Tampa inmates rescue jail guard in attack

TAMPA, Fla., Nov. 5 (UPI) -- The commander of a Florida jail credited inmates with saving the life of a guard who was being beaten by another prisoner.

Hillsborough County Sheriff's Col. James Previtera told reporters that a group of inmates at the county jail near Tampa jumped in to rescue the 64-year-old deputy as he was being beaten and choked by an accused drug defendant in his 20s.

"The response of the inmates in this case, I think, speaks volumes as to the fact that we treat these men and women ... in our facilities with a lot of respect," Previtera said.

CNN said Thursday that surveillance video showed Deputy Kenneth Moon, who was on duty alone, allegedly being throttled by 24-year-old Douglas Burden. Other inmates jumped in on Moon's behalf, pulling Burden off the officer and holding him down while one prisoner used Moon's radio to call for help.

Moon wasn't seriously injured and Burden was moved to administrative confinement.