Hempstead detention officer receives honor after attack by inmate
Hempstead County Sheriff James Singleton presented detention Officer Jimmy Smith the Hempstead County Sheriff ’s Purple Heart for injuries he received in the line of duty.
Smith was honored in ceremonies Wednesday at the sheriff’s department in Hope.
On March 8, Smith was injured when he was attacked by an inmate who broke his jaw.
Smith and a state prisoner being housed in the Hempstead County jail in Hope, Ark., were picking up trays after the evening meal. As they made their rounds, they came it to a prisoner pod when Smith noticed the trays were not by the door but by the garbage can.
Smith walked into the prisoner pod. The inmate started toward Smith in a “threatening manner,” Singleton said.
Smith ordered the inmate to stand down or he would be pepper-sprayed.
The inmate hit Smith in the jaw, causing three fractures. He was taken to Wadley Regional Medical Center in Hope and then transferred by Pafford EMS to St. Vincent Hospital in Little Rock.
Smith underwent surgery to repair his jaw.
The inmate was a state of Arkansas prisoner who was serving time for misdemeanor battery.
For the attack on Smith, the inmate has been charged with felony battery on a correctional officer. He has been released from jail on a bond, Singleton said. No trial date has been scheduled.
Smith returned to duty in August.