Deputy bitten while serving domestic violence protection order

Cleveland County Sheriff’s sergeant attempted to serve a domestic violence protection order on Aaron Lee Thomas, 42, at 2552 Whelchel Rd on Friday, January 13, 2023, at approximately 2:40 p.m. Mr. Thomas was immediately uncooperative, telling the sergeant “You will have to shoot me!” numerous times. The man retreated into his residence, only to re-emerge aggressively wielding a knife the first time, then with a knife and a machete.

The man went back inside and refused to speak with deputies, who were attempting to de-escalate the situation. A short time later, deputies noticed smoke coming from inside the residence and then saw the man emerge once again, this time holding his large dog by the collar as if he might release it on the deputies.

A deputy was able to use his TASER, which eventually incapacitated the man, causing him to fall back into the front doorway. When the man let loose of his dog, the dog attacked Deputy Robert Taylor, seriously biting him and causing multiple puncture wounds. Another deputy shot and killed the dog, who continued to be in the mode of attack. Once deputies rushed to Mr. Thomas to take him into custody, they saw the interior of the home was on fire. They had to hurriedly drag Mr. Thomas away from the residence that was completely engulfed in