MARSHALL COUNTY, Ala. — A Marshall County inmate has been charged with attempted murder of a corrections officer after she allegedly attacked the officer with a pair of scissors on Saturday, May 1.
The Marshall County Sheriff's Office said Corrections Officer Melissa Woodall was removing inmate Emily Sledge in order to escort her through a work cubicle area to a restroom when Sledge began hitting her.
The sheriff's office said the two fell two the ground and that Sledge opened a drawer in the cubicle and grabbed a pair of scissors before stabbing Woodall multiple times.
Woodall managed to open the door to the main women's cell block and several inmates came out to help pull Sledge off of her and keep her detained until more officers arrived.
The sheriff's office said that if it weren't for the actions of the inmates, "it is very likely Officer Woodall would have been killed."
Woodall was stabbed four times in the head area and once on her forearm, according to the sheriff's office. One wound just missed a main artery behind her ear, the sheriff's office said.
WARNING: Some of the images below of the injuries are graphic.
GRAPHIC: Marshall County Corrections Officers stabbed by inmate, sheriff's office says
Marshall County Sheriff Phil Sims commended the actions of the following inmates who came to Woodall's aid:
- Valerie Moore
- Katie Moore
- Janice Brooks
- Stephanie Grimstad
- Mary Williamson
MCSO said the holding cell Sledge was being held in was not designed for that use and did not have restroom capabilities. It was only being used to prevent overcrowding and for COVID-19 safety measures.
IN OTHER NEWS: No, Chicago police did not tweet 'We are all Derek Chauvin'