5 Correction Officers Injured In Inmate Attack

BEACON, NY — Five correction officers were injured during an attack by an inmate at Fishkill Correctional Facility last week.

The New York State Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association said in a news release that four officers and a sergeant needed to be treated at area hospitals.

One of the officers and a female sergeant sustained broken noses in the attack.

Authorities said, on June 14, a counselor at the prison was conducting an interview of the inmate in a group room in one of the housing dorms.

After a short time, police said, the inmate began to be unruly and argumentative and failed to follow the counselor's directions.

An officer who saw the incident came into the room and ordered the inmate to stop the unacceptable behavior. However, the inmate grabbed a chair and tried to pick it up.

The officer immediately used pepper spray which had no effect, authorities said.

Police said the inmate continued his violent outburst, swinging his arms wildly with closed fists. The officer grabbed the inmate in a body hold and tried to get him to the ground but was no successful.

Another nearby officer saw the incident, called for a response and then entered the room to help the other officer.

The inmate immediately struck that officer in the face with a closed fist, causing his nose to bleed.

Shortly after, the sergeant came into the room and used the pepper spray again, which also had no effect.

The sergeant was able to get handcuffs on one of the inmate's wrists, but since he continued to be combative, she was unable to control his other arm.

Two other officers got the inmate into a body hold and got control of his arms, forcing him to the ground, where he continued to fight with the officers.

Eventually, authorities said, three officers were able to get handcuffs on the inmate, which resulted in him becoming compliant.

The inmate was taken to the infirmary to have the pepper spray removed.

One officer sustained a broken nose and cut to the side of it. The sergeant was treated for a broken nose, pain and swelling to her left elbow and shoulder. Three officers were treated for pain and swelling to their wrists and hands.

They did not return to duty, authorities said.

Prison officials said the inmate is serving a six-year sentence after being convicted in 2019 for second-degree assault in Wayne County. He stabbed a 32-year-old man multiple times. While waiting for trial in the Wayne County Jail, he attacked and injured three Wayne County correction officers.

Chris Moreau, the association's vice president for the Mid-Hudson region, said the attack on the staff was vicious and unprovoked and needs to be prosecuted by the district attorney.

He said he can't understand how lawmakers can hear about this attack and believe that progressive agendas aren't putting the health and safety of law enforcement in serious jeopardy.

"Obviously, this young man has no regard for anyone," Moreau said. "He stabbed a man multiple times, attacked and injured three county correction officers while awaiting trial and now savagely attacks staff at Fishkill."