The Robertson County, Tennessee Sheriff's deputy who was critically injured after he was stabbed with a screwdriver and shot Wednesday faces major surgery.
Sheriff Bill Holt released said in a statement sent out Thursday morning that Deputy Josh Wiley suffered multiple gunshot wounds in the incident with an inmate at a medical clinic.
Wiley was attacked by Rodney L. Cole in a bathroom during a routine visit to the Vanderbilt University Medical Center at 100 Oaks, according to The Tennessean.
Deputy Tomisha Jones rushed in to help her partner and found Cole on top of him stabbing him multiple times. She shot at Cole and a struggle ensued that went into the hallway in which the inmate briefly gained control of her weapon and shot Wiley.
Jones regained control of the gun and both deputies fired at Cole, killing him.
Following is the full statement from Sheriff Bill Holt:
In law enforcement, we train for the worst, but pray it never happens. Yesterday, an inmate viciously and violently attacked one of our deputies. Unfortunately, my deputies had to respond in the way no law enforcement wants to – with deadly force.
One of the deputies suffered multiple gunshot wounds, and the other deputy has suffered the traumatic stress of the incident. The support from our local community has been tremendous, and the assistance from our fellow law enforcement partners including Metro Nashville Police Department and Vanderbilt University Police Department has been incredible and humbling.
The care provided to Josh Wiley and his family by the Metro emergency medical staff and the doctors and nurses from Vanderbilt University Medical Center has been outstanding.
Deputy Wiley is still in critical condition in the Intensive Care Unit after surgery yesterday and is facing major surgery today.
We ask that you continue to keep Deputy Wiley and his family in your prayers. Please also keep Deputy Tomisha Jones and her family in your prayers as she deals with the traumatic stress of this incident.
