GRAFTON - A judge has set bail at $1 million cash for a farmer accused of shooting a police chief and setting fire to a county courthouse after officers tried to serve him with a protection order.

James Thorlakson, 54, of Hensel, appeared disheveled with a bandage on his left elbow and a gunshot wound in his neck Tuesday, during his first court appearance since Friday's rampage.

Thorlakson was charged with two counts of attempted murder, two counts of arson and one count of endangerment by fire. The charges allege that he is a dangerous special offender, meaning he could face life in prison if convicted.

"I would like to state this is an odd view of what happened, in my opinion," Thorlakson told Judge Richard Geiger.

"These are only allegations," the judge replied.

Residents of Cavalier, who had barricaded themselves in their homes during Friday's shootout and fire, were waiting for answers.

Megan Staples, 19, said she was working at a cafe about four blocks away when it started.

"Everybody was on edge, because nobody knew what was going on," she said. "People are still wondering about what happened."

Cavalier has about 1,500 people.

Authorities said Thorlakson shot his way past officers who went to his farm to serve an order to stay away from his wife, then set fire to the courthouse and jail in Cavalier and returned as the fires burned and shot Cavalier Police Chief Ken Wolf. The chief was hospitalized in satisfactory condition.

Thorlakson managed to escape again after wounding the chief but was injured during gunfights with officers, officials said. He was arrested at a hospital about 30 miles away, when he sought medical treatment about six hours after the rampage began.

Deputy Brian Erovick said he and other officers went to Thorlakson's farm to serve the protection order and first spoke with Thorlakson by phone. He said they were waiting to serve the papers when Thorlakson came after them in his car, shooting a gun out the driver's side window with his left hand.

"We were surprised by it," the deputy said.

One shot smashed the window of Erovick's squad car and grazed his shirt as he was driving.

"I can't really explain it," the deputy said. "It's never happened before. Hopefully it will never happen again."

Authorities said about 70 officers and a Border Patrol helicopter were involved in the confrontation, which began about 5:30 p.m. Friday. They said Thorlakson switched from a car to a pickup and took back roads.

Pembina County State's Attorney Stuart Askew said Thorlakson had no previous criminal record. He was known as a quiet farmer who had spent most of his life raising cattle on the farm where he grew up.

Askew asked for a high amount of bail, citing the nature of the crimes and the fact that Thorlakson owned a large amount of land.

Thorlakson was brought to Tuesday's court hearing after being released from the hospital. Askew said hospital officials considered him a danger to others and to himself.

He will be held in the Walsh County Jail in Grafton, authorities said.

Askew said it could be months before the Pembina County Courthouse is fully repaired. Officials said earlier the damage could run as high as $1 million, but Becky Ault, the county's emergency manager, said Tuesday that an insurance adjuster pegged damage at less than that. No vital records were lost, she said.

The shooting and fire began Friday after courthouse workers had left for the day. They stayed away Monday and Tuesday while the damage was assessed.