Louisa city worker vs homeless man in city park

By Roberta Cantrell
BSN Editor

It was not just an average day on the job for one city worker last Friday, May 16.

While David Rasnake was going about his day one of his duties was to check an electric box at the stage in the Main Street Park near the Lawrence County Public Library.

As Rasnake came out of the room on the stage he was greeted by a homeless man holding a knife and acting very erratic and according to Louisa Police Chief Steven Wilburn making statements that made Rasnake feel uncomfortable.

Chief Wilburn said after a few minutes the guy finally walked away so Rasnake could come on out of the room of the stage and that’s when he called for help.

Louisa Police Detective Hunter James and Lawrence County Sheriff Deputy Greg Powers arrived and were able to detain the homeless man without incident.

After placing him in the cruiser, officers were able to identify him as Joshua Burton, 36, originally from Bowling Green who has been living under the bridge.

Lawrence County Sheriff Chuck Jackson who also arrived at the scene said Burton has been getting aggressive in the recent weeks.

During the arrest, Burton was found to be in possession of Methamphetamine.

He was charged with 1st degree possession of a controlled substance, buy/possess drug paraphernalia, 2nd degree disorderly conduct and menacing. Burton was arrested and lodged in the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center.

Rasnake said all during this time he was not worried for himself but just thinking about his kids.