E. KY Doctor Killed for Refusing Pills to Addict

Wonder why mountain doctors often enable their obviously addicted patients by continue to prescribe narcotics? This is why:

A man seeking prescription painkillers shot and killed a doctor at a Perry County medical clinic Tuesday morning, according to state police.

Dr. Dennis Sandlin, 57, of Delphia died after being shot at Leatherwood/Blackey Medical Clinic in Cornettsville.

John Combs, 46, of Redfox in neighboring Knott County, was arrested after the shooting, state police said. Combs has been charged with murder.

SNIP

"We've all seen patients become visibly upset" when they didn't get the drugs they wanted, said Lt. Gov. Daniel Mongiardo, a doctor from Perry County who said he has known Sandlin for years.

"Here's someone who came back home to help his community ... an innocent victim of a problem that is an epidemic throughout this state."

Wooton said he understood Sandlin previously had been involved in an incident in which he physically fought with a man seeking drugs.

"Denny knocked him out," Wooton said.

But generally, Sandlin was "a very gentle person," Mongiardo said.

"He was very laid-back, mild-mannered, never raised his voice," Mongiardo said. "I can't begin to tell you how heartbroken we all are. He's taken care of generations of families."

Caudill said Sandlin was well-loved. He had recently participated in a program to collect $10,000 worth of Christmas gifts for children.

The gifts are to be distributed next Tuesday, Caudill said.

Sandlin would take time to talk with patients, and he was "particularly gifted" at caring for older people, Wooton said.

The clinic is closed until Monday.

"MCHC is a family and will pull together to overcome this," Caudill said.

The non-profit Mountain Comprehensive Health Corp. is based in Whitesburg and is one of the largest rural health centers in Kentucky, according to its Web site.

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