PHOENIX — A detention officer has died after he was attacked at a jail Tuesday. The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office says one of their officers was attacked at Lower Buckeye Jail.
Authorities held a news conference Wednesday afternoon to provide additional information on the incident.
According to officials, Detention Officer Gene Lee was a 6-year veteran of MCSO and while at work, without any initial interaction, he was attacked by an inmate.
The inmate grabbed Lee by the throat and swept his legs out from under him, causing his head to hit the floor, officials said. Two detention officers immediately took the suspect into custody after the incident.
Lee died surrounded by his family at the hospital Wednesday night, the sheriff's office said in a statement.
