MINNEAPOLIS — A sheriff’s deputy, severely injured during a violent assault in November 2023, is sharing his harrowing experience as part of the legal proceedings against the inmate responsible. Matthew Durette, 33, was attacked by Gregory Jorge Garcia, 24, who has since been sentenced to 15 years in prison for the brutal assault.
According to Durette, the incident transpired rapidly while he was escorting Garcia back to his segregated cell. Initially calm and compliant, Garcia’s demeanor shifted dramatically the moment Durette removed his handcuffs. Within seconds, Durette found himself on the receiving end of a barrage of punches and relentless choking, rendering him unconscious multiple times during the two-minute ordeal.
“It felt like he was trying to end my life,” Durette recounted. The attack left him with severe physical injuries, including a broken nose and multiple contusions across his head and upper body. His injuries necessitated nine months of recovery, including several surgeries, significantly affecting both his physical and mental well-being.
Sgt. Diane Nelson, a veteran of the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, described the violence of the assault as unprecedented. “I’ve never witnessed anything this brutal,” she said, highlighting the alarming frequency of such incidents involving inmates and corrections staff.
On the day of the attack, Durette was tasked with safely transporting inmates through the jail’s underground tunnels to their court appearances. Garcia was already in custody for assault, and Durette believed he had acted within proper guidelines when deciding to uncuff him outside his cell. “There was no indication or warning before he struck,” Durette noted.
The chaos prompted another inmate, who witnessed the attack, to call for backup, likely preventing a more tragic outcome. “That inmate probably saved my life,” Nelson stated, emphasizing the importance of communication and vigilance in high-pressure environments.
After the assault, Durette experienced debilitating pain and disorientation but insisted on walking out of the jail, despite his injuries. His determination to return to duty is reflective of a broader commitment to public service; Durette is also a veteran of the Army and plans to transition to a patrol deputy role upon earning his peace officer license.
The severity of the injuries led investigators to pursue an attempted murder charge against Garcia, which was ultimately rejected by a jury. Durette expressed disappointment regarding this outcome, believing it necessary to underscore the seriousness of such attacks on law enforcement officers. “We need to send a message that this sort of behavior cannot be tolerated,” he said.
Having returned to his position at the jail last fall, Durette continues to grapple with the psychological aftermath of the attack, including post-traumatic stress. He acknowledges the inherent risks of the corrections profession but emphasizes that no officer goes to work expecting violence. “It’s part of the reality of the job, but it shouldn’t be considered standard,” he stated.
As the landscape of the correctional system changes, with an increase in violent offenders, Durette remains committed to serving his community, viewing his experience as part of a larger narrative of resilience and duty. “My life has always revolved around service,” he remarked, reinforcing his dedication despite the scars of that fateful day.