While an Officer was working in the Mess hall, he ordered inmate Cato 19B0550 to leave the area. The inmate refused the order, took a fighting stance and attempted to punch the officer. The Officer then applied a body hold around the inmate’s waist in an attempt to take the inmate to the ground but was unsuccessful. Two responding officers arrived on the scene. The first officer attempted to apply a body hold, but received a punch to the head by the inmate and was unable to assist. The second Officer was punched several times in the face by the inmate and returned strikes in an attempt to gain compliance. The inmate continued his assault on the second Officer, striking him in the face until the Officer was unable to assist further. Two additional responding Officers were able to get the inmate to ground where he was then physically restrained and mechanical wrist restraints were applied.
The Officer who was struck in the face several times was immediately transported to Albany Medical Center via ambulance. He was unable to return to duty due to the severity of his injuries. All other staff remained on duty with injuries reported. The inmate was escorted to a special housing unit to separate him from the general population due to his extremely violent and assaultive behavior and await a disciplinary hearing.