Inmate reportedly assaults deputy at Thurston County jail Wednesday

A person incarcerated at the Thurston County jail allegedly punched a corrections officer in the face and tried to take the officer’s keys Wednesday morning, Sheriff Derek Sanders said.

Sanders detailed the incident in a Facebook post.

The alleged assault occurred after the person exited their cell for recreation time. The deputy released them from their cell, and Sanders said the person punched the deputy in the face before pinning them against the wall grates on the second tier of cells and grabbing the deputy’s cell keys.

According to Sanders, the person continued to hold on to the deputy’s cell keys as the deputy returned “hand strikes” to the person’s head. A second deputy used their knee to strike the person’s rib cage, causing them to let go of the first deputy’s cell keys.

Sanders confirmed the deputy was treated and cleared at the hospital.

The incarcerated person was originally detained for second-degree assault after being accused of stabbing a grocery store employee, but they are now likely to face additional criminal charges for assaulting the corrections officer.

This story was originally published May 29, 2025 at 1:58 PM.