Polson man sentenced for trailer court standoff

A Polson man who held a woman at gunpoint in July at the Bellevue Trailer Court along U.S. Highway 93 has been sentenced to 20 years in prison with 10 years suspended for felony assault with a weapon.

Edward Dale Hardy, 64, originally was charged with three felonies following the incident, which resulted in an armed standoff with authorities, including a SWAT team.

According to court documents, county dispatchers received a call July 7 from a woman who said Hardy was firing guns inside their home and would not allow her to leave. Dispatch also received reports from other Bellevue residents of shots being fired.

A Polson police officer responded to the scene and knocked on the door. There was no response, but the officer noticed two bullet holes on the side of the trailer and retreated to his vehicle to take cover.

Officers established a perimeter around the trailer and attempted to talk with Hardy inside the trailer as they began evacuating nearby residences.

Officers could hear Hardy barricading the doors and windows. Telephone contact was made with the inside occupants and an officer was able to negotiate the release of the female, who was subsequently examined by medical personnel. Hardy then began setting debris on fire and throwing it out the window of the trailer.

The Northwest Montana Regional SWAT Team and Kalispell Special Response Team came down to assist with the situation. Also responding were the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Montana Highway Patrol and the Flathead Tribal Police.

Just as the SWAT Team was about to make contact, Hardy crawled through a window and tried to escape by getting into his vehicle. Hardy was taken into custody after being tased by an officer.

A search of Hardy’s residence revealed firearms, a cache of ammo and numerous other weapons strategically placed throughout the trailer.

Visiting Judge John W. Larson handed down the sentence Dec. 9 in Lake County District Court.

Hardy was booked into the Lake County jail following the incident. The case was set to go to trial Dec. 6, but Hardy agreed to a plea deal that led to the dismissal of one count of felony kidnapping and one count of felony criminal endangerment.

On Tuesday he was still in custody in Lake County awaiting a transfer to the Department of Corrections.