A group of Texas inmates sprang into action after their lone guard suffered an apparent heart attack and lost consciousness.
At least eight inmates were being held in a single cell in the basement of the District Courts Building in Weatherford when their guard passed out and slumped over in his on chair June 23, a local ABC News affiliate reported.
“He just fell over,” inmate Nick Kelton said Thursday. “Looked like an act. Could have died right there.”
He said they started shouting for help before they managed to bust out of their holding room. Video of the incident showed the handcuffed inmates rushing over to the officer, who reportedly didn’t have a pulse.
“We were worried they’re going to come with guns drawn on us,” Mr. Kelton said, adding, “It never crossed my mind not to help, whether [or not if] he’s got a gun or a badge.”
The inmates screamed and banged on doors until the deputies upstairs in court came running, ABC News reported.
“They thought it was a fight,” said inmate Floyd Smith. “They thought we were taking over.”
Parker County Sheriff’s Sgt. Ryan Speegle said he didn’t know what to expect when he got downstairs. He quickly corralled the inmates back into their cell.
“He had keys,” Sgt. Speegle said of the jailer. “Had a gun. It could have been an extremely bad situation.”
Deputies started CPR and paramedics arrived and resuscitated the guard, who was not identified. He is expected to return to work next week.
Capt. Mark Arnett said the prisoners likely saved the guard’s life.
“He could have been there 15 minutes before any other staff walked in and found him,” Capt. Arnett said.
The cell the inmates broke out of was since reinforced, ABC News reported.
• Jessica Chasmar can be reached at jchasmar@washingtontimes.com.
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