SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas jail deputy was injured during an altercation with an inmate Friday at the Sedgwick County Detention Facility.
Just after 8a.m. Friday, the deputy attempted to collect the breakfast tray of inmate 34-year-old Joshua Ratcliff in Pod 17 for it to be sent back to the kitchen to be cleaned, according to Sheriff's Lt. Nathan Gibbs.
While collecting the tray, the Ratcliff walked out of his cell and into the dayroom of the pod. Ratcliff was not authorized to be in the dayroom of the pod at that time and was directed to return to his cell. Ratcliff became upset and struck the deputy with a closed first to the side of the face.
A physical altercation ensued. At one point, Ratcliff attempted to drag the deputy inside of a cell. The deputy was able to free himself and returned to his desk in the dayroom. A response team arrived to assist the deputy. It was determined by on-site medical professionals that the deputy had a significant wound to the face; therefore, the deputy was taken to a local area hospital for care.
Ratcliff has been in the custody of the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office since February 29, 2024, for a Parole violation. He has previous felony convictions for drugs and criminal Possession of a weapon, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.
The Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Unit is investigating the incident and will present their findings to the District Attorney’s Office for criminal charges.