Jailer killed by inmate in ‘heinous, horrific, purposeful murder,’ Texas sheriff says
A 28-year-old Ellis County detention officer was beaten to death by an inmate at the county jail on Monday, Dec. 16, officials said.
Isaiah Bias was taken to a hospital in Waxahachie, where he was pronounced dead, Ellis County Sheriff Brad Norman said at a Tuesday, Dec. 17, news conference. Bias had served with the department for six years.
“(Bias) loved what he did,” Norman said. “He loved the people he worked with, and everybody around him loved him.”
The suspect, 45-year-old Arron Semeion Thompson of Ennis, faces a charge of capital murder in the officer’s death. He was sent to another facility after the assault, according to Norman, and is being held on a $2 million bond.
Thompson was booked into the Ellis County Jail in early November on three counts of assault of a public servant, officials said. He was being held in a single cell in a segregated area for 23 hours a day.
Bias was putting Thompson back in his second-floor cell following his recreation time around 3:45 p.m. Monday when the fatal assault occurred, according to the sheriff. Norman described the assault as a “heinous, horrific, purposeful murder that was senseless and not needed.”
He declined to release further details of the assault or say whether Bias was alone or if other detention officers were present, citing the Texas Rangers’ ongoing investigation.
According to an arrest warrant affidavit, Thompson punched Bias in the back of his head and after the officer fell to the ground, the inmate started choking him with an arm around his neck and continued to kick and hit him in the head.
The attack was captured on surveillance video, according to the affidavit. After the assault, Thompson went to the first floor of the jail and sat at a table, where he was handcuffed by other officers, the warrant states.
“Occasionally we deal with bad folks,” Norman said. “I can honestly say that my staff, over the last day, has dealt with pure evil.”
The Ellis County District Attorney’s Office has been contacted, according to Norman, and prosecutors will have the ultimate say on whether or not to seek the death penalty for Thompson.
“If I have anything to say about it, that’s exactly what will happen,” Norman said.
Norman described Bias as an outstanding officer who was always ready to help others. He joined the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office Explorers program at age 14 with a goal of going into law enforcement.
One-on-one counseling is available for all Ellis County Sheriff’s Office staff in the wake of Bias’ death. Norman said the office is cooperating fully with the Texas Rangers’ investigation “to ensure justice is served for our officer and his family.”
In a statement Tuesday, the Texas Rangers said their investigation of the officer’s line-of-duty death is ongoing and they are not releasing further details at this time.
This story was originally published December 17, 2024 at 2:15 PM.
