BEDFORD – A Bedford man is facing multiple charges, including two counts of battery against a public safety official, after an incident that began with a medical call on Wednesday night.
James Robert Murray, 47, was arrested on Thursday, June 26, 2025, following an altercation with emergency personnel and police. He is charged with two counts of battery against a public safety official, resisting law enforcement by force, and disorderly conduct.
According to an affidavit for probable cause filed by Bedford Police Officer Zakry E. Brooking, emergency services were dispatched to Murray’s residence at approximately 11:17 p.m. on June 25, 2025, for a report of a 47-year-old male who had fallen and hit his head in the driveway.
Upon arrival, Bedford Fire Department and IU Health EMTs requested police assistance due to Murray’s “behavior and intoxication.” EMTs initially asked officers to wait outside as Murray seemed to calm down, but soon requested assistance again as his behavior escalated.
Officer Brooking observed Murray slurring his speech and being “extremely animated” with his arms, yelling and pointing into the faces of EMTs and firefighters. Due to his increasingly aggressive behavior, emergency medical and fire personnel decided to leave the residence. As they were exiting, Murray reportedly chased after them, refusing commands to sit down and attempting to push past officers to go outside.
During a struggle to restrain him, Murray fell backward onto the stairs. Officers eventually got him into a seated position, at which point he stated, “Take me to jail.” He continued to resist as officers placed him in handcuffs.
Once standing, Murray allegedly turned and spat into Officer Brooking’s face, striking his cheek, and uttered a derogatory comment. He then refused to walk to the ambulance cot, trying to turn back towards the officer. At the cot, he fell face down before being seated. When told to put his legs on the cot, Murray reportedly refused, then lifted his right leg and kicked Officer Daugherty in the stomach and hip.
Murray was then forcibly placed into a patrol vehicle and transported to IU Health for treatment of injuries sustained in his initial fall, including bleeding from his head, nose, mouth, and a scrape on his knee. At the hospital, Murray continued to be uncooperative, yelling despite being told to refrain and disrupting patients and staff. He eventually dropped to the ground, refusing to get up, and had to be placed into ankle and arm restraints by hospital staff for medical evaluation and a CT scan.
After being medically cleared, Murray was released from the hospital and transported to the Lawrence County Jail for housing.
All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. This article is based on the information provided in the Probable Cause Affidavit and does not represent a final determination of guilt or innocence.
