On May 5, 2015 at 2:20pm The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call from Columbia Correctional Institution (CCI) reporting a stabbing to a staff member. Detectives responded to CCI and arrived within minutes of the call. Divine Savior Hospital (DSH) EMS staff was also called and transported the victim to the hospital. The victim received non life–threatening injuries and was treated and released.
It was learned that an inmate had armed himself with a sharp pencil and attacked the correctional sergeant. The Sergeant was stabbed multiple times in the head and neck area. The Sergeant received numerous penetrating wounds. The Sergeant was able to defend himself and gain control of the inmate attacker who was subsequently restrained with the help of other correctional guards.
The weapon was recovered.
The suspect inmate is identified as Luis Ramirez. He is serving a 40 year sentence for armed robbery and has a history of battery and assaults on law enforcement.
The investigation is ongoing and charges of attempted first degree intentional homicide are being referred to the Columbia County District Attorney’s Office against Inmate Luis Ramirez age 39 formerly of Milwaukee.
Sheriff Dennis Richards