It started with deputies attempting to serve a simple misdemeanor warrant. It ended with an apartment full of shouting, a blocked staircase, and a suspect’s leg dangling through a busted ceiling tile.
According to a report from the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office, deputies attempted to locate a man wanted on an outstanding warrant. When officers knocked on the door, a woman answered and insisted he wasn’t there. But deputies had already seen a man matching the wanted suspect’s description peeking through a window seconds earlier.
As officers explained why they were at the residence, the woman repeatedly refused to allow them inside, demanded to put on clothing, and stalled at the door. Family members began arriving after she called them, and she continued insisting the man inside was “not the person” deputies were looking for.
Deputies warned her multiple times that blocking their efforts would be considered obstruction. When she physically blocked the stairway as officers moved to enter, deputies escorted her outside to keep her from interfering. She screamed, resisted escort, and continued yelling about her children as deputies placed her in a patrol car for the duration of the search.
Inside the apartment, deputies heard heavy movement upstairs and soon found two young children sleeping. They were safely escorted out by relatives while officers continued searching. Moments later, deputies discovered loose insulation under an attic access panel — followed by movement above the ceiling.
Deputies ordered the man to come out. He stayed silent.
Then a leg came crashing through the drywall.
Officers identified the man as Joseph Sherman, who eventually crawled out of the attic and surrendered. He complained of a leg injury from the fall and was taken to the hospital for clearance before being transported to the Lawrence County Jail.
Sherman was wanted on a misdemeanor warrant and was taken into custody without further incident.
Deputies say the woman who attempted to block them was not arrested, but a criminal report for possible obstruction has been forwarded to the prosecutor for review. She later apologized and told deputies she had not taken her anxiety medication and was frightened for her children.
With the ceiling in shambles and the warrant served, deputies cleared the scene.
