8
IMPACT GEORGIA MAGAZINE
BEYOND THE CALL
On the morning of August 16, 2019, while making rounds in restrictive housing at Valdosta State Prison, a Correctional Officer observed that an offender had tied a torn piece of blanket around his neck and was acting erratically. The Officer stayed with the offender maintaining observation and relayed a need for assistance.
Unit Manager (UM) Rick Allen and Captain (Cpt.) Jimmy Miles responded, to find the offender was standing on the toilet and had tied the other end of the torn blanket to the vent above. The offender refused to talk or comply with any requests. Staff spotted an object that appeared to be a weapon in his right hand, and fearing the inmate would injure himself, the decision was made to enter the cell with tasers pointed.
As staff entered the cell, the offender jumped off the toilet and went to the back of his cell using his mattress as a shield. Cpt. Miles attempted to calm the agitated inmate, who quickly lunged and began attacking staff with a second metal object he had hidden in his left hand.
While gaining control of the offender, UM Allen was struck in the upper left chest with a homemade weapon. Cpt. Miles was struck in the upper left arm, lower right arm, right facial area below his eye and directly in his left chest area over his heart, which was stopped by his state-issued stab proof vest.
Even while suffering injuries, Cpt Miles along with the Deputy Warden of Security and Correctional Officers restrained the offender in order to keep him from causing further harm to himself or other staff.
12
Unit Manager Rick Allen
Valdosta State Prison
Captain
Jimmy Miles
Valdosta State Prison
Both Captain Miles and Unit Manager Allen showed tremendous courage as they went above and beyond to control an offender intent on causing harm to himself and others.