Hart County Sheriff Cleveland Asking for More Jail Guards in Wake of Recent Attack

Hart County Sheriff Mike Cleveland is asking the County to provide an extra jailer at the Hart County Detention Center – that after one of his guards was severely beaten by an inmate earlier this month.

Cleveland plans to ask for the extra guard when the Board of Commissioners meets tonight.

“With 50+ inmates down there, one is tied up in the tower at all times, and I don’t feel like two on the floor is enough. We need one more. We need three on the night shift. We have more than that on the day shift,” he said.

On the evening of May 9th, Cleveland said 35-year old Perry Rucker was mopping the floor in the jail when he suddenly attacked a female guard, beating her about the head.

He then attacked two other guards who tried to intervene and overpowered them before deputies were able to subdue and cuff him.

Rucker is charged with four counts of aggravated assault, one count of battery, and three counts of felony obstruction, even though the attack was on three guards.

Cleveland said Rucker initially came to jail on a probation revocation and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

He had been a trustee at the jail when three weeks ago he went over the fence and escaped.

Rucker was captured about a short time later, adding more time and more charges.

Meantime, Cleveland said the female guard, whose name has not been released, suffered severe injuries and continues to recover.

The Hart County Commission meeting begins at 6p at the County Commission offices on Reed Creek Highway in Hartwell and is open to the public.