Two Union Parish deputies faced fierce resistance from suspects in separate incidents Saturday.
At about 9 p.m. Saturday, a uniformed deputy working an off-duty detail at a Union Parish healthcare facility was attacked and strangled by a patient.
In a separate incident, a DWI suspect attempted to take away the arresting deputy’s firearm.
Kitauge M Bennett, 32, of Baton Rouge, a client of the healthcare facility, became irate and began yelling profanities, causing a disturbance. While the deputy attempted to de-escalate the situation, Bennett grew increasingly aggressive, confronting the deputy, stating she was “not afraid of the badge.”
As the deputy attempted to deploy handcuffs, Bennett physically attacked the deputy, striking the deputy in the face several times and attempted to strangle the deputy to the point of almost losing consciousness. Facility staff members intervened and were able to assist in removing Bennett’s hands from the deputy’s neck.
Bennett then fled the facility. The deputy regained composure and pursued Bennett and arrested her after a brief struggle.
Bennett was booked into the Union Parish Detention Center for attempted first degree murder of a peace officer, unlawful disruption of a healthcare facility, and resisting an officer by force or violence. Bail was set at $756,500.
In the second incident, Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a possible impaired driver near Farmerville. A motorist reported encountering a vehicle stopped in the roadway and the driver admitted he was impaired.
When deputies arrived, Clyde L Gandy, III, 68, of Farmerville, admitted to consuming six beers earlier in the day and admitted he was intoxicated. After administering sobriety tests to Gandy, deputies determined he was impaired and should not be operating a motor vehicle.
Gandy resisted attempts to handcuff him by trying to pull away. After a brief struggle, he was placed in custody and escorted to the deputy’s patrol vehicle. Gandy, who was still handcuffed, attempted to remove the deputy’s firearm from its holster. Another struggle ensued and Gandy was finally secured into the vehicle.
Gandy was booked into the Union Parish Detention Center for attempting to disarm a police officer, first offense DWI, and resisting an officer. Gandy’s bail was set at $22,500.
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