Prisoner struck jailer repeatedly in the head

WAXAHACHIE – Ellis County detention officer Isaiah Bias was grabbed from behind, choked and struck in the head repeatedly before collapsing on the second floor of the jail into a pool of his own blood, according to an affidavit.

Arron Semeion Thompson, 45, attacked the detention officer as he was getting ready to escort the inmate back to his jail cell. 

Bias, a 28-year-old employee, was with the county for more than six years.

investigators stated, “It was a heinous, horrific, purposeful murder that was senseless and not needed,” Ellis County Sheriff Brad Norman said during a news conference last week to announce the death of the county employee.

Thompson was charged with capital murder in connection with the slaying, and his bail was set at $2-million, according to a news release from the sheriff’s office.

The fatal attack was captured in “video recordings from several cameras,” according to an affidavit.

Thompson, seated at a table in the holding area on the first floor, followed the corrections officer to the second floor and “struck him in the head using his right fist,” causing Bias to fall on the ground, according to an arrest warrant affidavit.

With his arm about Bias’ neck, Thompson choked him from behind, the affidavit stated. 

The inmate then began striking Bias “in the head area with his right fist, right knee and right foot.” 

After Thompson stopped striking Bias, he returned to the first floor and sat at a table, according to the affidavit.

This is when another officer arrived and handcuffed him. Ellis County Sheriff’s Office employees responded to the scene about 3:45 p.m. Norman said life-saving measures were performed on Bias before he was taken to Baylor Scott & White Medical Center in Waxahachie, where he was pronounced dead.

“Everybody here that worked with him in the jail loved him,” Norman said during the news conference. “He was one of the kind of guys [that] if you needed help, he’d come help you. Outstanding person.” 

Officials said Thompson had been in the Ellis County jail since early last month on three counts of assault on a public servant in addition to evading arrest.

Since the attack on Bias, he’s been transferred out of Ellis County jail and was being held in Dallas County jail last Wednesday afternoon.

A memorial was set up at the Ellis County sheriff’s office headquarters to honor and remember Bias, according to the department’s Facebook page. The building is at 300 S. Jackson St. in Waxahachie.

“We welcome anyone who would like to stop by, pay their respects, or leave flowers or notes,” the Facebook post said. “Let’s come together to celebrate his life and the impact he had on all of us. Thank you for your support during this difficult time.”