LAWRENCE CO., Ill.—Lawrence County’s court security officer has been placed on administrative leave following an episode of alleged violence last night against a restrained subject.
While details are scant, Disclosure has learned that court security officer Mike Rich, who has been with Lawrence County in some capacity for a number of years (formerly as a jailer), was involved in an altercation last night after the arrest of Gary McMahon, 50, of Jefferson County.
McMahon was in Lawrence County visiting a son and allegedly got into a domestic with him, resulting in a bleeding head wound. When authorities were called to the scene, they took both McMahons in. Gary McMahon was reportedly extremely intoxicated and had to be restrained after he became combative.
However, at some point while in the restraint chair, he was able to spit on Rich, the spittle accompanied by blood from the bleeding head wound. Rich is reported to have subsequently then issued a kick to McMahon’s chest.
McMahon was taken to the hospital in Lawrenceville for stitches to the head wound, and there was reportedly no injury suffered from the kick.
However, a complaint was made, and Lawrence County Sheriff Russell Adams opted to have Illinois State Police brought in, in order to thoroughly investigate it. In the interim, Rich has been placed on paid administrative leave, pending outcome of the investigation.
We’ll have the full details on the matter in the upcoming print version, on stands in Lawrence County this coming Wednesday, September 10.