ELK COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities in Elk County are investigating

Just after 1p.m. on August 25 a deputy with Elk County Sheriff’s Department was at the Shawnee County Department of Corrections in Topeka to pickup an inmate for transfer back to the Elk County Jail, according to a media release.

While the deputy was in the booking area patting the inmate down before transport, another inmate identified as William Portal, 25, noticed the deputy bent over, and attacked the deputy from behind.

Portal punching the side of the deputy’s head with his fist.

Once the deputy realized what was going on the suspect backed up and got into a fighting stance ready to fight officers in the room.

The deputy was not severely injured but did have some pain shortly after.

Portal is being held at the Shawnee County Jail pending a charge of battery on a Law Enforcement Office, according to Shawnee County Sheriff’s Sgt. Todd Stallbaumer.