HCSO: Hamilton County Jail corrections officer attacked by inmate

April 18, 2024

WDEF News,

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office said a corrections officer was assaulted by an inmate on Wednesday.

According to the sheriff’s office, inmate Nicholas Pillows attacked Sergeant Stephen Roberts on April 17 at the Hamilton County Jail.

HCSO said Sgt. Roberts was trying to move Pillows from an isolation unit in the George 3 Housing Unit.

Authorities said Pillows had broken the glass screen of the video visitation kiosk in his isolation unit.

Broken screen glass. HCSO

Pillows then attacked Sgt. Roberts with a jagged piece of the broken glass several times. Corrections officers then finally subdued him.

However, Sgt. Roberts received two cuts behind his left ear.

Piece of broken glass. HCSO

The HCSO is pressing additional charges against Pillows for the assault.

Sgt. Roberts received treatment for his injuries and was released from the hospital.

“The injuries Sergeant Roberts sustained in this altercation represent the ever-present challenges and serious dangers our corrections services personnel face on a daily basis while performing their duties. Weapons can be made or forged from literally anything, including in this particular incident, a piece of broken computer screen from a video visitation unit. These dangerous, weapons can cause serious injuries or even death to our personnel. We are fortunate Sergeant Roberts was not more seriously injured in this incident. I am proud of the hard work and service our Corrections Deputies provide this county and its citizens each and every day,” stated Sheriff Austin Garrett.  