By Rita Cook
Correspondence
ELLIS COUNTY – Ellis County Law Enforcement agencies and residents are mourning the death of Ellis County Detention Officer 28-year-old Isaiah Bias who was murdered Monday afternoon by an Ellis County jail inmate at the Wayne McCollum Detention Center.
Bias died, according to Ellis County Sheriff Brad Norman after he was assaulted by 45-year-old Arron Semeion Thompson from Ennis.
Thompson had been in the Ellis County Jail since November 11, 2024 and has seven offenses; three offenses of Assaulting a Peace Officer/Judge, 2nd degree felonies; Resisting arrest, search or transport, a Class A misdemeanor; Public Intoxication, a Class C misdemeanor; Evading arrest with a previous conviction, a State Jail Felony; and now an additional charge of murder, a Capital Felony.
Thompson’s bond is set at $2,082,500. He was arraigned and issued a bond of $2,000.000 for the Capital Murder charge.
Thompson attacked Bias at 3:45 p.m. Monday. He had been in a segregated area where he spent 23 hours per day alone in his cell. The attack happened as Thompson was being transferred back to his cell after his one hour out.
According to the affidavit, Bias was escorting Thompson back to his cell on the second floor when Thompson hit him in the head with his hand. He then choked him from behind and repeatedly struck him. Thompson then returned to the first floor and sat down at a table.
Officer Bias began working for the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office out of high school. According to Sheriff Norman he left the department for several years to study at Navarro College but then returned.
As a teenager Bias also participated in the Ellis County Sheriff’s Explorers program, which provides training and leadership skills to teens who are interested in a career in law enforcement.
“Everybody in the jail loved him, he was one of those guys if you needed help, he would help you… an outstanding person,” Sheriff Norman said.
Sheriff Norman also said the ultimate decision will be made by the Ellis County District Attorney’s Office whether they will seek the death penalty in this case.
https://www.facebook.com/SheriffBradNorman/videos/478466664842994
“If I have anything to say about it that is exactly what will happen,” Norman said in the press conference Tuesday morning. “I believe they will ask my opinion as well as the [Texas] Ranger that worked this case, but the ultimate decision lies on the District Attorney’s Office.”
When asked by a journalist at the press conference why the death penalty, Norman said, “Because it was a heinous, purposeful murder that was senseless.”
Sheriff Norman also told reporters that an Ellis County Mental Health Coordinator has been on hand since the murder; as well as members from the North Texas Behavioral Authority, offering counseling to staff.
At the request of Sheriff Norman, the Texas Ranger Division, Texas Department of Public Safety, is investigating the murder.
This is an ongoing investigation and there are no further details to at this time, according to William Lockridge, Sergeant, Safety Education, Media and Communications, Texas Department of Public Safety.
Sidebar: condolences by local Ellis County Law Enforcement Departments:
The Waxahachie Police Department posted on their Facebook page: “Our city sits in the heart of Ellis County, and today the men and women who serve Ellis County are in our hearts. As a teenager, Isaiah began working with his brothers and sisters at the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office in the Explorer Program before becoming a detention officer as an adult. We grieve because he was taken from us much too soon with so much potential and so much life left to live. We mourn the senseless and tragic loss of a public servant who dedicated the majority of his life to helping this community. Our hearts ache for his loved ones and his family who wear the uniform. Rest easy, Corporal Bias. Thank you for your service.”
The Ennis Police Department posted: “End of Watch: December 16, 2024. It is with a heavy heart that we announce the tragic loss of Detention Officer Isaiah Bias of the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office. Isaiah was murdered in the line of duty while serving at the Ellis County Jail. Our thoughts and prayers extend to Isaiah’s family, friends, and all his colleagues at the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office. Events like this remind us to cherish our loved ones and hold them a little tighter tonight. We also pray that God brings peace to those mourning their loved ones during this difficult time.”
The Red Oak Police Department Facebook posted: “Chief Garland Wolf and the members of the Red Oak Police Department share in the tragic and untimely loss of Ellis County Detention Officer Isaiah Bias who was heinously assaulted by an inmate and later succumbed to his injuries. We extend our deepest condolences and prayers to both his family and the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office family. We stand in solidarity with them and mourn the loss of Isaiah Bias who was selflessly serving the citizens of Ellis County.”
