Correctional officer seriously injured by inmate in Sherburne County

A correctional officer was assaulted and sent to the hospital with serious injuries after being attacked by an inmate.

According to Sherburne County Sheriff's Office, at 11:33 a.m. on Monday, a 50-year-old correctional officer was performing his routine duties on the second floor of the housing unit when he passed 24-year-old Hakeem Alexander Coles, an inmate who was on the phone.

After the correctional officer walked by, Coles put the phone down and struck him on the head from behind.

The correctional officer fell to the ground and Coles continued to assault him, striking him multiple times in the head, according to the sheriff's office. Other officers then responded and took Coles into custody.

Coles is a U.S. Marshals Service inmate being held on federal first-degree aggravated robbery charges.

Complaint: Fired Cowboy Jack's security employee armed with shotgun punches manager, steals $24K

Coles have not been charged yet for the attack but could face additional federal charges, the sheriff's office said.

The correctional officer has worked at the jail for 16 years and is expected to make a full recovery, according to the sheriff's office. He was not immediately identified.

Sherburne Co. Commissioner Tim Dolan on Tuesday issued the following statement to KSTP:

"This situation illustrates the risks our officers make every day in serving the public. Safety is always a high priority in Sherburne County. My thoughts are with the officer and his family in wishing for a speedy and full recovery. I have the utmost respect for all of our officers and will always have their backs while they perform their duties for our community."