Thursday, March 4, 2010
Trio Indicted For Shooting TWRA Officer
A Lawrence County Grand Jury has opted to return multiple indictments against a Summertown father and sons in connection with a series of burglaries in the area’s Amish Community as well as the shooting of a Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) officer.
Father Joe Howard Swafford, 50, along with sons Patrick Wayne Swafford, 20, and James Clayton Swafford, 24, have remained incarcerated through the Lawrence County Jail since their arrest on burglary and attempted murder charges in December, 2009.
The Swaffords were confronted by residents of the Henryville Road area the morning of December 30 regarding what they were doing outside an Amish home. Once confronted they allegedly got into their car and drove down a dead end road.
TWRA Officer Jeff Hummel came upon the scene and the residents explained the situation. Hummel then proceeded to the area to which the Swaffords had driven.
When he confronted the men James Swafford allegedly shot Hummel three times. The trio then stole Hummel’s TWRA truck and fled.
Lawrence County Sheriff Kenny Taylor was flagged down by the residents moments later and responded to Hummel’s location. He reported seeing the men flee in Hummel’s truck.
Though he had sustained gunshot wounds to the left shoulder and arm as well as his lower back, Hummel got into the truck with Taylor and they pursued the fleeing suspects.
Reports indicated they chased the trio for more than a mile until the driver crashed the truck into a ditch. The Swaffords then exited the truck and fled on foot into a wooded area. Both Taylor and Hummel gave chase, eventually capturing all three suspects.
Shortly afterwards Hummel was airlifted to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville. He was treated, then released from the facility, returning home to recuperate.
After considering evidence presented in connection with the case, members of the grand jury returned numerous indictments including the following:
*James Clayton Swafford – two counts aggravated burglary, theft over $500, theft over $1,000, two counts vandalism under $500, vandalism over $1,000, especially aggravated robbery, and attempted first degree murder.
*Joe Howard Swafford – two counts aggravated burglary, theft over $500, theft over $1,000, two counts vandalism under $500, two counts vandalism over $1,000, criminal responsibility for conduct of another, to-wit; attempted first degree murder, and criminal responsibility for conduct of another; to-wit; especially aggravated robbery.
*Patrick Wayne Swafford – two counts aggravated burglary, theft over $500, theft over $1,000, two counts vandalism under $500, and vandalism over $1,000.
.
