CHAMOIS —Jordan T. Foster, recently of Chamois, was arrested on April 10 and charged with third-degree felony assault and knowingly burning or exploding following an incident in Chamois. Deputy Tim Edwards responded to a call of harassment with a deadly weapon.

Edwards’ handling of the situation drew praise from Sheriff Michael Bonham, who recommended the deputy for a commendation “in recognition of his outstanding performance and professionalism during a high-risk incident.”

Upon arrival, Edwards encountered Foster at the intersection of Locust and Main, walking away, and ordered him to stop. When Foster refused to stop, Edwards drew his weapon and repeated the order.

Foster allegedly replied, “Go ahead and shoot me.”

Edwards said he did not want to shoot him, and Foster turned and began walking away again.

At that time, Edwards holstered his gun and withdrew his taser, ordering Foster again to stop and get on the ground. Foster turned toward Edwards, withdrew two knives from his hoodie pocket, and threw them on the ground. Foster then went to the ground himself, and Edwards took him into custody.

“Deputy Edwards’ actions that day exemplify the highest standards of law enforcement professionalism,” said Bonham. “His ability to balance officer safety with de-escalation in a volatile and rapidly evolving situation likely prevented serious injury or loss of life. It is not an overstatement to say that his composure and decision-making turned what could have been a tragic incident into a safe and successful resolution. For his bravery, judgment, and dedication to duty, I respectfully and strongly recommend that Deputy Edwards be awarded a Sheriff’s Commendation.”

During an interview following the incident, the first victim told Edwards she let Foster live at her house, but that day, he had “gone crazy, removing two knives from the kitchen drawer and taking them in to lay on her bed,” according to a probable cause statement. “Foster asked her to sit with him and tried to lay his head in her lap. When she did not allow that, Foster allegedly began scraping himself with a knife.”

Afraid he was going to use the knife on her, the victim ordered Foster to leave, at which time he allegedly tried to burn her bed and blankets with a torch lighter. She was able to put out the fire.

According to the victim’s statement, Foster went outside and confronted a second victim. Foster and the second victim were on the ground fighting when a neighbor saw them and tried to break it up.

Edwards noted in his probable cause statement that Foster is homeless and believed to be schizophrenic. He is also a registered sex offender known to be violent and carry weapons.

He is being held at the Osage County Detention Center in lieu of $35,000 cash or surety.

Judge Sonya Brandt ordered special conditions of his bond: that Foster not violate any laws, have no contact with the victims, not possess or transport any firearms or explosives, not drink alcohol or be present at a location where alcohol is the primary item being sold or served, observe a 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew, maintain employment, and undergo psychiatric testing and take all prescribed medications.

No court date has yet been set in this matter.