By Jessie Burchette
Salisbury Post
A former deputy sheriff who was injured chasing an escaped prisoner will receive more than $550,000 in a settlement with Rowan County.
Fifty-year-old Cheryle Rabon is scheduled to receive $577,653 from the county and its insurance carrier.
Much of the money will go to pay medical costs, according to David Shelby, Rabon’s attorney.
Under the county’s self-insurance plan, the actual cost to the county will be $250,000. The insurance company will pay the remaining $304,000. The insurance carrier made the decision to settle.
Rabon was injured during a jail break on Oct. 22, 2002. She was working as a bailiff when two men awaiting trial tampered with a door to a holding cell in the courtroom.
The two men, Danny Steven Kendall, and Bryan Johnson, both of China Grove, were captured a few minutes later within blocks of the Rowan County Justice Center.
The escape prompted the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office to change procedures for handling prisoners in the courtroom area.
At the time of the incident, there were no press reports of injuries to anyone involved.
Shelby said Rabon sustained a very severe injury to her nervous system that is both complex and extremely painful.
Rabon sustained injuries when she fell while chasing one of the suspects.
Speaking for his client, Shelby said Rabon is disgusted with the Sheriff’s Office and how officials there treated her in contending that she suffered only a minor injury.
Shelby said Rabon has undergone extensive treatment and continues to receive treatment.
A portion of the settlement, $166,000, will be used to buy an annuity to cover future medical costs.
Rabon worked intermittently in the Sheriff’s Office for a couple years after the incident.
Rabon joined the department in 1993 and worked in various jobs, including serving as resource officer at Erwin Middle School for several years.
The agreement has been submitted to the N.C. Industrial Commission.
The Rowan County Board of Commissioners is scheduled to approve a budget amendment of $577,653 at its meeting Tuesday evening.
The county will subsequently be reimbursed by its insurance carrier.
Ken Deal, director of administrative services, said Wednesday that the amount of the settlement is one of the largest ever for the county involving a worker’s compensation claim.
Contact Jessie Burchette at 704-797-4254 or jburchette@salisburypost.com.