Jones County Sheriff’s Department Corrections Officer Stabbed; Valiantly Prevents Escape of Inmate Despite Injury

A Jones County Sheriff’s Department Corrections Officer valiantly prevented the escape of an inmate on Wednesday afternoon following a medical clinic visit in Ellisville despite being stabbed in the arm with a sharp edge “shank” fashioned from disposable plastic spoons that are issued for meals at the jail.

JCSD Corrections Officer Jason Godwin had transported inmate Jason Sandy Blackledge, who is incarcerated on charges of Failure To Register As A Sex Offender, in a JCSD Corrections van and was preparing to return him to the Jones County Adult Detention Facility when Blackledge attempted to flee on foot. After being caught by Officer Godwin, Blackledge attacked Officer Godwin with the sharpened “shank” made from disposable plastic spoons and a shredded blanket. Officer Godwin was stabbed in the arm during the altercation and escape attempt. Despite being injured in the attack, Officer Godwin was able to prevent the inmate from escaping and detained him until three police units arrived from the Ellisville Police Department along with multiple JCSD units. Blackledge had been captured in Jackson, Mississippi by the Jackson Police Department, with the assistance of state and federal agencies, after failing to register as a sex offender and fleeing Jones County earlier this year. He was returned to Jones County and booked into the Jones County Adult Detention Center on November 18, 2020.

Sheriff Joe Berlin notes, “Corrections Officer Jason Godwin performed his duties admirably in the face of extreme danger and stopped Jason Sandy Blackledge from escaping from custody in Ellisville despite sustaining a stab wound and being in a spirited fight with the suspect.” Berlin adds, “Fortunately, Officer Godwin’s injuries are non-life threatening and he was treated and returned to duty. Officer Godwin’s actions were certainly ‘heroic’ and he prevented a dangerous felon from escaping into the community even after being injured in a direct attack. We greatly appreciate the immediate response by the Ellisville Police Department to our call for help during this incident.”

Blackledge is being charged in the incident with Aggravated Assault On A Corrections Officer and Attempted Escape in addition to his existing Failure To Register As A Sex Offender charge. JCSD Captain Vince Williams is leading the investigation into the incident.