A Lamar County deputy was bitten while investigating a suspicious vehicle early Friday, police said. The deputy shot her assailant, police said.
Just after 9:15 a.m. Friday, Maj. Leslie Holmes encountered Joy Lynn Day’s vehicle at the intersection of Old Hwy. 41 and Brown Springs Road, the Lamar County Sheriff’s Office said Saturday in an emailed statement. She thought Day, 39, of Griffin, was under heavy medication or illegal narcotics, authorities said. As Maj. Holmes inspected the vehicle, she found methamphetamine and attempted to arrest Day, authorities said.
“Day began fighting with Maj. Holmes trying to get her handgun,” the sheriff’s office said in the statement. “While they were fighting on the ground, Day told Maj. Holmes she was HIV positive and bit Maj. Holmes on her right arm. Day stated numerous times that she wanted to die. Maj. Holmes was able to retrieve her firearm during the fight and fired four rounds striking Day once in the left arm.”
Maj. Holmes was treated and released from the Upson County Hospital. Day was treated and released from Spalding County Hospital. Day is currently being held at the Lamar County Sheriff’s Office on charges of aggravated assault against a police officer, obstruction of a law enforcement officer and possession of methamphetamine.
She is currently awaiting a bond hearing.
The Lamar County Sheriff’s Office and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation are investigating the incident.
Lamar County is more than 50 miles south of Atlanta.
— Staff writer Rodney Thrash contributed to this report.
About the Author
