Effingham County Jail Altercation Between Officers, Inmate Settled

On Wednesday, June 24, an altercation occurred between an inmate and Correctional Officers inside the Effingham County Jail.

At approximately 11:08 pm, two Effingham County Correctional Officers were performing a routine cell check when Matthew Rauch, an inmate at the jail, rushed the Officers in an attempt to get past them. A struggle ensued and the inmate was taken to the ground and subdued. An Effingham County Deputy also responded and assisted in securing Rauch. He was placed in an isolation cell without incident. Other than a few scratches and minor bruises on all parties involved, there were no injuries.

Rauch has been charged with two counts of Aggravated Battery to a Correctional Officer and Attempted Escape from a Penal Institution.

In a statement, Sheriff Dave Mahon commended the officers and Deputy for their quick response "in defusing the incident without causing injury to the inmate," and that they "utilized their training and followed protocol thus restoring order and maintaining the security of the jail."