LAWTON, Okla. – On the evening of August 27, 2026, Officer Jeramy Edison was checking the welfare of an inmate at the Chief James Smith Correctional Center when another inmate attacked him from behind. Officer Edison sustained blunt force trauma injuries and was transported to an outside medical provider for treatment. He has since been treated and released from the hospital.
The assault occurred in a designated housing area used to closely monitor inmates who have recently exhibited signs of being under the influence of illegal drugs. The inmate responsible for physically assaulting Officer Edison did not want to remain in that housing area and believed that assaulting a correctional officer would result in his placement in a different housing assignment.
While one inmate physically assaulted Officer Edison, other inmates were involved in coordinating the attack. The Oklahoma Department of Corrections Office of Inspector General is conducting a comprehensive investigation into the incident. ODOC will pursue prosecution of every inmate determined to have participated in planning, coordinating, facilitating, or carrying out this assault.
Correctional officers work in an inherently dangerous environment and face risks every day that are largely unseen by the public. The presence of illegal drugs and contraband cell phones inside correctional facilities makes an already dangerous profession even more dangerous. Illegal drugs contribute to unpredictable behavior, violence, medical emergencies, and serious security threats. Contraband cell phones allow inmates to coordinate illegal activity, facilitate the movement of drugs and other contraband, and communicate in ways that threaten the safety of staff and inmates.
The assault on Officer Edison is a stark reminder of the dangers correctional officers face simply by reporting to work and carrying out their responsibility to protect others. ODOC will continue to aggressively combat illegal drugs, contraband cell phones, and other threats to the safety and security of our facilities. Violence against correctional officers will not be tolerated, and every individual responsible for this attack will be held accountable.
Additional information will be released as appropriate as the investigation progresses.
