An incident involving an inmate at the Saline County Detention Center got him in more trouble and left one deputy injured.
On Friday March 12, 2022, around 6:30 p.m., inmate Alan Jeffcoat, age 52, of Benton instigated an altercation with two Detention Deputies, according to a report from the Saline County Sheriff’s Office. The Deputies stated that they were outside B Pod to speak with another inmate, when Jeffcoat forced his way out of the pod door. The inmate then proceeded to become aggressive with both deputies and tried to walk away from the pod.
While Deputies attempted to keep Jeffcoat inside the pod, he began actively resisting. The report says the two Deputies “assisted Jeffcoat to the ground, by use of minimal force necessary.”
While attempting to restrain Jeffcoat, the first deputy advised if he did not comply, he would get tased. The the report says Jeffcoat began swinging his arms and kicking at deputies. Two separate times, the deputy drive stunned Jeffcoat. The inmate then began to comply and allowed handcuffs to be placed on his wrist.
During the incident, the deputy’s wrist was cut. His wrist was cleaned and bandaged at the detention center by staff. Photographs were taken of the injury as well. Video footage was viewed while at the detention center and will be added to the case file.
Jeffcoat was charged with 2 counts of Aggravated assault Upon a Law Enforcement Officer. He was already in detention after a recent arrest involving the Endangering of the Welfare of a Minor – 1st Degree.
The Saline County Sheriff’s Office is currently accepting applications for Detention Deputies. Detention Officers are required to attend an in-house Detention Officer Training Academy. They also promote Detention officers to the Patrol Division if they complete two years of service and pass an oral board to become a Deputy Sheriff. Detention Officers qualify for (APERS) Arkansas Public Employees Retirement System, Arkansas Blue Cross/Blue Shield Insurance, vision and dental insurance and uniforms are provided. Contact the County of Saline Personnel Office at the Saline County Courthouse or visit this link to open county positions.
