He was trying to kill me Hennepin County deputy returns to work at jail after brutal assault by inmate

Hennepin County detention deputy Matthew Durette endured a brutal assault by inmate Gregory Jorge Garcia, who punched him 36 times and choked him during a two-minute attack in November 2023. Garcia, 24, received a 15-year prison sentence for the incident, which Durette described as an attempt to kill him. Durette had decided to uncuff Garcia, believing the inmate was compliant, but was quickly overpowered. The assault caused Durette to sustain lifelong injuries, including a traumatic brain injury and multiple fractures, necessitating nine months of recovery and several surgeries. An inmate who witnessed the attack called for aid, which likely saved Durette's life.

Investigators initially charged Garcia with multiple assault counts but later sought to add an attempted murder charge based on the severity of Durette's injuries. The incident highlights the risks faced by law enforcement officers in correctional facilities. Durette's determination to return to work underscores his resilience in the face of such violence.