A Bradley County deputy sheriff was transported to Tennova Hospital on Monday night after an injury while on duty.
Deputies James Dearth and Jimmy Dale Liner were attempting to speak to Mark Nelson, 50, after having been called to a residence at 300 Talon Ridge Drive on a disturbance. The deputies met Nelson in an upstairs room in the house, where he became aggressive.
Deputy Dearth deployed his tazer on Nelson, with no affect, while Deputy Liner attempted to keep all three men from falling down the flight of stairs.
Nelson then pushed Deputy Dearth’s foot, causing the officer to lose his balance and fall down 16 stairs. Deputy Dearth made it back up the stairs, where Deputy Liner still held Nelson.
At that point, Deputy Dearth was able to successfully deploy his tazer on Nelson, who was then handcuffed. Deputy James Dearth and Nelson were transported to Tennova Hospital by Bradley County EMS without further incident.
Nelson has been charged with aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer.