A Middlesex, Massachusetts correctional officer was hospitalized recently after suffering serious injuries during an attack by an inmate at the Middlesex Jail and House of Corrections.
The Middlesex Sheriff’s Office said the alleged attack, carried out by Patrick D. Litchfield, 32, on April 26, was unprovoked.
The injured officer has since been released from the hospital and is currently recovering at home, while Litchfield — who has been charged for past incidents at the jail — is facing several new offenses.
“This assault demonstrates how difficult and dangerous the job of a corrections officer can be,” Sheriff Peter Koutoujian said. “In a split moment, this officer went from speaking to an inmate to surviving a violent attack. We have rallied around this officer to ensure he and his family have the support they need, now and in the weeks ahead.”
On Thursday, the Sheriff’s Office said they obtained a warrant related to the attack, charging Litchfield with assault and battery on a correctional employee, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury, aggravated assault and battery, intimidating a witness, and resisting arrest.
The Sheriff’s Office said members of the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office Peer Support Team and licensed clinicians responded to the facility immediately after the incident.
“Team members were on site throughout the weekend and will continue to support the injured officer and all members of the MSO,” they said in a press release.
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