guilty to murder in Perry County.

Police say he gunned down Dr. Dennis Sandlin yesterday after the doctor refused to give him prescription medicine.

Sandlin's sister, Katheryn Burns, says her brother was a remarkable person and a special doctor.

"I just don't know how they can replace him," she said. "I mean, they will of course, but he sure was a good man, a very caring man."

She says he was a leader in the family. He was also a stern man, but never too serious.

"When I think of him, I think about his cutting-up ways," Burns said. "He always had something clever to say."

Sandlin's uncle, and former Perry County Sheriff Pat Wooton says the shooting death of his nephew highlights a bigger problem.

"It's indicative of the heavy drug culture that we do have," Wooton said. "It's very difficult to do anything with. We've got a long way to go on that, and it's just one tragedy after another."

Sandlin's sister says the doctor was always very strict when it came to prescriptions, and says he was killed because of it.

"You know, the doctor, if he's trying to do the right thing, he shouldn't have to worry about his life every minute," Burns said.

As for John Combs, the suspect in this case, he'll be back in court next week for a preliminary hearing.