Jim Hammond
James Hammond IVHamilton County Sheriff Jim Hammond's son was arrested Monday morning and charged with domestic assault after investigators believe he hit his wife in the head with a beer bottle.
Investigators say James Hammond IV, 41, got into an argument with his wife on Sunday that ended with her in the hospital.
At the hospital, James Hammond's wife told deputies that her husband "jumped her" when she got out of the shower Sunday, punched her in the face, pushed her into a mirror and shattered it, then struck her in the head with a beer bottle.
She required several staples to close the wound to her head.
Investigators found blood in James Hammond's bathroom in his home on Signal Mountain, as well as a shattered mirror, clothing with blood on it and other evidence that corroborated the wife's story, according to the affidavit.
James Hammond let investigators inspect his home and said that he and his wife had been arguing most of the day. He said she hit him several times in the face and that he had "had enough."
He told investigators that he struck his wife with a beer bottle.
James Hammond has been charged with aggravated assault and is being held in the Hamilton County Jail on a $20,000 bond. His employer is listed on his affidavit as being the Hamilton County Sheriff's Department. According to a 2014 budget, James Hammond is webmaster for the sheriff's office. He makes $44,236 a year.
James Hammond has been placed on administrative leave, according to a news release from the sheriff's office.
The sheriff has recused himself from any of the internal proceedings regarding his son and has referred those to Chief Deputy Allen Branum, the release stated.
"I would only say I've turned it over to my chief deputy to handle and I've recused myself from it," Jim Hammond said.
James Hammond is set to appear in court Feb. 2.
He has previously been cited for speeding in 2004, driving without a license in 1996 and driving with a suspended license in 1995.
Stay with the Times Free Press for updates on this developing story.
Story updated at 11:52 a.m. with details about James Hammond's job at the sheriff's office.