One Letcher County man is dead after a dispute with a Kentucky State Police officer Friday night.

KSP officials say the officer acted in self defense, and shot the man to protect himself and the community.

The Kentucky State Police post in Hazard received a call around 11:00 p.m. Friday night from Jackhorn in Letcher County.

Terry Taulbee had been drinking, and was threatening his long-time girlfriend, Sheila Lowe

"He called me in, and pointed a gun to my head. He said, 'I'll kill you, then I'll kill myself,'" Lowe said.

When Trooper Ben McCray arrived about an hour later, Taulbee left Lowe inside and went to talk with the trooper.

According to police, Taulbee refused to cooperate with the trooper.
"He then raised his weapon and forced the officer to defend himself and others in the community," Tony Watts, with KSP Hazard, said.
"And all I heard was three shots, you know, pow pow pow," Lowe said.

Taulbee was announced dead on the scene.

His daughter, Hattie Niles, was the one who called the police to protect her mom.

"I just think, what if I hadn't called the cops you know. I'm still confused. It hurts," Niles said.

"That's the last thing we want to do, is take a life, I assure you that," Watts said.

The entire family is still shocked after Taulbee's death, but both Lowe and Niles say they will get through it.

"It's rough, but I gotta be strong for my family and my mom," Niles said.
"I think I'll pull thru it. Everyone says I'm gonna be a little shaky right now," Lowe said.

"I miss him a lot, and I'm gonna miss him even more," Niles said.
Trooper McCray was placed on administrative duty for the next two weeks after the incident.

KSP says this is standard procedure after a shooting.

The deceased, Terry Taulbee, was 58 years old.