Police officers assaulted in separate cases

Published 12:00 am Tuesday, December 14, 2004

Two Lawrence County Sheriff's deputies have been injured in separate incidents involving prisoners.

Robert D. Helms, 37, of 1365 County Road 1, South Point, was charged with resisting arrest, assault and domestic violence.

According to a sheriff's office report, Helms is accused of head butting deputy Darren Hamlin and then kicking Hamlin with steel-toed boots as Hamlin was trying to place him in the back of a sheriff's cruiser.

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Deputy Carol Kitts had gone to Helms' residence Saturday evening after a woman at that residence called deputies and alleged that Helms had assaulted her and her infant daughter.

At the time of the first call to the residence, Helms had allegedly fled the house and could not be located.

According to the report, at 2330 hours, when Kitts was handling another call, deputy Hamlin was dispatched back to the residence because Robert had returned and was "threatening to kill everyone at that residence."

Hamlin allegedly located Helms inside the residence, handcuffed him and had taken him to a waiting cruiser when Helms declared he would not go willingly to jail. At that time, Helms allegedly head butted Hamlin in the chest.

"Once on the ground, Robert began to kick deputy Hamlin in the chest with steel-toed shoes," the report stated.

It stated Helms continued to fight Hamlin and deputy Steve Cartmel, who was called in to give assistance.

According to the report, Helms is also wanted in West Virginia and Georgia on various other charges and has previous convictions for battery and other violent crimes.

Another deputy received wounds to his hand in an incident involving another inmate.

Johnny D. Lewis, 21, of 6451 County Road 12, Proctorville, was charged Monday with assault on a peace officer.

According to a sheriff's office report, deputy Jerry Elliott had transported Lewis to the Lawrence County Jail from an appearance in Lawrence County Municipal Court when Lewis allegedly tried to get away from Elliott. Other officers gave assistance to get Lewis under control.

Lewis is also charged with vandalism after he allegedly damaged jail equipment. Lewis is in jail after being arrested Saturday on a disorderly conduct charge.