Inmate assaults jail sergeant; three staff checked at hospital

The Sawyer County sheriff reported that an inmate convicted of homicide assaulted a female sergeant in the county jail during a disciplinary counseling session, leaving the sergeant with substantial facial injuries.

"He attacked the female sergeant jailer and assaulted her especially in the face area," the sheriff said, adding that two other jailers assisted and the inmate was secured so he could not harm others. Three jail staff were checked at the hospital following the incident.

Committee members asked about housing and supervision; the sheriff said the inmate was in the medical block at the time and that the doorway to the hallway had been propped open, though deputies were immediately positioned and were able to respond quickly. The jail official reported current population metrics earlier in the meeting but did not connect those totals to staffing impacts from the day’s assault.

The committee did not take formal action during the meeting beyond receiving the sheriff’s report. The chair thanked the sheriff and staff and wished deputies a safe holiday weekend.